They’re singing his praises from on high!

SUPPORTING every performer who treads the boards, appears on radio or the telly – making it all possible, in other words - there will be the person constantly working hard behind the scenes, without whose efforts nothing whatsoever would ever happen.

Sadly, these individuals seldom come to the public’s attention. We watch the show, dig the gig, enjoy a drink in the interval… and then it’s time to go home. Rarely does the average punter really appreciate all the time and hard work that has gone into making their night out so enjoyable.

But now at last it seems there is some justice in this showbiz world of ours because Black Sabbath’s first manager – the legendary Jim Simpson – has lifted the ‘Unsung Hero’ trophy in UK Blues Awards.

Not only that, but tributes were also paid to him by one of Britain’s greatest blues music luminaries, the 1960s rock star Paul Jones.

Jim Simpson managed Ozzy Osbourne and Tony Iommi’s original blues band called Earth in 1969, relaunching them as Black Sabbath as they moved into heavy metal, and arranging the release of their legendary albums Black Sabbath and Paranoid in 1970.

He lost control of Black Sabbath shortly afterwards, but more than 55 years later, Jim is still a household name on the Midlands’ music scene with his Big Bear Music company.

An astonished Jim picked up his ‘Unsung Hero’ award at the UK Blues Federation’s awards ceremony in Milton Keynes. He said: “This is quite staggering. Thanks very much indeed. I’m totally overcome!”

The awards were hosted by Paul Jones, a former singer of Manfred Mann and presenter of The Blues Show on BBC Radio 2 for three decades.

Jones said: “The first of our special awards pays tribute to those who tirelessly work behind the scenes, out of the spotlight, promoting, encouraging, supporting and nurturing blues music in the UK over a prolonged period.

“This year’s Unsung Hero award goes to the founder of Big Bear Records and the director of Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival.”

Jones told the audience how Jim Simpson, working as a photographer at what was then the Birmingham College of Advanced Technology, now renamed Aston University, formed The New Magnolia Jazz Band, opening for the likes of Humphrey Lyttelton and Kenny Ball.

His introduction to the blues had been when his mother took him to see Big Bill Broonzy back in 1952. He was hooked - and from then on there was no stopping him, because a few years later, and at the Students’ Union, he would go on to book artists such as Buddy Guy, Champion Jack Dupree and Jesse Fuller.

After playing the trumpet for rhythm and blues band Locomotive, Jim opened his club Henry's Blueshouse in Birmingham in 1968, where early members included John Osbourne and Anthony Iommi.

Jones explained: “They brought their two mates Terry Butler and Bill Ward and convinced Simpson to promote a gig with their blues band, Earth. He became the manager of this band, soon renamed Black Sabbath, and brought them success with their first two hit albums, Black Sabbath and Paranoid, and their first hit single Paranoid.

“Having parted from the band, he turned all his energy into the blues, bringing the top American blues artists to this country. And during this period, he released 43 albums of American blues on his Big Bear Records label.

“He also loved jazz and swing, and in 1985 promoted the Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival, followed by the Jazz Rag magazine – and they both still exist to this day. After all those decades, Henry’s Blueshouse still presents a weekly gig, promoting both British and American touring bands.”

As well as Henry’s Blueshouse, Jim Simpson’s Big Bear Music company also runs weekly gigs called Birmingham Rocks and Brasshouse Rocks Friday in Birmingham, and a branch of Henry’s Blueshouse every Friday in West Bromwich Indoor Market.

Jim and Big Bear Music are now busy organising what will be the 42^nd consecutive Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival for this summer, running from Friday, July 24 to Sunday, August 2.

So let's all hail our conquering unsung hero... without whom that show would never get on the road!