Two Iconic Rock Bands Had No Idea They Were Being 'Ripped Off' in the '70s

Two Iconic Rock Bands Had No Idea They Were Being 'Ripped Off' in the '70s originally appeared on Parade.

Gentle Giant frontman Derek Shulman recently revealed that back in the 1970s, his band, along with Black Sabbath, were being “ripped off” by their management.

Now 78, Shulman has had a remarkable career, from leading the progressive rock group to becoming a music executive working with giants like Bon Jovi, AC/DC and Yes.

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However, one particular incident from his early days remains a defining moment that changed the trajectory for both him and Black Sabbath.

In his upcoming memoir Giant Steps: My Improbable Journey From Stage Lights To Executive Heights, Shulman recalls discovering that their management company was secretly shortchanging them.

In an animated retelling sketched by his son Noah, Shulman explains how sharing the same managers brought the two bands closer.

Back then, Black Sabbath members claimed they each received only $1,000 for their 1974 California Jam performance, even though the band was paid a reported $250,000 for the appearance.

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“When General Giant suspected they were being ripped off, they did some digging and found out that yes, they were being screwed, but Black Sabbath was being fleeced,” the video says. “So, General Giant informed the metal legends about the debacle."

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Shulman then sat down with Ozzy Osbourne and Tony Iommi to break the news, leaving the Black Sabbath members “understandably horrified.” After getting all the facts, the bands confronted their management together.

"The company, of course, said, 'Oh, don't worry. Everything's tied up in the company. You'll be fine. You'll be okay.'” The band didn’t buy it — and what happened next was quite unexpected.

“Ozzy, who was sitting next to Tony, picked up a bottle of Scotch that he had already drunk and hurled it right at Pat Meehan's head and missed by literally half an inch, and it smashed right against the wall behind him."

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Gentle Giant managed to buy out their contract for £94,000, but Black Sabbath ended up in a legal battle that impeded their recording of Sabotage.

However, one silver lining did emerge — Osbourne wrote “The Writ,” one of Black Sabbath’s rare songs featuring lyrics from the frontman.

Two Iconic Rock Bands Had No Idea They Were Being 'Ripped Off' in the '70s first appeared on Parade on Jul 19, 2025

This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 19, 2025, where it first appeared.