In a heartfelt moment during the 2026 Grammy Awards, Post Malone took center stage to lead a star-studded tribute to the legendary Ozzy Osbourne. Joined by musical heavyweights such as Watt, Slash from Guns N’ Roses, Duff McKagan, and Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, this performance formed part of the emotional In Memoriam segment.
Post Malone delivered a powerful rendition of the famous protest anthem "War Pigs" alongside guitarist Slash and drummer Chad Smith. The emotional weight of the moment was palpable as Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy's wife, along with their children Kelly and Jack, watched from the audience, visibly moved as they listened to Malone's tribute to the iconic Black Sabbath song. "War Pigs," known for its strong anti-war message, is a standout track from Black Sabbath’s acclaimed second studio album, "Paranoid," which was released in 1970.
Each musician participating in the tribute had a unique connection to Osbourne; many had collaborated with him throughout his illustrious career. For instance, Post Malone teamed up with Osbourne on tracks like "Take What You Want" and "It’s a Raid." Watt played a significant role as the executive producer for Osbourne's last two albums, including "Ordinary Man" in 2020 and "Patient Number 9" in 2022. Furthermore, Slash worked with Osbourne on the 2010 hit "Crucify the Dead," while McKagan and Smith contributed to Osbourne’s final projects.
Sadly, Ozzy Osbourne passed away in July 2025 at the age of 76 after battling Parkinson’s disease for several years. Just weeks before his death, he performed at what was considered Black Sabbath’s farewell concert, a festival named "Back to the Beginning" held in Birmingham, England, where he showcased both a five-song solo set and a four-song set with Black Sabbath. This poignant event also featured tributes from notable artists, including Slayer, Tool, Billy Corgan, Tom Morello, and Sammy Hagar, among others.
The tribute to Osbourne during the Grammys followed another touching homage that took place at the MTV Video Music Awards in September. In that performance, Aerosmith's Steven Tyler teamed up with British artist Yungblud to deliver a three-song medley, covering classics like "Crazy Train," the heartfelt "Changes," and the poignant "Mama I’m Coming Home."
Since his passing, Ozzy Osbourne's extraordinary life has been celebrated through various media, including the recent documentary "No Escape From Now," which premiered on Paramount Plus in October. This film provides an intimate look into Osbourne's struggles with health issues over the past six years, particularly focusing on his chronic pain stemming from a fall in 2019 and the subsequent surgeries, along with his ongoing fight against Parkinson’s disease.
