Post Malone, Slash, Duff McKagan and Chad Smith deliver emotional ‘War Pigs’ performance as Osbourne family breaks down in tears
The 2026 Grammy Awards paid tribute to late heavy metal legend Ozzy Osbourne on Sunday night with a performance so powerful and moving that it brought his family to tears in what became one of the most emotional moments of the evening.
Post Malone led an all-star tribute alongside ‘Guns N’ Roses’ members Slash and Duff McKagan, ‘Red Hot Chili Peppers’ drummer Chad Smith, and producer Andrew Watt during the annual “In Memoriam” segment at the Crypto.com arena in Los Angeles. As the group delivered a soul-stirring rendition of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs,” cameras captured Sharon, Kelly and Jack Osbourne visibly overcome with emotion, crying openly as the tribute unfolded.
The raw emotion on the Osbourne family’s faces spoke volumes about the depth of their loss and the profound impact of hearing one of Ozzy’s most iconic songs performed in his honor. Sharon, who stood by Ozzy’s side for decades as his wife and manager, appeared particularly moved, her tears a testament to the enduring love and partnership they shared.
A Powerful Performance
Post Malone delivered raspy, soulful and passionate vocals that channeled the spirit of the Prince of Darkness himself. His voice carried both the weight of the song’s anti-war message and the emotional gravity of honoring a legend who had passed just months earlier. Slash and Watt tag-teamed on guitar, unleashing squealing solos and the song’s iconic lumbering riffs with a ferocity and reverence that honored the original while making it their own.
McKagan and Smith formed a thunderous rhythm section, driving the song forward with the same power that made “War Pigs” a cornerstone of heavy metal when Black Sabbath first released it in 1970. The abbreviated but intense performance built to a crescendo that had the entire arena on its feet, culminating in a rapturous round of applause that seemed to echo endlessly through the venue.
The Performers’ Deep Connection to Ozzy
The tribute lineup wasn’t chosen at random. Each performer represented a meaningful connection to Ozzy’s life and legacy, particularly in his later years. Post Malone’s relationship with the Prince of Darkness began in 2019 when they collaborated on “Take What You Want,” a partnership that would prove to be one of the most unlikely yet successful crossovers in recent rock history.
The song later appeared on Osbourne’s 2020 album “Ordinary Man,” produced by Watt, marking a creative renaissance for Ozzy that brought his music to a new generation. The chemistry between the aging metal icon and the young pop-rap star was undeniable, and the two performed “Take What You Want” together at the American Music Awards that year in a performance that fans still remember fondly.
Malone returned the favor by appearing on “It’s a Raid” from “Ordinary Man,” an album that became a family affair of sorts, featuring contributions from McKagan, Smith and Slash. The collaboration showcased Ozzy’s enduring ability to bring together artists from different worlds and create something special. Watt continued his work with Ozzy, producing the legend’s final solo album, 2022’s “Patient Number 9,” cementing his role as one of the most important collaborators in the final chapter of Ozzy’s recording career.
All of the performers except Post Malone had also played at “Back to the Beginning,” Ozzy’s farewell concert in Birmingham just weeks before his death. For them, this Grammy tribute wasn’t just a performance, it was a continuation of their goodbye to a friend and mentor.
A Historic Grammy Win
The tribute wasn’t the only Grammy recognition for Ozzy’s legacy on Sunday. Earlier in the day at the Premiere Ceremony, the award for Best Rock Performance went to Yungblud’s cover of Black Sabbath’s “Changes,” performed with Frank Bello (‘Anthrax’), Nuno Bettencourt (‘Extreme’), Adam Wakeman and II (‘Sleep Token’) at the “Back to the Beginning” concert.
The win was particularly poignant given that “Changes” has long been regarded as one of Black Sabbath’s most emotional and vulnerable songs, a ballad that showed a different side of the band known primarily for heavy, thunderous metal. Yungblud’s interpretation, performed at what would be Ozzy’s final concert, captured both the tenderness of the original and the weight of the moment.
Ozzy’s Final Bow
Just 17 days before his death on July 22, 2025, Ozzy reunited with the original Black Sabbath lineup, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward, for “Back to the Beginning” on July 5, 2025, in their hometown of Birmingham. The concert was meant to be a celebration, a homecoming for the band that had put Birmingham on the rock and roll map more than five decades earlier.
The 76-year-old performed a five-song solo set that showcased his enduring legacy as a solo artist. He delivered four tracks from his legendary 1980 debut “Blizzard of Ozz,” including “I Don’t Know,” “Mr. Crowley,” “Suicide Solution” and “Crazy Train,” songs that had defined an era and influenced countless musicians. He also performed “Mama, I’m Coming Home” from 1991’s “No More Tears,” a song that took on new meaning that night as fans sensed they might be witnessing something historic.
Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for. Ozzy was joined by his Black Sabbath bandmates for four classic songs that had started it all: “War Pigs,” “Iron Man,” “N.I.B.” and “Paranoid.” The same “War Pigs” that would be performed in his honor at the Grammys just months later.
Ozzy sang while seated on a black throne, his body weakened but his spirit undiminished. He appeared overcome with emotion at times, the weight of the moment clearly visible on his face. “You have no idea how I feel. Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” he told the crowd, his voice breaking with emotion.
No one in attendance that night could have known those would be among his final words to his fans, but they were perfect, a simple expression of gratitude and love that encapsulated everything Ozzy had given to music and everything music had given back to him.
A Legacy That Endures
As Sharon, Kelly and Jack Osbourne wiped away tears during Sunday night’s Grammy tribute, it was clear that Ozzy’s impact extends far beyond the music. He was a father, a husband, a friend, and an icon who touched millions of lives across generations. The tribute reminded everyone watching that behind the legendary “Prince of Darkness” persona was a man deeply loved by his family and cherished by fans around the world.
The 2026 Grammys, hosted by Trevor Noah, was broadcast live on CBS and is available to stream on Paramount+, ensuring that this emotional tribute to one of rock’s greatest legends will be remembered for years to come.
