The 2026 Grammy Awards honored heavy metal legend Ozzy Osbourne with a live performance of the Black Sabbath classic “War Pigs” during the In Memoriam segment. Just days before the ceremony, it was announced that Slash and Duff McKagan from Guns N’ Roses, Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, producer Andrew Watt, and Post Malone would lead the tribute. Ozzy passed away at 76 in July 2025.
The crowd erupted in cheers as the performers took the stage. This tribute was part of several live performances celebrating musicians and industry icons who had died in the past year. Post Malone brought his signature raspy voice to the song, while Slash and Watt delivered impressive guitar solos. McKagan and Smith provided a solid rhythm section, and the group received a warm round of applause from the audience.
In addition to the tribute, the Grammy for Best Rock Performance went to “Changes,” a Black Sabbath song performed at the Back to the Beginning concert in July 2025. The performance featured Yungblud, Frank Bello of Anthrax, Nuno Bettencourt of Extreme, Adam Wakeman of Ozzy Osbourne, and II of Sleep Token.
The tribute to Ozzy felt genuine and heartfelt. It wasn’t overly polished or sentimental; it was real. Ozzy’s legacy in heavy metal is undeniable, and this moment reminded everyone that he was a pioneer who broke the mold. His influence goes beyond just metal music; it shaped decades of sound and attitude. The performance allowed Ozzy to be himself, and that authenticity made it truly powerful.
