Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media Inc.
“War Pigs,” one of Black Sabbath’s signature tracks, first came out in 1970.
Ozzy Osbourne’s First Posthumous Release Arrives in Powerful Collaboration with Judas Priest
Ozzy Osbourne’s legacy continues with the release of his first posthumous single.
On Friday, Sept. 26, Judas Priest unveiled a charity cover of Black Sabbath’s 1970 classic “War Pigs” featuring vocals from the late Prince of Darkness. The project, according to a press release, grew out of “friendship, mutual respect, and a shared mission to fight Parkinson’s disease,” with both Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne supporting the idea.
Initially, the track had been envisioned as a tribute video for Osbourne and Black Sabbath after Judas Priest were unable to appear at the band’s final show in July.
Despite his own health struggles with Parkinson’s — which he publicly disclosed in 2018 following a 2008 diagnosis — Judas Priest guitarist Glenn Tipton played guitar on the recording. Lead singer Rob Halford traded verses with Osbourne, creating a poignant back-and-forth between the two metal icons. Proceeds from the release will go to The Glenn Tipton Parkinson’s Foundation and Cure Parkinson’s.
Halford, 74, has been vocal about the impact of Osbourne’s passing on July 22 at age 76. Speaking on Talkin’ Rock with Meltdown in August, the frontman recalled being overcome with grief when he learned the news: “I just put the phone down in my hotel room… and I curled up in a ball and bawled my eyes out for hours. I still can’t believe it now. I’m still grieving like so many people.”
The next day, he honored Osbourne onstage in his own way, performing “Giants in the Sky,” a 2024 track written as a tribute to fallen music legends. The song echoes sentiments Halford has expressed before when honoring other late icons, including Lemmy Kilmister, Ronnie James Dio, Janis Joplin, and Freddie Mercury.
Reflecting on Osbourne’s spirit, Halford noted, “Ozzy would say, ‘Let’s party. Let’s rock and roll. Let’s live it up, let’s enjoy.’ That was in his heart, his soul, and his spirit. Whenever we did shows together, he would always ask me, ‘Did you have a good time?’ He was the embodiment of kindness in that respect.”
Earlier in the year, Halford revealed to Metal Hammer that Judas Priest had originally been invited to perform with Black Sabbath at England’s Villa Park on July 5 for the Back to the Beginning concert. However, scheduling conflicts — the band was already booked to join the Scorpions in Hanover for their 60th anniversary show — prevented the collaboration.
