Grammys 2026 tribute to Ozzy Osbourne moves wife Sharon, children Kelly and Jack to tears

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Sharon, Kelly, and Jack Osbourne broke down in tears during a heartfelt tribute to Ozzy Osbourne at the 2026 Grammys.

The ceremony on Sunday, February 1 honored the Black Sabbath legend, who died in July 2025 after suffering a heart attack.

Ozzy Osbourne's family breaks down during 'In Memoriam' segment

The tribute to Ozzy featured a fiery rendition of Black Sabbath's hit song, 'War Pigs'. The anti‑war protest song condemns politicians and military leaders for starting wars while ordinary people do the fighting and dying.

An all‑star lineup of musicians with close ties to the later work and legacy of the 'Prince of Darkness' performed on stage.

Post Malone was on vocals, while Guns N’ Roses' Duff McKagan played the bass. Red Hot Chili Peppers' Chad Smith played the drums. On the guitars were Guns N’ Roses' iconic lead guitarist Slash, and Grammy‑winning producer Andrew Watt.

The Osbourne family couldn’t hold back tears as the music filled the Grammy stage during the 'In Memoriam' segment.

Kelly shook visibly, standing between her mother Sharon, who dabbed at her eyes, and her brother Jack, who stared ahead with a tight jaw.

Their grief was unmistakable, each expression reflecting the weight of the tribute, even though Kelly had been bracing for the moment while walking the red carpet.

“It means more than I can put into words,” Kelly said during the Grammy red carpet live stream. "To see his peers and this community cherish him in such a way, and in a way that he deserves. It’ll be very emotional."

The ceremony also included tributes to other late artists, celebrating significant contributors to music who passed away over the past year.

Ozzy Osbourne's legacy 

Ozzy was as one of heavy metal’s true trailblazers, first with Black Sabbath and later as a solo icon.

As the singer of Black Sabbath, Ozzy helped define the sound of heavy metal with dark, riff‑driven songs like “Paranoid,” “Iron Man,” and “Crazy Train”.

Later bands like Metallica, Pantera, Slipknot and Ghost have cited his work as foundational to their music.

It wasn't just the music, though. Ozzy, the person that he was, also had a major impact on the genre. His bat‑biting, “Prince of Darkness” theatrics and tabloid‑ready antics helped turn metal from a fringe sound into a mainstream cultural force.

Through Ozzfest, his touring metal festival, Ozzy actively launched or boosted multiple bands, helping metal thrive into the 2000s.

Over six decades, Ozzy sold over 100 million albums and gave the world unforgettable hits.

His decorated career earned him five Grammy wins, two with Black Sabbath and three as a solo artist, solidifying his status as one of music’s most enduring legends.

Grammys 'In Memoriam' honored other stars who died last year

The Grammys’ 'In Memoriam' segment didn’t stop with Ozzy. Bob Weir of the ‘Grateful Dead,’ who died last month at 78, was remembered by his 'Dead & Company' bandmate John Mayer.

“He understood songwriting to its core, having written and performed some of the most enduring music in American history,” Mayer said in a heartfelt voiceover.

Then Reba McEntire took the stage, making her Grammy debut as the names of the departed flickered across the screen. She delivered a stirring rendition of Trailblazer alongside Lukas Nelson and Brandy Clark.

After the tribute to Ozzy, Lauryn Hill returned to the Grammys stage for the first time since 1999 to honor D’Angelo, who died last fall at 51.

She performed their collaboration 'Nothing Even Matters' from 'The Miseducation' of Lauryn Hill.

Hill continued the night’s tributes by honoring Roberta Flack, who died in February 2025, with a soulful rendition of 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' alongside Jon Batiste.