In a poignant salute to the recently departed Ozzy Osbourne, British heavy metal titans Judas Priest delivered a powerful and emotional performance at the Scarborough Open Air Theatre on July 23. The concert, held less than 24 hours after the news of Osbourne’s passing, became a collective act of remembrance and celebration for one of music’s most beloved figures.
Mid-set, before launching into their song “Giants In The Sky,” Judas Priest’s legendary frontman, Rob Halford, paused to address the solemn occasion. “Okay. Look, it’s been tough, the last 24 hours, right? It’s been tough. But he would want us to be doing this. He would want us to be together, he would want us to be having a good time, which is what we’re doing right now. We love you, Ozzy,” Halford stated, his voice carrying the weight of shared grief and respect.
As the audience responded with heartfelt chants of “Ozzy! Ozzy! Ozzy!“, Halford continued to underscore the enduring power of music and the legacies of those who have left an indelible mark. “This next song is all about him and all of the other greats that we’ve lost. Their music lives forever. They used to be down here on the earth plane. Now they’re in the sky plane, as we call it. This is ‘Giants In The Sky‘.”
During the performance of the song, which serves as a tribute to musicians who have passed on, the stage screens displayed a moving sequence of images. Faces of rock and metal icons such as Ronnie James Dio, Lemmy Kilmister, Freddie Mercury, Taylor Hawkins, and Christine McVie appeared, culminating in two colossal images of Ozzy Osbourne himself, drawing a powerful visual connection between him and the pantheon of musical legends.
Prior to the Scarborough show, on the day of Ozzy’s passing, Judas Priest had released a statement across their social media platforms, expressing their deep sorrow. “Our hearts are broken like millions around the world. Words can’t express the love and loss we are all feeling. Sharon, may God surround you and your beautiful family with love, peace and light. Ozzy, you will never leave us — your music is eternal. God blesses you now more than ever after you blessed us all through your magnificent life. Rob, Glenn, Ian, Richie & Scott,” the band conveyed.
Ozzy Osbourne’s family confirmed his death on Tuesday morning, July 22, announcing he was “with his family and surrounded by love.” While no specific cause was provided, Osbourne had publicly navigated various health challenges in recent years, including a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis and injuries sustained from a fall in 2019. His final public appearance with Black Sabbath at Villa Park in Birmingham, United Kingdom, occurred just over two weeks before his death, cementing his musical legacy one last time.
The complete setlist for Judas Priest’s memorable performance at the Scarborough Open Air Theatre was as follows:
- “All Guns Blazing”
- “Hell Patrol”
- “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin'”
- “Freewheel Burning”
- “Breaking the Law”
- “A Touch of Evil”
- “Night Crawler”
- “Solar Angels”
- “Gates of Hell”
- “Battle Hymn”
- “One Shot at Glory”
- “The Serpent and the King”
- “Between the Hammer and the Anvil”
- “Giants in the Sky” (Ozzy tribute)
- “Painkiller“
Encore:
- “Electric Eye”
- “Hell Bent for Leather”
- “Living After Midnight”
