Last night, February 28, the music world gathered at Manchester’s Co-op Live to celebrate the monumental legacy of the late Ozzy Osbourne. The 2026 BRIT Awards honored the iconic Black Sabbath founder and solo superstar with a posthumous Lifetime Achievement award, culminating in a massive all-star musical tribute.
Following a heartfelt video montage, country music legend Dolly Parton appeared via broadcast from Nashville to share her thoughts on the Godfather of Heavy Metal.
She said: “Ozzy Osbourne dedicated his entire life to music and his legacy has left a permanent imprint in the fabric of music lovers everywhere. Now talk about stealing the show.”
Parton continued, praising his unmatched stage presence:
“Ozzy knew how to get your attention with his love of theatrics, his musical gifts — he could turn any occasion into a full-blown show. And at his very core, Ozzy Osbourne was a showman. His legacy has left a permanent imprint on music lovers everywhere.”
Parton then introduced Sharon Osbourne, who took the stage to accept the trophy on her late husband’s behalf. She was joined by their daughter Kelly and Ozzy‘s son from his first marriage, Louis Osbourne. Delivering an emotional and candid speech, Sharon addressed the crowd:
“I’m honored to accept this award for my gorgeous husband. God knows I wish he was here to accept it himself… Ozzy is looking down on us right now… He rose to become one of the most recognizable and respected musicians. … To be honest with you, he was the most humble egomaniac you will ever meet. At the end of the day, he will always be a rock star… If Ozzy was here tonight … he would be so proud to receive this from the country that he loved.”
Stacey Tang, chair of the 2026 BRIT Awards committee and co-president of RCA Records at Sony Music U.K., also provided a statement underscoring why the rocker was chosen for this year’s top honor:
“Ozzy Osbourne has been a mighty force in modern music. Possessing an unmistakable voice and unique presence, he reshaped the sound and spirit of rock, inspiring generations of artists who followed. This Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a remarkable legacy built on originality and enduring influence, that continues to connect with fans worldwide.”
To close out the evening, the BRIT Awards delivered a thunderous tribute performance curated directly by Sharon. A powerhouse band consisting of musicians who have backed Ozzy throughout his career—keyboardist Adam Wakeman, bassist Robert Trujillo, drummer Tommy Clufetos, and guitarist Zakk Wylde—took the stage to perform a special arrangement of “No More Tears“, the title track from his smash-hit 1991 album, No More Tears. Pop star Robbie Williams, a longtime friend of the Osbourne family and a massive fan of the music, was personally invited by Sharon to handle the lead vocals for the tribute.
The prestigious BRIT Award is just the latest accolade in a historic, 50-plus-year career. Ozzy Osbourne‘s resume boasts over 100 million worldwide album sales. His work with Black Sabbath yielded 19 studio albums and iconic tracks like “Paranoid“, “Iron Man“, and “Children Of The Grave“. His solo career was equally massive, spawning 13 studio albums, the groundbreaking Ozzfest tour, and anthems like “Bark at The Moon” and “Crazy Train“.
Throughout his life, he collected five Grammy Awards, the Ivor Novello Award for Lifetime Achievement, and inductions into both the UK Music Hall Of Fame and the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame as a solo artist and a member of Black Sabbath. He even hosted the BRIT Awards back in 2008 alongside Sharon, Kelly, and his son Jack.
Fans said their final goodbye to the Prince of Darkness last summer during the historic “Back To The Beginning” benefit concert at Villa Park in Birmingham. The event featured a brief reunion with Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward, as well as tribute performances from heavy metal giants like Tom Morello, Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Mastodon, and Anthrax.
The 2026 BRIT Awards were hosted by Jack Whitehall and broadcast exclusively on ITV and ITVX. This year’s custom winner’s trophy was designed by acclaimed Manchester-born artist Matthew Williamson.
