In a powerful union of heavy metal legends, Judas Priest have released a charity single featuring the late Ozzy Osbourne, revisiting the Black Sabbath classic "War Pigs" in a poignant tribute that transcends music. The track, released on September 26, 2025, is more than just a cover—it’s a heartfelt farewell, a celebration of friendship, and a rallying cry for Parkinson’s disease research, with all profits benefiting The Glenn Tipton Parkinson’s Foundation and Cure Parkinson’s.
The collaboration’s roots trace back to early July 2025, when Judas Priest found themselves unable to join Black Sabbath, Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, and a host of other metal giants at the star-studded "Back to the Beginning" concert in Birmingham. The show, held at Villa Park on July 5, was a historic moment: Ozzy Osbourne’s final performance with the original Black Sabbath lineup, a reunion fans had yearned for since 2005. Just weeks later, on July 22, Ozzy passed away at age 76 in his Buckinghamshire home, leaving the music world in collective mourning and lending an added layer of emotion to the new release.
According to BBC Birmingham, Judas Priest, who formed in Birmingham in the 1960s, initially conceived their "War Pigs" cover as a tribute video to honor Ozzy and Black Sabbath. But the project quickly took on new life. Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy’s widow, was so moved by Priest’s rendition that she reached out with a bold proposal: could Ozzy’s vocals, recorded before his death, be woven into the track?
Rob Halford, frontman for Judas Priest, recalled his reaction in an interview with Full Metal Jackie: “She approached me with this idea, she said, ‘I love your version of ‘War Pigs.’ Is there a way we can get Ozzy?’ I was [like], ‘You’re asking me? This is gonna happen!’” Halford continued, “So, you get Ozzy singing a line and then I’m singing a line and Ozzy’s singing a line and I’m singing a line. It’s the first ever time in my entire life that I’ve been able to do a duet with Ozzy and I’m so eternally grateful and blessed that I was able to do that.”
That alternating vocal approach—Halford and Osbourne trading lines—infuses the track with a unique energy, blending two of metal’s most iconic voices in a way fans had never heard before. Glenn Tipton, Judas Priest’s guitarist who revealed his own Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2018, contributed guitar to the recording, further deepening the song’s personal significance. As reported by The Rock Revival, Tipton remains an active member of the band despite stepping back from touring, and his foundation is one of the main beneficiaries of the single’s proceeds.
Judas Priest’s decision to turn their tribute into a charity single came after missing the "Back to the Beginning" concert due to a prior commitment supporting Scorpions’ 60th anniversary show in Hannover. The band’s absence from that historic Birmingham stage was keenly felt, but as Halford told Rock Cellar Magazine, "Sabbath were already established when Priest were just finding our footing. We were looking at them, listening to them, going nuts over those first two records. Sabbath and Priest, two bands from Birmingham that changed the world."
The charity version of "War Pigs" quickly evolved from a simple homage into something much larger—a monument to heavy metal’s enduring spirit and its capacity to unite people for a cause. The track is available for streaming and download across all major platforms, with a special edition CD set for release on October 31, 2025. Sony Music Entertainment UK Ltd and Epic Records in the UK have pledged that all profits from streams, downloads, and physical sales will be donated directly to Parkinson’s research.
Ozzy Osbourne’s final days were marked by both celebration and sorrow. His last performance at Villa Park was a triumphant homecoming, with the original Black Sabbath lineup—Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, and Ozzy himself—taking the stage together for the first time in two decades. The event featured an all-star roster, including Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Anthrax, Guns N’ Roses, and more, all honoring the legacy of a man who helped shape the genre. As The Rock Revival reported, Ozzy’s daughter Kelly even got engaged backstage during the festivities, adding a personal touch to an already emotional night.
After Ozzy’s passing, tributes poured in from across the music world. Elton John, Iron Maiden, Zakk Wylde, and countless others shared memories and condolences, while Judas Priest offered their own message: "Sharon, may God surround you and your beautiful family with love, peace, and light. Ozzy, you will never leave us." The Osbourne family, including Sharon and children Aimee, Jack, and Kelly, visited floral tributes laid at Black Sabbath Bridge in Birmingham, a poignant reminder of Ozzy’s deep roots in the city that gave birth to heavy metal.
Ozzy’s battle with Parkinson’s disease, diagnosed in 2019, was well known. According to his death certificate released on August 5, 2025, the metal icon died of a heart attack with coronary artery disease, after years of health struggles. Yet, as Halford reflected, "Ozzy was a brother, not just a bandmate or peer. He had this energy that could light up an arena and a kindness that extended to everyone he met. He taught me a lot about longevity in music and about staying true to yourself no matter what. I’ll always carry that with me."
The "War Pigs" charity single is not only a testament to Ozzy’s enduring influence but also a rallying point for the fight against Parkinson’s. Glenn Tipton’s ongoing advocacy, coupled with the Osbourne family’s commitment, has helped shine a light on a disease that affects millions worldwide. The collaboration stands as a reminder that even in loss, the music—and the mission—go on.
Judas Priest, meanwhile, continue their North American tour co-headlining with Alice Cooper, carrying the torch for heavy metal’s next chapter. And Ozzy’s legacy will soon be further cemented with the release of his final memoir, "Last Rites," due out October 7, offering fans an unflinching look at his extraordinary life and career.
As the echoes of "War Pigs" ring out anew, the world is reminded that true legends never really leave us—they live on in the music, the memories, and the causes they championed. The stage may be empty, but the celebration, as Halford puts it, never ends with Ozzy.
