- Robbie Williams closed the Brit Awards 2026 with a rendition of “No More Tears” in tribute to Ozzy Osbourne.
- The Prince of Darkness received the Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously, accepted by Sharon and Kelly Osbourne.
- A supergroup featuring Zakk Wylde, Robert Trujillo, Tommy Clufetos and Adam Wakeman joined Williams onstage.
- This tribute is part of a series of international tributes, following those at the Grammy Awards and the MTV VMAs.
Even though we follow music news every day at Woodbrass, there are moments that hit you right in the gut, even through a screen. On February 28, the Brit Awards 2026 ended on a note of rare emotion: Robbie Williams, microphone in hand, paid a moving tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away in July 2025 at the age of 76. It was a performance that will go down in the history of the British ceremony, and a powerful moment for everyone who grew up with the voice of the Prince of Darkness. A look back at a night when rock reclaimed its place in Manchester.
Robbie Williams, Zakk Wylde, Tommy Clufetos, Adam Wakeman and Robert Trujillo performing "No More Tears" for the Ozzy Osbourne tribute at the BRITS pic.twitter.com/3rdxEyHPLf
— 🎸 Rock History 🎸 (@historyrock_) February 28, 2026
A heavy metal finale for the ceremony
For the first time in its history, the Brit Awards were held outside London, at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester. And it was in this brand-new venue that the ceremony chose to honor one of the most iconic figures in British rock. To close out the evening, Robbie Williams took the stage to perform “No More Tears”, the standout track from Ozzy’s 1991 album of the same name.
Williams was not alone. He was joined by an exceptional supergroup made up of musicians who have defined different eras of Ozzy’s solo career: guitarist Zakk Wylde, Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo, drummer Tommy Clufetos (who also played with Black Sabbath during their reunion), and keyboardist Adam Wakeman. A dream lineup for a moment of pure rock fervor.
It was Sharon Osbourne herself who personally invited Robbie Williams to lead this tribute. The choice may come as a surprise to the metal world, but Sharon explained that Ozzy loved breaking down genre boundaries. Williams is also the most awarded artist in Brit Awards history, with 18 trophies to his name.
Sharon Osbourne: an emotional acceptance speech
Before the performance, the ceremony presented Ozzy Osbourne with the Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously. His widow Sharon, accompanied by their daughter Kelly and Louis (Ozzy’s son from his first marriage), took the stage to accept the award. The moment was introduced by a video message from Dolly Parton in Nashville, saluting an artist who had dedicated his entire life to music.
Sharon delivered a poignant speech, looking back on her husband’s 56-year career. She described Ozzy as an authentic, unpredictable artist from a working-class neighborhood in Birmingham who became one of the world’s most celebrated musicians. Through the glory days and the dark times, the Prince of Darkness never stopped fighting for his music.
For guitarists looking to tackle Ozzy’s style, much of that signature sound comes from the guitarists who played alongside him. Randy Rhoads laid down the neoclassical foundations, while Zakk Wylde brought raw power with his pinch harmonics (artificial harmonics created by lightly brushing the string with your thumb just after the pick). Plenty to seriously work on your technique!
One final legendary concert before the silence
This Brit Awards tribute resonates all the more deeply because Ozzy Osbourne passed away on July 22, 2025, just a few weeks after his final concert. On July 5, 2025, he reunited Black Sabbath in Birmingham for the “Back to the Beginning” show, a farewell event in front of 42,000 fans. Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Tool, Gojira, and many more opened this historic evening.
Living with Parkinson’s disease since 2019, Ozzy sang seated on a bat-decorated throne, held captive by his tremors but driven by unshakable energy. Sharon also revealed that doctors had warned him of the risk, but he insisted on taking the stage one last time.
A season of tributes around the world
The Brit Awards were not the only ones to honor Ozzy’s memory this season. In the United States, tributes have been everywhere:
- At the Grammy Awards, Post Malone performed “War Pigs” alongside Slash, Duff McKagan, Chad Smith, and producer Andrew Watt.
- The MTV Video Music Awards also dedicated a segment to the Black Sabbath singer.
- The Osbourne family had already co-presented the Brit Awards in 2008, making this tribute even more symbolic.
Want to recreate the heavy, massive sound of Black Sabbath? At Woodbrass, we recommend taking a look at our selection of electric guitars and effects pedals to shape a tone worthy of the Prince of Darkness. A good overdrive paired with a nicely saturated amp, and you’ll be well on your way.
A legacy that keeps resonating
From the riffs of “Paranoid” to the screams of “Crazy Train”, Ozzy Osbourne shaped heavy metal for more than half a century. Inducted twice into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (with Black Sabbath in 2006, then as a solo artist in 2024), he remains one of the most recognizable voices in rock history. The 2026 Brit Awards tribute, led by Robbie Williams and this legendary supergroup, proves that his influence extends far beyond the boundaries of metal. The Prince of Darkness has left the stage, but his music will never stop.
Sources
- Rolling Stone – See Robbie Williams Lead All-Star Ozzy Osbourne Tribute at 2026 Brit Awards
- NME – Watch Robbie Williams lead Ozzy Osbourne tribute at BRITs 2026
- Billboard – Ozzy Osbourne to Be Saluted at 2026 BRIT Awards
- Ultimate Classic Rock – Robbie Williams and Zakk Wylde Lead All-Star Ozzy Osbourne Tribute at Brit Awards
