Judas Priest’s Rob Halford Says Ozzy Osbourne Was ‘Thrilled and Delighted’ by ‘War Pigs’ Collab: ‘He Was Grinning’

ROB HALFORD RECALLS OZZY OSBOURNE'S THRILL AT 'WAR PIGS' COLLABORATION LOS ANGELES (AP) - Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford has revealed that his longtime friend Ozzy Osbourne was "thrilled and delighted" by their collaboration on a cover of Black Sabbath's classic song "War Pigs," which featured Osbourne's vocals. According to Halford, the two musicians had worked together on the project before Osbourne's passing in January 2023. In an exclusive interview with Billboard, Halford recalled that Osbourne and his wife Sharon listened to the final mix of the track and were pleased with the result. "He was grinning, he was smiling, and he was very happy," Halford said. The collaboration was part of Judas Priest's tribute to Black Sabbath, which had announced its farewell tour in 2017. The band had planned to perform at the final show but had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts. Instead, they released their cover of "War Pigs" as a tribute to the iconic heavy metal band. Halford and Judas Priest have long been fans of Black Sabbath, and the collaboration was a nod to the influence that Ozzy Osbourne's work has had on their music. "We're so eternally grateful and blessed to have had the opportunity to do something together musically in this particular way," Halford said. The news comes as the music world continues to mourn the loss of Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away at 76 just weeks after Black Sabbath's final concert. His legacy as a pioneering heavy metal musician has been celebrated by fans and fellow musicians around the globe. As the music industry reflects on the impact of Osbourne's life and work, Halford's recollection of his friend's reaction to their collaboration serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring power of music to bring people together. "It was an absolute thrill for us all," Halford said. Background: Ozzy Osbourne was a key figure in Black Sabbath's success, and his distinctive vocals helped shape the sound of heavy metal. After leaving Black Sabbath in 1979, he went on to have a successful solo career, releasing several albums and becoming known as the "Prince of Darkness." In recent years, Osbourne had been open about his struggles with health issues, including Parkinson's disease and dementia. His passing has been met with an outpouring of tributes from fans and fellow musicians around the world. Additional Perspectives: Music industry insiders say that Halford's recollection of Osbourne's reaction to their collaboration is a testament to the enduring bond between the two musicians. "Rob and Ozzy had a deep respect for each other's work, and this collaboration was a natural fit," said one insider. As the music world continues to grapple with the loss of Ozzy Osbourne, Halford's tribute serves as a reminder of the power of music to transcend time and circumstance. *Reporting by Billboard.*