JUDAS PRIEST have announced a special charity release of the BLACK SABBATH classic “War Pigs” featuring legendary frontman Ozzy Osbourne. The single will arrive on Friday, September 26, with all profits from U.K. streams, downloads, and physical sales going to The Glenn Tipton Parkinson’s Foundation and Cure Parkinson’s.
The project arrives shortly after the passing of Osbourne, making the release a heartfelt tribute as well as a charitable effort.
Rob Halford Reflects on Ozzy’s Legacy
During a recent appearance on Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk, Rob Halford opened up about what made Ozzy Osbourne so special both on and off stage.
“He gave everything on stage. When he walked out on the stage, he was always beaming. He loved his fans with such an extraordinary passion, but that existed offstage as well. Whenever I’d see him, if I went to see a show, the first thing he would say to me was, ‘Did you have a good time? Did you enjoy yourself? Was it great?’ And so that part of him as a person — he was always giving stuff. He was always giving out. He wasn’t a taking kind of a guy. He was always pushing stuff forward, paying it forward, whatever that expression is. So that part of Ozzy that we probably didn’t see much of existed when he wasn’t on stage.”
Halford went on to emphasize Osbourne’s unique presence, not only as a performer but also as a family man many came to know through reality television.
“He was an extraordinary man. And I think that opportunity that you had through Sharon [Osbourne, Ozzy’s wife and manager] and working with The Osbournes, which was the first-ever reality TV show, he became our friend. You may not have ever met Ozzy, but you knew him as a family guy, and you knew him as being — he’s like us. There’s Ozzy on stage, but look at him at home. And I think that that’s what drew him even further into us with our love for Ozzy Osbourne and everything that he’s left us with.”
“War Pigs” and Ozzy’s Connection
The timing of this charity release carries added emotional weight. In early July, JUDAS PRIEST performed a cover of “War Pigs” as part of the Back To The Beginning concert — the historic final performance featuring the original BLACK SABBATH lineup.
Now, with the official single featuring Ozzy, the track serves as both a tribute to his unmatched influence on heavy metal and a way to carry forward his legacy through charitable support.
Honoring Ozzy’s Memory
For fans, “War Pigs” represents one of BLACK SABBATH’s most iconic anthems, and hearing it reimagined by JUDAS PRIEST alongside Osbourne’s unforgettable voice is certain to resonate deeply. Beyond the music, the cause highlights an important chapter in the careers of both bands, connecting the struggles of Glenn Tipton’s Parkinson’s diagnosis with the efforts to find a cure.
Through this release, JUDAS PRIEST are not only celebrating the legacy of Ozzy Osbourne but also using music as a force for good — a mission Ozzy himself would have undoubtedly supported.
