Ozzy Osbourne, a titanic figure in hard rock and popular culture who died last year at the age of 76, was subject to a posthumous celebration and award on Saturday night at The BRIT Awards in Manchester. This had been announced before, but few expected the bells-and-whistles display of affection for the ex-Black Sabbath frontman. 

The Lifetime Achievement Award was picked up by Osbourne’s wife and manager, Sharon and daughter Kelly after an introduction by country star Dolly Parton. This was accompanied by a four-minute rendition of ‘No More Tears’, one of many anthems penned by Ozzy in his lifetime and the title track from his 1991 comeback album which heralded his place as one of the all-time legacy giants of rock. Performing the track was ex-Take That singer Robbie Williams with Osbourne’s longtime guitarist Zakk Wylde on guitar. Also featured in the performance were Ozzy’s former bassist Rob Trujillo, now in Metallica, keyboardist Adam Wakeman, son of Ozzy’s friend Rick, and former Alice Cooper, Ted Nugent and replacement Sabbath drummer Tommy Clufetos holding the beat. The performance is reported to have been personally put together by Osbourne’s wife herself. 

Sharon Osbourne, speaking from the stage, said in praise of the tributes to Ozzy that “we’re one because everyone in this place loves music, and it brings us all together. Such amazing artists tonight. I mean, everyone’s a winner, everyone.” She added “I wish he was here to accept it himself…I know that Ozzy is looking down on us all right now, and I know what he’s thinking. He hated making speeches”. These sentiments had been echoed earlier by Parton. “What an incredible life to celebrate”, she said. “Ozzy Osbourne dedicated his entire life to music, and his legacy has left a permanent imprint on the fabric of music lovers everywhere”.

Reception, as often happens where the Osbourne family is involved, has been mixed. One audience member held up a keffiyah in protest of Sharon’s support for Israel, inadvertently captured on the broadcasted footage of the manager’s speech. Others deeper in the metal community disliked the choice of singer, with one claiming that “we need a singer to do an Ozzy Osbourne tribute….let’s ignore all the proper incredible rock/metal singers and get Robbie Williams on it…. FFS!” One claimed “no disrespect to Robbie, but I wish YungBlood [sic] was doing the Ozzy tribute.” while others dismissed this too. Another claimed to want Metallica to have delivered the performance, despite the fact that the only member of the band that was present was Trujillo. 

Darker speculation was aimed at Kelly Osbourne, with some comments about her weight loss prompting a response from the reality TV star. The godfather of metal’s daughter, herself married to Slipknot’s keyboardist Sid Wilson, said in a statement that “there is a special kind of cruelty in harming someone who is clearly going through something. Kicking me while I’m down, doubting my pain, spreading my struggles as gossip, and turning your back when I need support and love most.”