Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford has spoken candidly about the deep grief he felt upon learning of Ozzy Osbourne’s passing, sharing a heartfelt tribute to the late heavy metal icon during a recent interview with Detroit’s 101 WRIF.
Halford, known for his powerful vocals and commanding stage presence, described the moment he got the devastating call:
“Oh, man. I got a call the day it happened. I was in a hotel room in Leeds, in England. I just put the phone down, curled up in a ball, and bawled my eyes out for hours. I just couldn’t believe it. I still can’t believe it now. I’m still grieving, like so many people.”
Though Halford wasn’t able to attend Osbourne’s farewell show, Back to the Beginning, due to Judas Priest’s tour schedule, he reflected on the lasting impact Ozzy had on his life — both personally and professionally.
“He was someone I was always in awe of,” Halford said. “That presence… it never faded. Every time I was around him, I felt it. Just like I do with Alice Cooper. These guys are giants.”
While the two legends weren’t in constant contact in recent years, Halford treasures their memories together — from performing with Black Sabbath to honoring them with Judas Priest’s powerful rendition of “War Pigs,” which he called “one of the greatest metal songs ever written.”
Their relationship was more than admiration — it was built on loyalty and trust. Halford famously stepped in to front Black Sabbath during Ozzfest 2004 in Camden, filling in for Ozzy with only hours’ notice.
“Sharon [Osbourne] called and said, ‘Ozzy’s not feeling well. Can you sing his show?’ I said, ‘When?’ She goes, ‘Tonight.’ So you do what you do. We’ve got each other’s backs.”
It wasn’t the first time Halford came to Sabbath’s rescue. During their No More Tours run in 1997, he stepped up again, prompting guitarist Tony Iommi to later say, “Without Rob, there wouldn’t have been a show at all.”
Ozzy himself held deep respect for Halford, calling him one of the greatest metal vocalists ever — a sentiment echoed by fans and peers alike.
For Halford, the pain of loss is profound, but so is the pride in the legacy they shared. Their decades-long connection stands as a powerful reminder of the brotherhood that defines the heavy metal world — fierce, loyal, and eternal.
