Heavy metal legend Ozzy Osbourne is set to receive one of the UK music industry’s highest honours: the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 BRIT Awards. The announcement confirms that the singer — whose career has spanned more than five decades — will be recognised for his monumental impact on rock and metal music globally.
The award will be presented at the BRIT Awards 2026 ceremony, scheduled for Tuesday, February 18, 2026, at The O2 Arena in London. The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to artists who have made a significant and lasting contribution to music and culture, and Ozzy’s influence — both as a solo artist and as the frontman of Black Sabbath — places him firmly in that elite category.
Ozzy Osbourne’s career began in the late 1960s as lead vocalist of Black Sabbath, the Birmingham band often credited with laying the foundations of heavy metal. With hits like Paranoid, Iron Man and War Pigs, Black Sabbath helped define a genre and inspired countless artists across multiple generations.
After leaving the band in 1979, Ozzy launched a hugely successful solo career that produced classics such as Crazy Train, Mr. Crowley and Mama, I’m Coming Home. His outspoken personality, distinctive voice, and flair for theatricality made him one of rock’s most recognisable figures.
Over the decades, Ozzy’s contributions have been recognised with numerous awards, and he has been honoured by both British and international institutions. The BRIT Lifetime Achievement Award adds to his legacy with one of the UK music industry’s most prestigious acknowledgements.
The BRIT Awards are presented annually by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), celebrating excellence in music with categories ranging from Artist of the Year to Best International Song. The Lifetime Achievement Award is reserved for those whose influence transcends trends — artists whose work has shaped the course of music history.
Previous recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award include some of the most influential names in popular music, underlining the significance of Ozzy’s inclusion in this list.
- Award Event: BRIT Awards 2026
- Date: Tuesday, 18 February 2026
- Venue: The O2 Arena, London, UK
The Lifetime Achievement Award will be one of the highlights of the evening, with tributes expected to honour Ozzy’s career and legacy.
In announcing the honour, representatives from the BRITs spoke about Ozzy’s enduring influence on music. They described his career as “transformative” and noted his role in pushing heavy metal from the underground to mainstream consciousness — not just in the UK but around the world.
Ozzy’s Health and Recent Years
The award comes during a period of both celebration and reflection for Ozzy’s fans. In July 2025, he performed what was widely billed as his final concert during the Back to the Beginning benefit show in Birmingham, UK. Family members later revealed that doctors warned Ozzy that he might not survive if he went ahead with the performance, but he insisted on doing it his way. Tragically, the singer passed away on 22 July 2025, weeks after that final show.
The BRITs’ decision to honour Ozzy with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2026 highlights the lasting impact he had on music and culture — a legacy that endures past his passing.
Ozzy Osbourne’s influence reaches far beyond his own hits. His work with Black Sabbath helped invent heavy metal; his solo catalog brought theatrical flair and personal vulnerability to the genre; and his larger-than-life persona made him one of music’s most enduring figures.
From the streets of Birmingham to stages around the world, Ozzy’s voice and presence shaped rock music for generations.
The BRIT Lifetime Achievement Award not only celebrates Ozzy’s career but also cements his place in music history as a pioneering force whose influence will continue to be felt for years to come.
