With the Labor Day weekend kicking off, there seemed no better way to celebrate the extra day off than with Metallica. And thanks to SiriusXM, fans of the heavy metal band can tune in to the new Maximum Metallica channel. Embracing all things Metallica, the channel premiered on August 29th on channel 42. While thrilled to extend their legacy within the music industry, the band performed a small concert to celebrate. But even with the channel focused on all things Metallica, the group decided to take a moment to remember the legendary Ozzy Osbourne.
Having inspired numerous heavy metal bands over the years, Metallica received a chance of a lifetime when invited to perform at the Back to the Beginning charity concert. Promoted as Ozzy’s last performance alongside Black Sabbath, nothing could stop Metallica from taking part. At the time, the band only thought they were honoring the Prince of Darkness. They had no idea Ozzy would pass away just a few weeks later.
Videos by American Songwriter
During the Maximum Metallica celebration, the band performed a slew of hit songs like “Enter Sandman”, “Fade To Black”, and “Master of Puppets.” But still remembering Ozzy, the group transitioned to a special performance of “Crazy Train.” And thankfully, that performance made its way online.
[RELATED: System of a Down Salutes Ozzy Osbourne at MetLife With a Rocking “Snowblind” Cover]
Metallica Admits Ozzy Osbourne “Transformed Our Lives”
As for those in the audience, the event welcomed several stars like Howard Stern, Paul McCartney, Michael J. Fox, Chris Jericho, Chad Smith, and even Sylvester Stallone.
Outside of their special tribute to Ozzy, the band posted a picture of them standing alongside the icon just a few weeks ago. With the news of his passing, Metallica wrote, “It’s impossible to put into words what Ozzy Osbourne has meant to Metallica. Hero, icon, pioneer, inspiration, mentor, and, most of all, friend are a few that come to mind. Ozzy and Sharon believed in us and transformed our lives and careers. He taught us how to play in the big leagues while at the same time being warm, welcoming, engaging, and all around brilliant.”
While sending their condolences to the Osbourne family, Metallica promised that Ozzy’s influence would remain a guiding force in their music and in the legacy of rock itself.
(Photo by Kevin Mazur)
Most Viewed
-
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – Singer Kelsea Ballerini accepts her New Female Vocalist award onstage at the 4th ACM Party for a Cause Festival at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds on April 1, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for ACM) -
The Beatles on the set of 'Top Of the Pops', plugging their new single 'Paperback Writer'/ 'Rain', 16 June 1966. The group had previously appeared on the show but this was their only appeararance live in the studio. Left to right: Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison and John Lennon. (Photo by Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images) -
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – Guitarist Matt Pike of American heavy metal group Sleep performing live on stage at The Roundhouse in London on April 30, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Nixon/Metal Hammer Magazine/Future via Getty Images) -
HOLLYWOOD, CA – DECEMBER 02: Dolly Parton and Stella Parton attend the premiere of "Dolly Parton's Coat Of Many Colors" at the Egyptian Theatre on December 2, 2015 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic) -
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – SEPTEMBER 04: Steve Miller and The Steve Miller Band perform during the San Francisco Fest 2016 – On The Green at AT&T Park on September 4, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by C Flanigan/FilmMagic) -
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – Tyler Farr performs on FOX News Channel's "Fox & Friends" All-American Summer Concert Series outside Fox News Channel Studios at Fox News Studios on June 23, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dominik Bindl/Getty Images) -
Kris Kristofferson, honoree during 37th Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Ceremony – Show and Dinner at Marriott Marquis in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by L. Busacca/WireImage for Songwriter's Hall of Fame) -
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK – MAY 05: Keith Richards speaks onstage during the exclusive launch event of The Rolling Stones new album “Foreign Tongues” at Weylin on May 5, 2026 in Brooklyn, NY. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for UMG)