The Pittsburgh Plays concert series will honor the “Godfather of Heavy Metal” with a one-night-only Ozzy Osbourne tribute this winter.

The semiannual event will be Dec. 12 at Roxian Theatre in McKees Rocks and is designed to bring together music lovers to “experience the talents of local artists through the music of legendary performers who have shaped generations,” according to a news release.

“Pittsburgh feels like a metal town,” said Steve Soboslai, a partner of Pittsburgh Plays.

Pittsburgh Plays’ previous events have honored Tom Petty in 2018, Paul McCartney in 2019, Fleetwood Mac in 2021, Queen in 2022 and The Cure last year.

Osbourne, who died last month, is widely regarded as the inventor of heavy metal and known for his vocals in the 1970s band Black Sabbath.

“(It’s) hard to deny the impression that music left,” said Brandon Lehman, owner of Little Giant Studio in Pittsburgh’s Allentown neighborhood, which is sponsoring the event.

Lehman, who grew up listening to Black Sabbath through his parents’ record collection, has provided practice space for Pittsburgh Plays for three years.

This year’s tribute is inspired by Osbourne’s legacy and is designed to celebrate the music that “shaped a genre and a city built on steel,” the release said.

“Even before his passing, we were inspired by the epic tribute concert that reminded the world just how massive metal’s impact on culture truly is. Ozzy Osbourne didn’t just witness the rise of metal — he helped forge it,” the release said.

A portion of each ticket sold will be donated to Parkinson Foundation Western Pennsylvania in honor of Osbourne, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2020, as reported by the Associated Press.

The show will be accumulated from roughly 30 musicians, which will form four bands and tackle the set list, Soboslai said.

Musicians and singers who are interested in being a part of the show — and a paid gig — can still submit applications until Sept. 5.

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday and can be purchased at roxiantheatre.com.

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