YUNGBLUD Wins Best Rock Performance
YUNGBLUD clinched Best Rock Performance at the 2026 Grammys, marking a notable win for genre-blending artists who bridge punk, alt, and mainstream sensibilities. The victory underscores the continued commercial and critical viability of alternative rock voices. His win signals the ongoing influence of artists who successfully merge different rock subgenres.
The winning track was a live cover of Black Sabbath's 1972 ballad "Changes," recorded in July 2025 at Villa Park. The performance was part of "Back To The Beginning," the final concert for the late rock icon Ozzy Osbourne, whom YUNGBLUD considered a mentor. The tribute performance featured a multi-generational lineup of rock musicians. YUNGBLUD was backed by Nuno Bettencourt of Extreme, Frank Bello of Anthrax, Adam Wakeman, who played keyboards for Osbourne, and II from the band Sleep Token on drums. To secure his first-ever Grammy, YUNGBLUD beat out a strong field of nominees in the Best Rock Performance category. The other contenders included Linkin Park for "The Emptiness Machine," Turnstile for "Never Enough," Hayley Williams for "Mirtazapine," and Amyl and the Sniffers for "U Should Not Be Doing That." This was a major moment for the 28-year-old artist, who went into the night with three nominations. His 2025 album "Idols" was nominated for Best Rock Album, and the track "Zombie" was a contender for Best Rock Song. In a passionate acceptance speech, he thanked the Osbourne family and declared, "Rock music's fucking coming back. Watch out, pop music, we're gonna fucking get you." He dedicated the award to aspiring musicians "in a guitar shop or a bedroom with a dream." The win comes during a significant period for the artist. His fourth album "Idols" was released in June 2025, with a follow-up, "Idols II," dropping in February 2026. He is set to embark on a major arena tour across the UK, Ireland, and North America in the spring and summer of 2026.
