Geezer Butler Joins Jack Black's Young Guns for 'War Pigs' at Maryland Festival

Jack Black’s tribute band Jack Sabbath performed at Tom Morello’s inaugural Power to the People Festival in Columbia, Maryland, on October 3, 2026. The set featured a surprise appearance by Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler, who joined the group for a rendition of 'War Pigs.' The performance highlighted a generational crossover, pairing the veteran musician with a band composed largely of children of rock legends, including Roman Morello and Revel Ian. The event also included a tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne and a collaborative performance of Aerosmith’s 'Walk This Way' with DMC.
Key points
- Jack Sabbath performed a three-song set at the Power to the People Festival, opening with 'Mr. Crowley' and 'The Wizard' before Geezer Butler joined for 'War Pigs.'
- The tribute band’s lineup includes Tom Morello’s son Roman on guitar, Scott Ian’s son Revel on bass, Japanese drummer Yoyoka Soma, and keyboardist Hugo Weiss.
- Geezer Butler praised Yoyoka Soma’s drumming on social media following the performance, calling her 'an amazing drummer.'
- Jack Black delivered a tribute speech to Ozzy Osbourne, referencing his 2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction remarks.
- The festival lineup also included Bruce Springsteen, Joan Baez, and Dave Grohl, with Black additionally performing 'Walk This Way' alongside DMC and Tom Morello.
Background
Jack Sabbath was formed in 2023 to perform at the 100th birthday party of Tom Morello’s mother. The group gained wider attention in 2025 when they recreated Ozzy Osbourne’s 'Mr. Crowley' video for his farewell concert. This performance at the Power to the People Festival marks the third public appearance of the tribute act, continuing a trend of intergenerational collaborations within the rock community.
How outlets are covering it
Rolling Stone emphasizes the historical significance of Geezer Butler joining the tribute band, noting the contrast between the veteran musician and the young, next-generation lineup. Rova highlights the unexpected nature of the collaboration and the broader festival atmosphere, including the 'Walk This Way' superjam. Chaoszine provides a broader overview of the festival’s highlights but offers less specific detail on the Jack Sabbath performance compared to the other outlets. All sources agree on the core facts of the performance and the band’s composition, but differ in their focus on the cultural impact versus the logistical details of the event.
Why it matters
The performance underscores the enduring influence of Black Sabbath and the evolving nature of rock tribute acts, which now often involve the children of iconic musicians. It also highlights the role of festivals like Power to the People in facilitating cross-generational collaborations and preserving the legacy of heavy metal through new performances and tributes.
What to watch
The Power to the People Festival is expected to continue its run, with further performances from the listed artists. There is no immediate indication of a new Jack Sabbath tour, but the visibility of the tribute act may lead to future appearances at major rock events or festivals.
- See Jack Black's Black Sabbath Cover Band Perform With Geezer Butler at Power to the People Festival Rolling Stone
- Jack Black Plays Jack Sabbath Set with Geezer Buttler at Power to the People Fest imdb.com
- Discover all the highlights and special guests of Power To The People festival Chaoszine
- Watch Jack Black and Geezer Butler cover Black Sabbath at Tom Morello's all-star Power To The People show Louder
- Jack Black, Geezer Butler, Roman Morello Deliver Epic Black Sabbath Moment rova
Want the full story? Read the original reporting
Read on Rolling Stone