Black Sabbath Ozzy Osbourne Honored by Steven Tyler…read more.
The MTV Video Music Awards have always been about big moments unexpected collaborations, tributes, and performances that live on long after the night ends. But this year’s ceremony, held September 7 at New York’s UBS Arena, delivered one of its most emotional highlights in years: a thunderous, heartfelt salute to the late Ozzy Osbourne.
The legendary “Prince of Darkness,” who passed away in July at age 76, was remembered with a powerful medley led by Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, joined by guitarist Nuno Bettencourt and British rocker Yungblud. The performance wasn’t just a tribute it felt like a generational bridge, with rock royalty standing shoulder to shoulder with one of today’s most fiery young stars.
Before the music began, the arena went quiet for a video message from Osbourne’s family. His son, Jack Osbourne, spoke warmly about his father’s influence, calling him “the loudest heartbeat in rock and roll.” He was joined by Ozzy’s four granddaughters, who closed the segment with a playful rallying cry: “In the words of our Papa: let’s go crazy!”
The stage then exploded with sound as Yungblud kicked things off with a raucous version of “Crazy Train.” His raw vocals and restless energy captured the chaos and spirit that made the song an anthem across generations. He followed with a stripped-down take on “Changes,” giving the ballad a younger, modern edge that had the crowd swaying.
Next, the spotlight shifted to Tyler. Dressed in a long flowing coat, the Aerosmith frontman delivered a soaring, emotional rendition of “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” while Perry provided the haunting guitar backdrop. The crowd erupted when Bettencourt stepped forward, layering in his own virtuoso flourishes on the guitar, reminding everyone why Ozzy’s music was a haven for so many players looking to push their limits.
The finale saw Tyler and Yungblud join forces, belting out the chorus together as pyrotechnics filled the arena. At the end, Yungblud raised his fist and shouted: “Ozzy forever, man!” a simple line that sent chills through the audience.
Backstage, Bettencourt reflected on what the night meant to him. “My 15-year-old self can’t believe I’m standing up there honoring Ozzy,” he told reporters. “We grew up on him. Tonight felt like old blood and young blood colliding. That’s what Ozzy always represented family, chaos, and love.” He also recalled the last time he saw Osbourne, after the singer’s final concert in Birmingham. “It wasn’t about ego, it was about being together. He was like a dad to us, a grandfather. That’s the kind of presence he had.”
For fans, the moment was bittersweet. Osbourne’s death in July came just weeks after his last performance with Black Sabbath, a show many believed marked the true end of heavy metal’s first great era. To see artists spanning multiple generations come together in his honor reinforced just how deeply he shaped the culture not only as the frontman of Sabbath and a solo pioneer, but also as an enduring television and pop culture figure.
The VMAs have always leaned into youth, but on this night, the presence of rock legends reminded everyone that the roots of modern music run through artists like Osbourne. His relationship with MTV stretches back to the network’s early years through Headbangers Ball, Ozzfest, and even his family’s hit reality show, The Osbournes. Paying tribute here, in front of the very audience that grew up with him both on stage and on screen, felt fitting.
When the lights came back up, fans were left buzzing. Social media lit up with clips and reactions, with many calling it the standout moment of the night. One fan summed it up best: “Only Ozzy could get Aerosmith, Yungblud, and Nuno on one stage. That’s the power of a legend.”
The 2025 VMAs will be remembered for its spectacle, but above all, for the reminder that even in his absence, Ozzy Osbourne’s spirit continues to howl through the speakers, alive in the voices and instruments of those he inspired.
