On the night the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards lit up New York’s UBS Arena, a moment doubled as both celebration and goodbye: an all-star tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne. Aerosmith legends Steven Tyler and Joe Perry teamed with modern-rock firebrand Yungblud and virtuoso guitarist Nuno Bettencourt to deliver a high-voltage medley of Ozzy classics that felt equal parts reverence and rock ’n’ roll theater.
The set opened with a punch — Yungblud hurtled into the iconic riff of “Crazy Train,” backed by Bettencourt’s nimble, searing guitar work. The medley then moved into a touching rendition of “Changes,” a song Yungblud had already dedicated live this summer, before Tyler and Perry joined to close with the soulful “Mama, I’m Coming Home.” The result was a tight, emotional 4-song sequence that honored Ozzy’s range: from metal thunder to heartfelt balladry.
The visual and emotional stakes were high. Ozzy’s son, Jack Osbourne, and his four granddaughters — Pearl, Andy, Minnie and Maple — introduced the performance, all wearing Ozzy tees, which set a warmly personal tone before the onstage fireworks began. By the end of the medley the performers embraced, and Yungblud’s post-song shout of “Ozzy forever, man!” felt less like a line and more like a vow from a new generation of rockers.
For longtime fans, seeing Tyler and Perry alongside Nuno Bettencourt was a special moment. Bettencourt has become known in recent years for his lightning solos and tasteful showmanship, and he admitted on the red carpet that performing a tribute like this felt like a dream come true for his younger self. His playing on the VMAs set threaded classic Ozzy licks with his own flair, bridging eras in a single riff.
Critics and fans quickly called the tribute one of the night’s standouts. The performance struck a balance between a stadium-sized spectacle and an intimate homage: stage pyros and crowd-surfing energy gave it TV-room excitement, while the musicianship and vocal sincerity kept the emotional stakes grounded. Coverage from rock outlets praised the choice to blend veteran presence (Aerosmith) with contemporary energy (Yungblud), saying the pairing made the tribute feel both authentic and timely.
Why this mattered: Ozzy Osbourne wasn’t just another rock star — he was an architect of heavy music and an unmistakable cultural figure whose influence stretched from Sabbath’s 1970s beginnings through decades of solo work. The VMAs’ decision to honor him with a multi-generational lineup acknowledged that legacy while giving viewers a concise lesson in how his songs can be reshaped for today’s stage without losing their core power.
