“Ozzy Forever!”: MTV VMAs Honor Heavy Metal Icon with Star-Studded Tribute

The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards turned into a night of pure rock nostalgia as music greats gathered to honor Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary “Prince of Darkness,” who passed away on July 22 at age 76. The emotional segment was introduced by Osbourne’s son, Jack Osbourne, alongside his four sisters in a pre-taped video. “I know for sure it would make me incredibly happy to see these great musicians carry on his legacy and help inspire the next generation of rockers,” Jack said, before giving a heartfelt shout-out to the four performers who carried the tribute: Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Yungblud, and Nuno Bettencourt.

The Osbourne family closed their introduction with Jack’s rousing words: “In the words of our Papa, ‘Let’s go crazy!’”

A Medley for the Ages

The tribute began with Yungblud’s high-energy rendition of Osbourne’s 1980 anthem “Crazy Train”, a track immortalized not only as a rock classic but also as the theme song of The Osbournes MTV reality series in the early 2000s. He followed with a stripped-down version of Black Sabbath’s haunting ballad “Changes.”

Next, Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler took the stage with guitarist Joe Perry, delivering a powerful performance of Ozzy Osbourne’s 1991 hit “Mama, I’m Coming Home.” As Steven Tyler’s soaring vocals filled the arena, Yungblud rejoined for a duet, creating a poignant blend of old-school rock and modern energy.

The performance built to a dramatic crescendo, punctuated by pyrotechnics as Yungblud roared into the mic: “Ozzy forever!” — drawing a thunderous ovation from the crowd at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.

A Life Celebrated

The tribute was accompanied by a moving video montage of Ozzy Osbourne’s five-decade career: from his Black Sabbath years to his solo stardom, to his reinvention as a reality TV personality and cultural icon. His legacy as both a pioneer of heavy metal and a showman beloved across generations was undeniable.

Osbourne’s death came just 17 days after his final performance with Black Sabbath, marking the end of an era for fans worldwide.

 

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VMAs Make History

The 2025 VMAs, hosted by LL Cool J, aired live coast-to-coast for the first time on CBS as well as MTV, with streaming available on Paramount+. Produced by Van Toffler’s Gunpowder & Sky along with Den of Thieves, the show balanced pop spectacle with moments of heartfelt remembrance.

For millions watching, the Ozzy tribute was a highlight — a reminder that while the man is gone, his influence on rock, metal, and popular culture remains eternal.