Rock Icons Unite with Modern Energy: Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Yungblud & Nuno Bettencourt’s Epic Ozzy Tribute at the 2025 VMAs

The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards became a vibrant, high-octane celebration of Ozzy Osbourne as different generations of rock collided in thrilling harmony. Steven Tyler and Joe Perry brought Aerosmith’s signature grit, Yungblud arrived with untamed energy, and Nuno Bettencourt unleashed dazzling guitar work—all uniting to ignite New York’s UBS Arena in a medley that felt like a triumphant farewell for the Prince of Darkness. While Ozzy’s passing on July 22, 2025, lent poignancy, the atmosphere was charged with joy and life.

Before any note filled the air, the night’s most touching gesture arrived: Jack Osbourne appeared with Ozzy’s granddaughters—Pearl, Andy, Minnie, and Maple—each proudly wearing Ozzy shirts, to introduce the performance. In that moment, the arena transformed into an extended family gathering, reminding everyone that behind the legend was a beloved father and grandfather whose music bound people across generations.

The sound exploded to life as Yungblud launched into “Crazy Train,” his raw intensity paired with a wide smile, before seamlessly shifting into a heartfelt “Changes” that gave the audience a chance to pause and reflect. These transitions revealed the range of Ozzy’s artistry—balancing electrifying riffs with emotional honesty—while building momentum that carried the crowd along like a tidal wave of sound and feeling.

The most spine-tingling moment came as Tyler took the stage, joined by Perry on guitar, to turn “Mama, I’m Coming Home” into a massive sing-along. Yungblud returned to share vocals, and suddenly the performance felt like multiple generations blending into one soaring voice. It wasn’t just a cover of a beloved song—it was a living promise that Ozzy’s music will forever find new voices to carry it forward.

Adam Wakeman, longtime keyboardist for Ozzy and Black Sabbath, provided a soulful undercurrent with his piano work, anchoring the tribute in authenticity. Alongside Bettencourt’s balance of precision and passion, the performance created a bridge across decades—connecting Sabbath’s heavy foundations, Ozzy’s solo brilliance, and the modern energy of today’s scene—all without losing the essence that made these songs eternal.

As the last notes of the medley rang through the arena, Yungblud leaned into the microphone and shouted the words everyone felt in their hearts: “Ozzy forever, man!” In that instant, grief gave way to gratitude, and sorrow turned into celebration. The crowd’s cheers became an anthem of joy, proof that the moment was about honoring life rather than mourning loss.

Bettencourt’s guitar solos played like a love letter to Ozzy’s legendary players, echoing Randy Rhoads’ spirit with both technical brilliance and heartfelt emotion. His fiery yet elegant touch honored familiar riffs while infusing them with a modern edge, creating a balance between reverence and renewal. Watching him was like witnessing a master carefully restoring and revitalizing a priceless work of art.

The bond between Tyler and Perry brought its own magic. Their rugged yet fluid chemistry gave “Mama” both tenderness and grit, while Perry’s guitar lines complemented Tyler’s emotional delivery. Standing beside younger talents, they embodied the idea of rock as a timeless relay—each generation carrying the flame without letting it dim.

The audience was swept into something resembling a festival under one roof—phones raised, voices joined, strangers finishing each other’s lines. Camera shots revealed glowing faces, and by the second chorus, the crowd’s roar merged with the performers in a massive, unrestrained harmony. If Ozzy once showed the world how to break rules, this performance proved those rules are still being joyfully broken.

The joy of the tribute lay in its refusal to lean on sadness. Instead, it celebrated Ozzy by doing what he loved most—turning up the volume, unleashing chaos, and opening hearts through music. The transitions, from the driving force of “Crazy Train” to the tenderness of “Changes” and the cathartic release of “Mama,” offered a complete journey through the emotional spectrum of his career.

Yungblud’s presence gave the performance added weight. Having previously featured Ozzy and Sharon in his 2022 video for “The Funeral,” and gifting Ozzy a necklace before Black Sabbath’s final Birmingham concert, his connection to the Osbourne family runs deep. His vow to continue performing “Changes” after Ozzy’s death made his appearance at the VMAs feel like a deeply personal promise fulfilled.

Backstage, Bettencourt had described the upcoming set as a “roof-raiser,” predicting a few tears along the way—and his words proved prophetic. The raw emotion that spilled into the arena confirmed this was more than a performance. It was an outpouring of respect and love, the kind that musicians deliver not as duty but as a gift to both a friend and the fans.

Aerosmith’s involvement added layers of camaraderie and respect. Following Ozzy’s death, the band had paid tribute to him as “a voice that changed music forever,” and that reverence carried into their performance. Tyler’s heartfelt delivery and Perry’s thoughtful playing felt less like a stage act and more like lifelong friends raising a toast through song.

The setlist itself was a stroke of genius. “Crazy Train” reminded the world of Ozzy’s unstoppable power, “Changes” revealed his tender and poetic side, and “Mama, I’m Coming Home” wove love and longing into triumph. Three songs, three different facets of one artist, all showcased by multiple generations, yet forming a single, cohesive portrait of a man whose influence is immeasurable.

When the lights finally dimmed, the performance had achieved exactly what Ozzy himself always did—turning noise into unity. You could feel it in the smiles, the hoarse voices, and the lingering hum of people singing as they left the arena. The finale wasn’t closure; it was an open invitation to keep celebrating, keep listening, and keep letting Ozzy’s music live on.

As fans poured into the night, the joy endured. Stories of Ozzy filled conversations, younger fans shared new discoveries, and somewhere, inspired by what they saw, a teenager picked up a guitar for the first time. If the measure of a tribute is how alive it makes a legacy feel, then this one didn’t just honor Ozzy—it propelled his spirit into the future, bright and unstoppable.