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A Star-Studded Tribute to the Prince of Darkness Brings Fans to Tears
Music fans were treated to a moving tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne at the MTV Video Music Awards. The performance, featuring rock legends Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, rising star Yungblud, Ozzy’s own bandmate Adam Wakeman, and Extreme guitarist Nuno Bettencourt, brought many viewers to tears.
The all-star lineup performed a medley of Ozzy’s hits, including “Crazy Train,” “Changes,” and “Mama, I’m Coming Home.” Yungblud’s energetic performance and Tyler’s powerful vocals, despite his recent throat issues, were highlights of the tribute. Social media buzzed with praise for the performance, with many fans commending Tyler’s vocal strength and Yungblud’s passionate delivery.
The tribute was particularly poignant given Aerosmith’s recent announcement of their upcoming retirement due to Tyler’s vocal condition. The band stated earlier this year that Tyler had been working tirelessly to recover from a vocal injury, but ultimately, a full recovery wasn’t possible, leading to their difficult decision to retire from touring.
Fans online expressed their love for the tribute, many sharing that it brought them to tears. Some felt that Ozzy deserved even more recognition, suggesting a full show dedicated to his legacy.
The performance had been announced days prior on Ozzy’s official Instagram account, generating excitement among fans who anticipated a fitting tribute to the iconic musician.
Yungblud, who has been open about his close relationship with Ozzy and the impact of his loss, spoke about the profound influence Ozzy had on his life, calling him his mentor and “the greatest of all time.” He shared his heartbreak in a touching Instagram post following Ozzy’s passing, emphasizing the singer’s impact on music and his personal journey.
Ozzy’s family, including wife Sharon and children Kelly, Jack, and Aimee, honored him with a funeral procession in his hometown of Birmingham, England, pausing at Black Sabbath Bridge to lay floral tributes.
The MTV VMAs tribute celebrated Ozzy’s enduring connection to the network, from his early solo successes fueled by MTV airplay to his reality show “The Osbournes” and the Global Icon Award he received in 2014. A new documentary, “Ozzy Osbourne: No Escape From Now,” is set to premiere on Paramount+ later this year.