Aerosmith‘s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, Yungblud and guitarist Nuno Bettencourt joined forces to honor the late Ozzy Osbourne with a star-studded tribute performance at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) on Sunday, September 7.
Live from UBS Arena in New York, the trio of superstars paid tribute to the late “Prince Of Darkness” and Black Sabbath legend, who passed away in July 2025 at the age of 76 years old, with a performance of some of his greatest hits.
“We’re going to share some of that love and recognize a member of the music family who left us this year and to do justice to him the only way we know how with music, to honor the legendary Ozzy Osborne, here’s his son, Jack Osborne,” host LL Cool J said, introducing a video message from Jack Osbourne.
Jack Osbourne then introduced the tribute performance alongside Osbourne’s grandkids with a heartfelt speech about his late father. “I wish we could be there with you all tonight as you celebrate my dad’s amazing musical journey. I know for sure it would make him incredibly happy to see these great musicians carry on his legacy and help inspire the next generation of rockers. I’d like to give a special shout out to Dom, Nuno, Steven [and] Joe from Aerosmith. We love you, dad,” Jack Osbourne said.
The performance launched with Yungblud singing “Crazy Train,” beginning with Ozzy’s iconic lyric, “All aboard, hahahahahaha/ Ayy.” The 28-year-old singer, whose real name is Dominic Richard Harrison, kicked off the performance from the general admission pit area before making his way onto the stage, which was complete with a massive purple cross in the center.
Yungblud, joined by Ozzy Osbourne’s pianist Adam Wakeman and Nuno Bettencourt, was shirtless and wearing black pants and the cross necklace Osbourne gifted him before he passed. As he transitioned into “Changes,” he put on a black fur coat and allowed his unique vocals to soar through the UBS Arena.
Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith then made their way onto the stage for an emotional performance of “Mama, I’m Coming Home” as photos of the late rock legend flooded the background and purple lights drenched the stage.
Yungblud then accompanied Tyler and Perry at the end of the catwalk for the climax of “Mama, I’m Coming Home” as fireworks exploded behind them.
“I’ve seen your face a thousand times/ Every day we’ve been apart/ I don’t care about the sunshine, yeah/ ‘Cause mama, mama, I’m coming home/ I’m coming home/ I’m coming home/ I’m coming home,” Steven Tyler and Yungblud sang in sync cheek-to-cheek to end the performance as Joe Perry delivered an impressive guitar solo.
“Ozzy forever man!” Yungblud said as the performance ended.
The once-in-a-lifetime tribute performance was the perfect celebration of the iconic legacy of Ozzy Osbourne.
Ozzy Osbourne passed away on Tuesday, July 22, at Harefield Hospital in London from “out of hospital cardiac arrest” and “acute myocardial infarction,” with coronary artery disease and Parkinson’s disease with autonomic dysfunction listed as “joint causes,” according to a death certificate obtained by People. The Rock And Roll Hall of Famer was 76 years old at the time of death.
Ozzy’s wife Sharon and their children Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis first revealed that he had died in a collective statement on the “Mama I’m Coming Home” singer’s social media accounts. “It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time,” a statement read, signed by his wife and children.
The news of Ozzy Osbourne’s death came just over two weeks after the rock ’n’ roll icon performed his final show, Back To The Beginning, on July 5 at Villa Park in Aston, Birmingham, England, the same place where Black Sabbath was formed in 1968.
The star-studded show also featured performances by Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter, Alex Warren, Jelly Roll, Sombr, J Balvin, DJ Snake, Post Malone, Doja Cat, Conan Gray, Tate McRae, Bailey Zimmerman, The Kid LAROI, Megan Moroney, Lola Young and more.
Ashlee Simpson Ross, Brittany Snow, Ciara, Drew Barrymore, KPOP Demon Hunter’s EJAE, REI AMI + Audrey Nuna (Huntr/x), Ice Spice, Jessica Simpson, Latto, Livvy Dunne, Malin Åkerman, Megan Stalter, Nikki Glaser, Paris Hilton, Alix Earle, Lenny Kravitz, Luke Grimes and ROSÉ appeared to present during the broadcast.
Mariah Carey, the best-selling female artist of all time, was celebrated with the evening’s top honor, the Video Vanguard Award. Global superstar Ricky Martin accepted the Latin Icon Award, while hip-hop pioneer Busta Rhymes received the inaugural MTV VMA Rock The Bells Visionary Award.
Hosted by LL Cool J, the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) aired on Sunday, September 7 via CBS and MTV as well as streaming live on Paramount+ at 8/7c.
To re-live the 2025 VMAs, visit their official website.
