Yungblud divulges Ozzy Osbourne's "most captivating" guidance
Yungblud Honours the Legacy of Ozzy Osbourne at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards
Following the passing of rock legend Ozzy Osbourne on July 22 at the age of 76, British musician Yungblud paid tribute to the icon at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards on September 7.
In a heartfelt performance, Yungblud delivered a medley of Osbourne's greatest hits, sharing the stage with Aerosmith's Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, and Nuno Bettencourt. The energetic set was a fitting tribute to the life and career of the Black Sabbath frontman.
Just days before the awards ceremony, Yungblud had recorded a podcast with Osbourne, during which he revealed they had become close friends. The friendship, Yungblud said, was not because they made the same music, but because they were both "a bit nuts" and "crazy."
In the days leading up to the awards, Yungblud had also promised to play Black Sabbath's Changes every night "for the rest of my life." This promise was a reflection of advice given by Osbourne before his passing: "Never compromise. They'll get it later."
Yungblud had previously taken part in Osbourne's final concert with Black Sabbath at Villa Park in Birmingham, England. Following the emotional set, Yungblud shouted, "Ozzy forever man!".
The friendship between Yungblud and the Osbournes had begun earlier in the year, with Ozzy and Sharon appearing in Yungblud's 2022 music video for The Funeral. Sharon told Yungblud that her husband saw a part of himself in him, a sentiment that Yungblud believes has grown deeper over time.
However, Yungblud's energetic personality has not been without criticism. Some people find it hard to believe that his exuberance is genuine. But for Yungblud, building a friendship with Osbourne was more meaningful than he could have imagined.
In the days following Osbourne's death, Yungblud also revealed that he had given the rock legend a custom necklace before that show. The necklace, a symbol of their friendship, will no doubt serve as a reminder of the legacy that Osbourne left behind.
As the music industry mourns the loss of one of its greatest icons, Yungblud's tribute performance serves as a testament to the enduring power of rock and roll and the friendships that can be forged through a shared love of music.
