The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards turned into a night of chaos, nostalgia and emotion as the show paid tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne. The rock legend, who passed away in July at the age of 76, was remembered with a powerful performance that left the audience on its feet and social media ablaze.
Aerosmith icons Steven Tyler and Joe Perry joined forces with YUNGBLUD and guitar virtuoso Nuno Bettencourt to deliver a blistering medley of Osbourne’s most iconic hits, including Crazy Train, Changes and Mama, I’m Coming Home. The set opened with a video message from Osbourne’s son Jack and several of his grandchildren, who reminded fans that their grandfather’s legacy was bigger than music. “I know for sure it would make him incredibly happy to see these great musicians carry on his legacy,” Jack said, before the grandchildren shouted one of Osbourne’s most famous lines, “Let’s go crazy.”
The tribute was a homecoming. MTV had once turned the Osbournes into reality TV royalty with The Osbournes, the chaotic family series that ran from 2002 to 2005. Seeing the VMAs dedicate such a central moment of the night to the man long dubbed the Prince of Darkness felt like a full circle moment, honouring both his reign as a rock star and his unexpected role in television history.
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Fans online were quick to react, flooding X and Instagram with clips and emotional messages. “Ozzy deserved this and more,” one post read, while another declared, “Best VMAs moment in years.” The hashtag #OzzyForever began trending within minutes of the performance.
The emotional night also highlighted Osbourne’s struggles in his later years. His wife Sharon had revealed earlier this year that he was unable to walk due to Parkinson’s disease, making the VMAs’ explosive tribute all the more poignant. The night closed with the performers shouting in unison, “Ozzy forever, man,” sending chills through the crowd.
For one night, the VMAs belonged entirely to Ozzy, the rock outlaw who never stopped making fans go crazy.
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