MTV’s Tribute to Ozzy During This Year’s VMAs Did Right by the Late Icon

Last night during MTV’s VMAs (Video Music Awards for those born after 9/11), the evening’s proceedings took a back seat for a nearly eight-minute-long tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne. It was a powerful moment that saw a handful of the performers that showed up to the ‘Back to the Beginning’ show perform some Ozzy’s greatest hits with the type of pomp and circumstance fitting of an icon.

Naturally, they got the British alt-rock rising star Yungblud, whose personal connection to the “Prince of Darkness” has become a major focal point for his burgeoning career. It helps that his rendition of the Black Sabbath cut “Changes” during the ‘Back to the Beginning’ show was basically this generation’s version of Queen at Live Aid.

The tribute started with Mr. Blud standing in the crowd, kicking off a rendition of “Crazy Train” with Nuno Bettencourt doing his best Randy Rhoads impression. Then came the aforementioned “Changes” performance, which Yungblud said he’ll do at every show moving foward. After that, Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry got on stage to perform “Mama, I’m Coming Home” with Yungblud joining in once again to provide some tasty vocal harmonies.

I wish it didn’t have to be said, but I’m pleasantly surprised that MTV not only nailed this, but that they set aside asm uch time as they did. I guarantee Ozzy will get just a passing reference at the GRAMMYs, if anything. But when you consider how integral Ozzy was to MTV for a long time there, through his music videos and then The Osbournes reality show, both parties had an excellent working relationship.

As the world moves on from Ozzy’s passing, it’s heartening to know that a younger audience is getting to see and experience his music. Ozzy Osbourne truly transcended metal and gave our little slice musical culture the gravitas and exposure that it deserved.

So kudos, MTV. You did right by our man.