Ozzy Osbourne YUNGBLUD Aerosmith MTV Tribute Medley Stuns the 2025 VMAs: Setlist, Performers, How to Watch

Event: MTV Video Music Awards
Date: Sunday, September 7, 2025
Venue: UBS Arena, New York
Broadcast: CBS & MTV (simulcast), streaming on Paramount+ (U.S.)

Key takeaways

• An all-star medley honored the late Ozzy Osbourne, led by Steven Tyler & Joe Perry (Aerosmith), YUNGBLUD, Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme), with Adam Wakeman in the band.

• The segment was introduced by Jack Osbourne alongside Ozzy’s granddaughters, who wore Ozzy-themed tees.

• The medley threaded “Crazy Train,” “Changes,” and “Mama, I’m Coming Home” into a tight, emotional arc—closing with a group embrace and a crowd-roaring “Ozzy forever!”

• Hosted by LL COOL J, the VMAs positioned Ozzy’s legacy front-and-center on a night otherwise fueled by pop spectacle.

The performance, beat by beat

Opening blast: A sampled train whistle and the immortal “All aboard!” cue launched the room to its feet. YUNGBLUD hit the stage with “Crazy Train”—pacing the runway, trading riff stabs with Nuno Bettencourt while Adam Wakeman colored the edges with keys and guitar flourishes.

Middle turn: The arrangement pivoted to “Changes”, with YUNGBLUD downshifting into a plaintive vocal—letting the lyric carry the weight of the moment and giving the cameras space to land on fans holding up O-hand signs and bat silhouettes.

Final lift: Steven Tyler and Joe Perry arrived for a soaring “Mama, I’m Coming Home.” Tyler’s vibrato sat right on the melody while Perry and Bettencourt split the guitar harmonies; the last chorus became a full-ensemble sing-back, lights bathing UBS Arena in warm amber.

Coda: The performers embraced at center stage as the screen filled with Ozzy images from Sabbath through No More Tears and beyond—a concise, three-song journey from shock and fury to tenderness and homecoming.

Who did what (and why it worked)

• Steven Tyler (vocals) & Joe Perry (guitar): Rock royalty paying respects to rock royalty—bringing gravitas and a classic-rock timbre to “Mama, I’m Coming Home.”

• YUNGBLUD (vocals): The emotional engine—his frantic energy on “Crazy Train” and vulnerability on “Changes” bridged generations of fans.

• Nuno Bettencourt (guitar): Precision and flair; he stitched transitions, added counter-melodies, and kept the medley tight.

• Adam Wakeman (keys/guitar): Ozzy’s longtime collaborator helped glue the sound to Ozzy’s sonic DNA.

Why this tribute mattered

• A cross-generational handshake: Aligning Tyler/Perry with YUNGBLUD and Bettencourt underscored Ozzy’s multi-era influence—from metal’s origins to modern alt-rock.

• A narrative medley, not a mashup: The song order told a story—shock → reflection → sanctuary—mirroring Ozzy’s arc from provocateur to beloved elder statesman.

• A family moment: Jack Osbourne’s introduction with Ozzy’s granddaughters turned a global telecast into an intimate memorial.

Setlist (Tribute Medley)

1. Crazy Train

2. Changes

3. Mama, I’m Coming Home

How to rewatch the performance

Crowd + industry reaction (highlights)

• Stadium-scale singalong: “Mama, I’m Coming Home” became an arena hymn—proof that Ozzy’s most tender single now sits among his most unifying.

• Fashion Easter egg: Fans clocked YUNGBLUD’s gold cross necklace—a personal nod connected to his relationship with Ozzy.

• Press consensus: Coverage praised the tight musical direction and the respectful, emotion-first edit on the broadcast.