Ozzy’s VMAs Tribute: When Hate Drowns Out Love
- Mickey Miller
- Sep 8, 2025
- 3 min read
On July 22, the world lost Ozzy Osbourne, the Prince of Darkness, the voice of heavy metal, and a man who redefined what it meant to live and breathe music. Last night, MTV finally got it right. For years, the channel has focused on pop and hip hop, rarely honoring rock properly. I still remember Ozzy on Headbangers Ball and the Osbournes bringing him into our living rooms. Jack Osbourne and Ozzy’s granddaughters introduced the performance, setting the tone for what should have been nothing but a celebration of one of rock’s greatest icons.
Last night, they gave him a tribute he truly deserved.
The stage featured Yungblud, Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, and Nuno Bettencourt — a lineup that should have united fans in awe and gratitude. Different generations of rockers together to honor the man who started it all. Instead, a wave of hate hit social media, mostly aimed at Yungblud.
Why? Because of low leather pants and no shirt. Because he dared to bring energy, passion, and chaos to the stage.
Do people even know rock history? I grew up watching Sebastian Bach strut across the stage in nothing but skin-tight leather pants. Iggy Pop built his career on being shirtless and wild. Ozzy himself wore outrageous outfits and lived in glorious chaos. David Lee Roth, Vince Neil, Jon Bon Jovi, Axl Rose all performed shirtless in leather. This is rock. This is rebellion. This is the essence of being a rockstar.
And yet, in 2025, some question if Yungblud is “okay” because of how he dressed. Some even claimed he “couldn’t sing.” But Ozzy himself believed in him. He told Yungblud to take over America and once you do you made it, the man knew talent when he saw it. Rock is bold, messy, sexy, fearless, and larger than life. Yungblud wasn’t weird or disrespectful, he was rock ’n’ roll, just like Ozzy, Bach, Iggy, and countless others before him.
Yungblud wasn’t there for clout! He kissed the cross necklace Ozzy gave him. He mouthed “For Ozzy.” He was honoring a man he loved and respected.
The rest of the band poured their hearts into the tribute, too. Steven Tyler, 77, came out with passion in his eyes. He hadn’t performed with Joe Perry since damaging his vocal cords, and seeing them together again, honoring Ozzy, was one of the most emotional moments of the night. Watching Steven Tyler, a peer of Ozzy’s, pay tribute was powerful — two legends, connected through music and respect.
Joe Perry delivered riffs with raw power, and Nuno Bettencourt shredded like the badass guitarist he is, giving everything in every note, every bend. They weren’t performing for perfection — they were performing for Ozzy.
And yes, I am an older woman who was in awe of Yungblud. Watching him brought me back to the days I drooled over Sebastian Bach. He has that sexy rockstar vibe, and I am here for it. But beyond the look, he has heart, talent, and Ozzy himself loved him. Yungblud is the future of rock and roll, his looks, his voice, and his passion say it all. If that’s not enough for people, maybe nothing ever will be.
Being a true fan isn’t about nitpicking outfits or vocal style. It’s about connection. Respect. Keeping the music alive. Honoring someone who brought you the soundtrack of your life.
So to those filling comment sections with hate: maybe you were never real fans. If you can’t recognize love and passion, you missed the spirit of Ozzy.
Ozzy wasn’t about perfection. He was about chaos, rebellion, and heart. And that’s exactly what last night’s tribute gave us. Ozzy would have been proud.
And let’s be real — Ozzy would have laughed at you for caring more about pants than passion.
Rest easy, Ozzy. The real fans will always remember what you stood for and we’ll make sure the music never dies.
Peace, Love and Loud Music,
Mickey 🤘🖤
Comments