Music’s biggest stars are set to come together to honor the late Ozzy Osbourne at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards. In what is being billed as a once-in-a-lifetime performance, Aerosmith legends Steven Tyler and Joe Perry will join forces with modern rock sensation Yungblud and Extreme guitarist Nuno Bettencourt to perform a medley of the Prince of Darkness‘s greatest hits.
The tribute comes as a fitting homage to a career that defined multiple generations of rock and metal. With over 120 million albums sold worldwide, Osbourne‘s legacy is immense, a fact underscored by his five Grammy Awards and his unique dual induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame—first with Black Sabbath in 2006 and then as a solo artist in 2024. His influence is further etched in history with stars on both the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Birmingham Walk of Stars.
Osbourne‘s connection to MTV is extensive, stretching back to the network’s earliest days with shows like “Headbangers Ball“. His relationship with the channel was solidified by the groundbreaking reality series “The Osbournes“, which brought him into the homes of millions. The network previously honored his profound impact on the industry in 2014 by presenting him with the MTV EMAs Global Icon Award.
The celebration of Osbourne‘s life and work comes just weeks after his passing on July 22. According to a death certificate filed by his daughter, Aimée, the cause was a heart attack, with contributing factors including coronary artery disease and Parkinson’s disease. The metal titan passed away at his home in Buckinghamshire, England, just a short time after his historic farewell concert in his hometown.
Fans can also look forward to a deeper look into his final years in the upcoming Paramount+ documentary, “Ozzy Osbourne: No Escape From Now“, which is slated to premiere later this year.
The 2025 MTV VMAs, hosted by LL Cool J, will air live from the UBS Arena in New York this Sunday, September 7, at 8:00 p.m. ET. The event will be broadcast on the CBS Television Network and simulcast on MTV, with a live stream available on Paramount+.
