Adam Wakeman Joins Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Yungblud, and Nuno Bettencourt for Once-in-a-Lifetime Ozzy Osbourne Tribute at MTV VMAs
September 6, 2025 – New York, NY — Tomorrow night, the music world will pause to honor one of its most enduring and influential figures. At the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, an extraordinary lineup of rock legends and contemporary stars will unite to celebrate the late Ozzy Osbourne with a powerful medley of his greatest hits.
Set to take the stage at Long Island’s UBS Arena, the tribute will feature Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, modern British rocker Yungblud, guitar virtuoso Nuno Bettencourt, and none other than longtime Black Sabbath and Ozzy keyboardist Adam Wakeman. For fans, it promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime performance blending past, present, and future in a celebration of the Prince of Darkness.
The ceremony, hosted by LL Cool J, will air live on Sunday, September 7, at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on CBS, with a simulcast on MTV and live streaming available to premium Paramount+ subscribers.
A Tribute That Transcends Generations
The inclusion of Adam Wakeman adds a deeply personal layer to this tribute. The son of progressive rock legend Rick Wakeman, Adam spent two decades recording and touring alongside Ozzy Osbourne, both as a solo artist and during Black Sabbath’s later reunions. His haunting keyboard textures and backing harmonies became an integral part of Osbourne’s live sound, making his presence on the VMAs stage not only fitting but essential.
Pairing Wakeman with Steven Tyler and Joe Perry represents rock royalty at its finest. Aerosmith and Ozzy Osbourne rose to prominence in the same era, and both helped shape the hard rock sound of the 1970s that continues to reverberate through modern music.
On the other end of the spectrum, Yungblud brings a fresh voice and rebellious fire reminiscent of Ozzy’s own early days. Known for his theatrical stagecraft and emotional intensity, Yungblud embodies the raw energy that defined Black Sabbath’s rise from Birmingham pubs to global stages.
Meanwhile, Nuno Bettencourt, renowned for his technical brilliance and stage charisma, provides the shred-driven power needed to carry some of Osbourne’s most iconic riffs and solos into the spotlight.
Together, this lineup forms a unique bridge across eras, each performer representing a distinct chapter of Ozzy’s musical journey.
Which Songs Will They Play?
While producers have yet to confirm the setlist, anticipation is sky-high. Fans are speculating that with Yungblud on the roster, the Black Sabbath classic “Changes” is likely to make an appearance. The ballad, famously reimagined by Ozzy and his daughter Kelly in 2003, could take on new life in Yungblud’s impassioned delivery.
Other possibilities include:
- “Crazy Train”, Osbourne’s solo anthem that remains a rallying cry for generations of metal fans.
- “Mr. Crowley”, where Adam Wakeman’s keyboards could shine alongside Bettencourt’s guitar wizardry.
- “Paranoid”, perhaps the most iconic Sabbath song, tailor-made for Tyler’s raspy vocal attack.
Whatever the choices, audiences can expect a performance that showcases not just the hits, but the emotional breadth of Ozzy’s artistry—from the haunting to the explosive.
Why the VMAs?
At first glance, the MTV Video Music Awards might seem like an unusual venue for a heavy metal tribute. Yet, Ozzy Osbourne’s history with MTV runs deep. He was a regular fixture on Headbanger’s Ball in the 1980s and became a cultural phenomenon in the early 2000s with the reality series The Osbournes, which redefined the genre and brought his eccentric family life to millions of households.
Ozzy even hosted MTV’s Battle for Ozzfest, which spotlighted emerging metal bands, showing his enduring commitment to nurturing the next generation of artists. In 2014, he received the MTV EMA Global Icon Award, cementing his relationship with the network.
For MTV, honoring Osbourne at the VMAs isn’t just about celebrating a rock legend—it’s about paying tribute to a figure who helped shape the network’s identity across multiple eras.
A Star-Studded Night Beyond the Tribute
The Osbourne homage is expected to be the emotional centerpiece of the night, but the VMAs lineup is filled with heavyweight performances and honors:
- Lady Gaga, leading with 12 nominations, is set to deliver a jaw-dropping set.
- Mariah Carey will receive the Video Vanguard Award and close the evening with a retrospective medley.
- Busta Rhymes is honored with the inaugural Rock the Bells Visionary Award.
- Ricky Martin will be recognized with the Latin Icon Award.
Additional performances from Doja Cat, Post Malone, Conan Gray, Sabrina Carpenter, Jelly Roll, Tate McRae, and more promise to make the night one of the most eclectic VMAs in recent memory.
For the first time, the VMAs will air on CBS, significantly expanding their reach. Paramount+ subscribers will also have the opportunity to stream the event live or on demand, ensuring that Ozzy’s tribute is shared with fans around the globe.
A Fitting Farewell
Ozzy Osbourne’s passing earlier this year closed a chapter in rock history, but tomorrow’s tribute is a reminder that his music and spirit remain eternal. By assembling a lineup that spans generations—from a keyboardist who shared the stage with him for decades to rising stars who carry his influence forward—the VMAs have created a moment that feels less like a goodbye and more like a celebration.
Fans can expect not just a medley of hits, but a living reminder of why Ozzy Osbourne earned the title of Prince of Darkness—and why his shadow looms so large over the music world today.
✅ Event Recap
- Date: Sunday, September 7, 2025
- Location: UBS Arena, Long Island, NY
- Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
- Broadcast: Live on CBS, simulcast on MTV, streaming on Paramount+ Premium
- Highlight: Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne featuring Adam Wakeman, Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Nuno Bettencourt, and Yungblud
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