On the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, a closing farewell for one rock large heralded the televised return of one other.
Aerosmith vocalist Steven Tyler returned to the stage in the course of the annual awards present, becoming a member of bandmate Joe Perry , singer Yungblud and Excessive guitarist Nuno Bettencourt to honor the life and music of late heavy metallic pioneer and Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne, who died in July at age 76. “Livin’ on the Edge” singer Tyler, 77, helped the VMAs pay tribute to Osbourne greater than a 12 months after Aerosmith introduced its retirement from touring.
Sunday’s tribute was a medley of the hits “Loopy Practice,” “Adjustments” and “Mama, I’m Coming Dwelling”and started with Yungblud energizing the gang together with his tackle the primary tune. Earlier than making his approach as much as the stage, Yungblud kissed the cross necklace Osbourne had gifted him and appeared to mouth, “For Ozzy!”
Yungblud additionally provided VMAs attendees a style of his efficiency from the Black Sabbath “Again to the Starting” farewell live performance in July. After loads of head-banging throughout “Loopy Practice,” he slowed issues by singing an excerpt from “Adjustments,” which he had carried out at Osbourne’s closing present.
Lastly, Tyler made his grand entrance with Perry, singing the opening lyrics to Osbourne’s “Mama, I’m Coming Dwelling.” Photographs of Osbourne all through his life light out and in within the background. Yungblud joined Tyler for the tribute’s grand finale, harmonizing and buying and selling strains to complete out the emotional energy ballad.
“Ozzy endlessly, man!,” Yungblud yelled out on the finish of the tune, embracing Tyler.
Aerosmith introduced its determination to step away from reside performances after Tyler injured his vocal cords throughout a September 2023 present on the group’s Peace Out: The Farewell Tour. The rock band’s August 2024 announcement mentioned Tyler had struggled with “getting his voice to the place it was earlier than his harm.”
“Sadly, it’s clear, {that a} full restoration from his vocal harm just isn’t attainable,” the assertion added. “We now have made a heartbreaking and troublesome, however needed, determination — as a band of brothers — to retire from the touring stage.”
Tyler reportedly returned to performing reside months after that announcement, jamming with Aerosmith bandmate Tom Hamilton for his sixth annual Jam for Janie Grammy Awards viewing celebration in February on the Hollywood Palladium. He delivered a six-song set that additionally featured appearances by Bettencourt, Billy Idol, Joan Jett, Lainey Wilson and different musicians, in accordance with Billboard.
After the VMAs, Tyler’s daughter Mia Tyler praised her father’s stage comeback, sharing a snippet of the efficiency to her Instagram. “And that’s the way you do a tribute,” she captioned her put up. “Stunning. Simply lovely.”
“And the way good does my dad look??? So pleased with him,” the youthful Tyler added earlier than sending her like to Osbourne’s family members.
The VMAs aired reside on CBS from the UBS Area in New York and noticed LL Cool J decide up internet hosting duties. Girl Gaga, hours earlier than her live performance at Madison Sq. Backyard, was the large winner of the night time, taking dwelling 4 prizes together with artist of the 12 months and greatest route. Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter adopted with three wins apiece.
Mariah Carey joined the unique membership of Video Vanguard award winners whereas Busta Rhymes and Ricky Martin picked up the Rock the Bells visionary award and Latin icon award, respectively. In true diva trend, Carey jokingly threw some shade on the music present for earlier snubs as she obtained the award from Grande.
“I can’t consider I’m getting my first VMA tonight. I simply have one query: What within the Sam Hill had been you ready for?” she mentioned, including “I’m kidding, I really like you MTV, that is wonderful.”
