Several generations of the rock and roll elite came together to pay homage to Ozzy Osbourne at the MTV Video Music Awards. While it was a heart-warming moment for many, not everyone was charmed.
The interchanging supergroup featured the fretboard-burning talents of Nuno Bettencourt and Joe Perry, alongside vocalists Yungblud, Steven Tyler and former Black Sabbath keyboardist Adam Wakeman, who performed a medley of Ozzy hits.
Bettencourt and Yungblud handled characterful takes of “Crazy Train” and “Changes” before the Aerosmith duo — making only their second appearance together since the band was forced to retire from touring in 2023 — took over for “Mama, I’m Coming Home”. The four musicians united for its closing stages, with Bettencourt playing a Takamine 12-string acoustic guitar as Perry — wielding a reverse headstock Stratocaster — delivered a third and final guitar solo.
It was inevitable that the awards would honor an icon like Ozzy. And it's just as unlikely such a display would happen without inviting a few detractors.
Enter Darkness guitarist Dan Hawkins, who hit out at the ceremony with the Ozzy tribute in his crosshairs.
“Another nail in the coffin of rock n' roll,” he wrote in an Instagram post that shows Arianna Grande — who picked up three awards on the night — reacting to the performance's finale. While she was in awe at what was happening onstage, Hawkins called the affair “cynical, nauseating, and more importantly, shit.
“Makes me sick how people jump on this shit to further their own careers,” he added.
Certainly, no one will be calling Hawkins "the Prince of Darkness" any time soon.
Some believe his comments were a dig at Yungblud, whose popularity has had a shot in the arm following his appearance at Back to the Beginning. Impressed by his energy and musicianship at that show, Ozzy gave the singer a necklace, which he wore at the VMAs.
It could also be a scything attack against the awards, considering that heavy rock has rarely featured at the VMAs in previous years. Some have criticized the move as riding on the coattails of Ozzy’s passing and legacy.
Hawkins has turned commenting on his post off, shutting down room for further discourse. He has also hidden the post from the main page of his Instagram following his outburst, which was reported by a series of media outlets.
Speaking on the red carpet before the ceremony, Bettencourt revealed he auditioned to replace Randy Rhoads in Ozzy’s band at the age of 14, and would go on to turn the gig down 12 years later.
Perry, meanwhile, is out on the road touring as the Joe Perry Project with members of Stone Temple Pilots and Black Crowes. However, he isn’t ruling out more Aerosmith shows as he eyes at least one final hurrah.
