The Ozzy Osbourne tribute performed by Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Nuno Bettencourt, and Yungblud was not well-received by Dan Hawkins of The Darkness. The electric guitar player took to Instagram during the 2025 VMAs to slam the mashup, calling it “s—it.”
“Another nail in the coffin of rock n roll,” he captioned the post, which featured a snippet of the “Crazy Train/Changes/Mama I’m Comin’ Home” medley and text reading: “What a bunch of bellends.”
Be added: “Cynical, nauseating and more importantly; s—it. Makes me sick how people jump on this s—it to further their own careers.”
Comments on the post seem to be turned off. But people on Reddit have been talking.
“Anyone that watched the Sabbath Back to the Beginning concert knows that Steven Tyler was a highlight and considering he was forced to retire due to medical reasons one of the absolute highlights when Ozzy was alive,” he said of the Aerosmith singer, who announced their retirement last year. “I was happy to see them chosen to perform.”
Others ran to the defense of Yungblud, formerly known as Dominic Harrison. “Ozzy himself loved the kid, said he was just like him,” another comment reads. “The necklace he wears is straight from Ozzy. He has the blessing of Ozzys family as well.”
“Who the f—ck is this guy and does anybody care?” another comment reads. Overall, the live audience at the Video Music Awards appeared to enjoy the medley, with many in the rock community viewing it as a tribute to the Prince of Darkness.
Is The Darkness still an active band?
According to their website, The Darkness is currently on tour. They’re performing at Irving Plaza in New York on Sept. 10 with dates in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia through next year.
