Ozzy Osbourne's MTV tribute by Yungblud branded 'nail in the coffin for rock' by star

Ozzy Osbourne's friendYungblud teamed up with Aerosmith at this year's MTV Video Music Awards for a touching tribute to the late rocker, yet it didn't go down well with everyone. The musicians came together to perform a medley of hits by the Prince of Darkness.

The Black Sabbath frontman's family even appeared in clips before the performance dedicated to Ozzy, who died in July aged 76. Yungblud kicked off the tribute by singing Crazy Train and Changes with Extreme's Nuno Bettencourton guitar.

They were then joined by the Aerosmith duo Steven Tyler and Joe Perry for Mama, I'm Coming Home at the star-studded bash at New York's UBS Arena on Sunday night.

READ MORE: Yungblud relieved to have avoided the '27 club' as he reflects on wild past

READ MORE: Ariana Grande's MTV VMAs reactions spark heated debate after moving Ozzy Osbourne tribute

After the performance, the quartet embraced and Yungblud shouted: "Ozzy forever man!" However, not everyone was impressed by the tribute.

The Darkness' Dan Hawkins has since branded the tribute to Ozzy as "another nail in the coffin of rock 'n' roll." The guitarist fumed on Instagram : "Another nail in the coffin of rock n roll. Cynical, nauseating and more importantly; s***."

Seemingly referring to Yungblud, he added: "Makes me sick how people jump on this s*** to further their own careers." He also captioned a clip from Mama, I'm Coming Home: "What a bunch of b***ends."

The footage showed pop star Ariana Grande rocking out to the performance and appearing in awe. Speaking before the tribute, Nuno, 58, said he knew the tribute - which was introduced by Ozzy's son Jack Osbourne and his four children via video link - would be emotional.

He told People magazine on the red carpet that his "15-year-old self" couldn't "believe" he'd be performing for Ozzy. Nuno added: "We're gonna blow the roof off the place and I think the fans are gonna be pleased. Maybe a few tears at the end."

Aerosmith previously paid tribute to Ozzy, who they described as their "brother in rock", following his death. They wrote on Instagram at the time: "We’re heartbroken to hear about the passing of our brother in rock, Ozzy Osbourne. A voice that changed music forever.

"From Black Sabbath to his solo work, Ozzy redefined what it meant to be heavy. He did it all with heart, grit, and that wild spirit only he could bring. Our love goes out to Sharon, his family, his band, and the millions around the world who felt his fire."

Yungblud, whose real name is Dominic Richard Harrison, also shared a touchingsocial media post following Ozzy's death. He said: "I will never forget you - you will be in every single note I sing and with me every single time I walk on stage."

He shared a series of candid photos of himself chatting and smiling alongside the music icon. Yungblud wrote in an emotional caption: "I didn’t think you would leave so soon the last time we met you were so full of life and your laugh filled up the room.

"But as it is written with legends, they seem to know the things that we don’t. I will never forget you - you will be in every single note I sing and with me every single time I walk on stage.

"Your cross around my neck is the most precious thing I own. You asked me once if there was anything you could do for me and as I said then and as I will say now for all of us the music was enough. You took us on your adventure - an adventure that started it all. I am truly heartbroken. You were the greatest of all time."

READ MORE: Shoppers love 'painless and best' hair removal gadget so much it keeps selling out

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Threads.