Yungblud paid a heartfelt tribute to Ozzy Osbourne during his show at Birmingham's Utilita Arena on Thursday night, part of his ongoing UK and Ireland 'Idols' tour. The Doncaster artist, real name Dominic Harrison, performed a poignant cover of Black Sabbath's 'Changes', with the video screen showing fans holding a sign reading 'Ozzy would be proud' and the crowd chanting Osbourne's name.
Taking a moment to dedicate the song, Yungblud said: 'I dedicate this next song to a dear friend of mine in the sky. This next song goes out to Mr. fucking Ozzy Osbourne!' He added that he had been 'shitting myself for days' to play the track in Birmingham, pointing to the sky and declaring: 'Because you fucking changed my life, man!' He later promised the audience: 'I fucking love Birmingham, and I promise I will come back here every year until I'm fucking dead.'
Yungblud had previously performed at Black Sabbath's final show last summer, where he gifted Ozzy a custom gold cross, and later officially released his cover of 'Changes', vowing to play it every night. The pair formed a friendship after Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne appeared in Yungblud's 'Funeral' video. Speculation about Yungblud portraying Ozzy in a biopic was fuelled by Piers Morgan's suggestion to Sharon, though she remained tight-lipped; later, Ozzy's son Jack revealed a 'phenomenal' actor had been cast.
The tour continues tonight at The O2 in London and tomorrow at Manchester's AO Arena. Meanwhile, the third edition of Yungblud's BludFest will take place in Czechia in June, with a line-up including Biffy Clyro, Primal Scream and Pale Waves.
