Justin Hawkins of The Darkness recently addressed criticism surrounding Yungblud’s tribute to Ozzy Osbourne at the VMAs. He defended his brother Dan Hawkins’ earlier harsh comments about the performance. The statement was shared on Justin Hawkins Rides Again.
Hawkins explained his perspective on why musicians of his generation find Yungblud’s positioning problematic, particularly regarding the legendary Ozzy Osbourne’s legacy.
“There has been some discussion this week regarding my brother’s (Dan Hawkins) comments on the Ozzy tribute and Yungblud at the VMAs. Was it really necessary to refer to anyone as a ‘Bellend’? Let me try to explain,” Hawkins said. “The tribute to Ozzy extends to what he was doing on the red carpet. So the minute he got there, he was like ‘OK, this is for Ozzy.’ One difference though, Ozzy was fucking hilarious, he really was funny.”
Hawkins elaborated on what he sees as the core issue with Yungblud’s approach to rock music and his connection to Osbourne’s legacy.
“I suppose one of the things that irks musicians of a certain age is to watch Ozzy invent heavy metal, then turn into this household name with the television series and his decades of being brilliant, and then you kind of think ‘What the fuck does all those decades of having this incredible legacy have to do with Yungblud?'” he continued. “I feel like what irks musicians of a certain age is the fact that Yungblud seems to have positioned himself as a natural heir to the Ozzy legacy, having nothing to do with the really important stuff.”
The Darkness frontman went further, describing what he perceives as inauthentic rock performance.
“All of this posturing is Jim Morrison meets the bloke from Stone Temple Pilots meets everybody else who’s ever owned a pair of leather trousers. It’s 101 School of Rock stuff, you know? It’s the latest in a long line of – I’m sorry to say it – poseurs… For seven minutes, the world is looking at rock, and this is what we’ve given them,” Hawkins stated. “It’s like you’ve watched a movie about rock and metal, it’s like what a male stripper would do. It doesn’t ring authentic. It’s rock’n’roll, but not as we know it.”
Hawkins concluded with a comparison that was seemingly harsh, but he clarified was not meant as an insult.
“It kind of has this Disney veneer over the top of it, like it’s rock’n’roll seen through an Instagram filter of some sort. That’s what makes it galling to the people who have tweeted their disdain,” he said. “It’s actually like watching David Hasselhoff, who I think is one of the greats… So when I say that, it’s not actually an insult. I just mean that it’s like rock’n’roll done by somebody who, perhaps, was famous for driving a talking car and felt reassured by wearing little red shorts and looking after you at the beach. It’s like a television personality doing rock’n’roll.”
These comments came after his brother, Dan Hawkins, previously criticized the VMAs tribute. He called it “another nail in the coffin of rock n roll” and described it as “cynical, nauseating, and more importantly; shit.”
The controversy surrounding the VMAs tribute has divided opinions within the rock community. Some defend Yungblud’s performance while others echo the Hawkins brothers’ sentiments about authenticity in rock music.
American Songwriter reported that Dan Hawkins’ initial criticism sparked significant backlash from fans who argued that Yungblud was a sincere admirer of Osbourne. Many supporters pointed out that the young artist has consistently credited Ozzy as a major influence. They noted he has worked to introduce the heavy metal pioneer to younger generations who might not otherwise discover his music.
The tribute performance itself featured Yungblud alongside Aerosmith members Steven Tyler and Joe Perry. The Independent noted that all three performers appeared as friends and collaborators of Ozzy Osbourne. This collaboration aspect has been cited by defenders as evidence of the tribute’s legitimacy and Osbourne’s own approval of the performance.
Yungblud himself has been vocal about his admiration for Ozzy Osbourne. He has described the Black Sabbath frontman as his “North Star” in multiple interviews. YouTube interviews revealed that Yungblud has recounted personal meetings with Osbourne. He highlighted the legendary rocker’s humor and kindness, including anecdotes about Ozzy making him a salami sandwich during their first encounter.
The debate reflects broader tensions within rock music about generational changes and what constitutes authentic rock performance. Critics like the Hawkins brothers view Yungblud’s approach as manufactured and inauthentic. Supporters argue that his genuine admiration for rock legends and efforts to keep the genre relevant for new audiences should be celebrated rather than dismissed.
