Yungblud chats ‘hero’ Ozzy Osbourne and performs ‘Changes’ on Howard Stern Show

Yungblud was on the Howard Stern Show recently and spoke all about his connection to Ozzy Osbourne, calling him his “hero” who symbolised “madness and individuality”.

Yungblud touched on the beginning of their connection, Ozzy’s influence on his life and music, and, of course, he spoke about, and performed, the stand-out ‘Changes’ cover. 

The 28-year-old told Stern that Ozzy had been a presence in his life since he was just two years old, “before he was even coherent to his music.” 

For a young battler "riddled with ADHD, angry, full of energy," Ozzy was a larger-than-life figure that immediately resonated with him. 

He found someone "celebrated for his individuality and his madness" and instantly identified with him.

He described how thirteen-year-old Yungblud then discovered Black Sabbath, and the influence began to grow.  

“They highlighted all the emotions and hormones and testosterone I'm going through, but also the kind of element of androgyny,” he explained. 

As he describes it, it’s still a surreal feeling that after a childhood of idolising Ozzy, he was suddenly working alongside him. First, when Ozzy appeared in his music video, then when Sharon asked him if he wanted to perform ‘Changes’ at the Back to the Beginning concert. 

He knew it was a total “David or Goliath moment,” performing the ballad at a metal concert, to tens of thousands of people who may not even know who he is. 

Yungblud told Stern that he was “so honored to be able to sing this ballad" as a way to let Ozzy know how much he meant to him, “and how much he has helped me”. 

And he did just that. 

He went out there and orchestrated a massive sing-along from the crowd, making sure the beginning of the gig was a huge moment for Ozzy.

The success continued following the concert, as Yungblud released the cover as a single, has performed it at most of his concerts since then, and received a Grammy nomination for ‘Best Rock Performance’. 

Ozzy’s death sadly rocked the globe, and Yungblud reflected on the aftermath for him. 

“It's like this moment that you never kind of expected to become big becomes a massive staple of mourning this f*cking global icon,” is how he describes it. 

Speaking on how he continues to uphold Ozzy’s legacy, he said “when you feel Osborne's arms around you, I don't know. You have to try your f*cking best to honor that moment and honor him forever.” 

He said that's “why we’ve been playing this (Changes), you know, every night.” 

Yungblud finished off the chat with a live performance of 'Changes', which is just as powerful each time. You can watch the performance in the Youtube video above. 

From a two-year-old soaking up the madness to a grown artist carrying the torch, it’s clear Yungblud isn’t just covering Ozzy, he’s honouring him every bloody night.