Massachusetts-based rock band EXTREME has been paying a powerful tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne during their ongoing European tour by performing a cover of his legendary track “I Don’t Know.” The BLACK SABBATH frontman passed away late last month at the age of 76, and EXTREME’s tribute is both heartfelt and explosive.
One of the standout performances took place at the Artmania Festival in Sibiu, Romania, on July 26, where fans captured footage of the band playing the song live. In total, three different fan-filmed videos have surfaced, each showcasing EXTREME’s emotional and energetic renditions of the Ozzy classic.
Just a week earlier, the band had joined Ozzy’s final concert, held on July 5 at Villa Park in Birmingham, UK—the birthplace of BLACK SABBATH. Following the event, EXTREME’s guitarist Nuno Bettencourt took to social media to share a deeply personal message reflecting on Ozzy’s influence and the guitarists who helped shape his iconic sound.
He wrote:
“Thank you Ozzy for being a big part of the soundtrack of my childhood and decades afterwards. Also… Thank you to 3 CHOSEN ONES. Randy Rhoads, Jake E. Lee, Zakk Wylde. Ozzy could not have been Ozzy without your iconic contribution as incredible guitarists and composers. You were an integral part of what made Ozzy Osbourne who he was as an artist. His ‘not so’ secret weapon. And what was even more amazing is that every single one of you three brought your own DNA to each era… It would’ve been easy and safe for all you to replicate and clone the previous guitar god and give the fans what they wanted. Given the pressure of the shoes you had to fill. Imagine: Randy having to step into Iommi’s shoes. Jake having to step into Randy’s and Iommi’s shoes. Zakk having to step into Jake and Randy’s and Iommi’s shoes. And in the end neither of you did… instead you brought your own f*cking shoes and cemented your own individual legacies. As a fellow guitarist … that alone is a historic feat.
“Thank you Randy, Jake and Zakk for you inspirational guitar work and shaping me as the guitarist I am today. Love you guys.”
Bettencourt’s tribute not only honored Ozzy’s unforgettable legacy but also celebrated the incredible artistry of Randy Rhoads, Jake E. Lee, and Zakk Wylde — the guitarists who elevated each era of Ozzy’s solo career. He acknowledged the pressure they faced in filling the shoes of Tony Iommi, only to end up redefining the role and creating their own legacies.
The performance of “I Don’t Know” is more than just a cover; it’s an emotional salute to a man who helped define rock music for generations. EXTREME’s live renditions have struck a chord with fans, making this tour a must-watch moment in rock history.
