British rocker Yungblud, who has been praised by the likes of Lenny Kravitz, Steven Tyler and the late Ozzy Osbourne – released his fourth studio album, Idols, in June. The album became his third hit. No. 1 in the UK charts.
The 28-year-old said he always knew he would have a music career and fought criticism to do so.
Yungblud, who is currently on Idol World Tourrecently sat down with CBS Mornings to talk about his rise to fame, how he overcame a downward spiral and what it's like to work with his idols.
“That was how the music made me feel”
Born Dominic Harrison, Yungblud grew up in Doncaster, England, in a family that owned a chain of guitar stores, and he said he knew he would pursue a career in music.
“That was how the music made me feel. Listening to the West Side Story overture gives me the same amount of goosebumps as Led Zeppelin's 'Houses of the Holy,'” he said.
He was drawn to the theatricality of music and trusted his instincts as a performer from his early days of performing in school plays.
“When I was on stage, I made people feel something,” he said. “It wasn’t out of cockiness or arrogance, I just knew I could make people move, I could make people jump, I could make people laugh and I could make people cry.”
At 15, he moved to London and formed a band that later became known as Yungblud.
“I thought Dominic Harrison was a little polite,” he said.
His group quickly gained popularity – but not in England at first.
“In England no one cared, but in the Netherlands within six months we became the biggest rock band in the Netherlands,” he said.
Yungblud soon became popular in the UK, but some questioned its authenticity. The artist, who suffers from ADHD, says his energy has always divided people.
“I think you either love me or hate me.”
“I'm completely out of control”
The higher he climbed on the music charts, the deeper the criticism became.
“I read every opinion,” Yungblud admitted. “On social media, on the label, in every aspect of my life. I listened to what everyone was saying. Because at the end of the day, I am everything I ever wanted to be, everyone has liked me since high school. It really sent me into a downward spiral because… I was completely out of control.”
He regained control through boxing. Sports taught him concentration and discipline.
“If you expend your energy too quickly, you will get punched in the face. If you let your anger, aggression or emotions get the better of you, you will get punched in the face. It kind of taught me that you have to be committed to your choices,” he said.
Working with your idols
Aerosmith recently recorded with Yungblud, and Ozzy Osbourne appeared in the 2022 video for his song “Funeral”.
At Osbourne's farewell concert in July, Yungblud was invited to perform the Black Sabbath classic “Changes.”
“In my mind I was like, ‘Wow. What an honor.” Because with this song, I really have to thank my hero,” Yungblud said. “It was the closest thing to magic I've ever seen, as if the army roared that chorus because they knew it was the last time.”
Osborne died less than three weeks later at the age of 76. Before his death, he gave Yungblud a necklace with a cross.
“He tells me, ‘I hope this brings you good luck. Don't compromise. They’ll get it later,” Yungblud said, relaying Osborne’s message to him. “I can still feel it everywhere, man. This is crazy. He gave me a gift. He gave me a platform.”
