Rod Stewart is facing criticism after paying tribute to Ozzy Osbourne with an AI-generated video at a recent concert. The tribute showed Osbourne in heaven alongside other late music legends. Now, fans have taken to social media to express their discomfort.
Here are more details.
Here’s why Rod Stewart is facing backlash over Ozzy Osbourne tribute
Rod Stewart is facing criticism after a tribute he presented for Ozzy Osbourne at a recent concert left many fans upset.
While performing in Charlotte, North Carolina, on July 29, Stewart included a video segment showing an AI-created version of Osbourne celebrating in heaven alongside several deceased music legends. However, the tribute did not sit well with viewers for its content.
Set to Stewart’s 1988 track “Forever Young,” the video featured AI-generated images of Osbourne in the afterlife, surrounded by other deceased musicians such as Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Prince, Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse, Bob Marley, and more.
Other AI recreations featured Whitney Houston, Tupac Shakur, Freddie Mercury, Aaliyah, and XXXTentacion. In one scene, Osbourne is seen grinning next to Tina Turner as she holds a selfie stick. In another part, he takes a group photo with several of the late artists.
A concertgoer who posted the video online expressed disbelief at what they witnessed. In the caption, they wrote, “Yes the rumors are true: I went to a Rod Stewart concert last night (lol) and witnessed man made horrors beyond my comprehension.”
The controversy grew when Stewart addressed the crowd following the video. He said, “Very sad. A lot of those people died ’cause of drugs… I’m still here, though!” His comments, along with the AI video, were quickly condemned online. (via People)
Many viewers online were quick to call out the tribute as uncomfortable and in poor taste, with some focused on the inclusion of Prince. One user wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “This is beyond disrespectful. who told him this was a good idea? these people and their families would be disgusted.”
Originally reported by Disheeta Maheshwari on ComingSoon.net.
