The news of the death of Ozzy Osbourne moved the world of rock and, among the many tributes, that of Rod Stewart has been one of the most talked about for the way he has brought it to the stage. His proposal, which combines live music with a montage generated by artificial intelligence, has raised quite a stir on social media and among audiences at his concerts.
As part of his tour «One Last Time» For the United States, Stewart has not only dedicated the song each night "Forever Young" in memory of the Black Sabbath vocalist, but also projected a video on giant screens. The most notable staging took place on Friday, August 1 at the Ameris Bank Amphitheater (Atlanta), where the digital resource captured all the attention.
An AI tribute that divides opinions
The clip shows Ozzy Osbourne in an idealized heaven taking selfies with other deceased music figures. Among the most notable appearances are Freddie Mercury, Kurt Cobain, Prince, Tina Turner, Bob Marley, George Michael and Amy Winehouse, among other iconic names, all recreated using artificial intelligence.
During the screening, Rod Stewart turns to the screen and greets each appearance with a raised fist, a gesture of recognition that the audience observed with a mixture of amazement and emotion. The sequence, due to its aesthetics and use of AI, has generated both praise and criticism.
On social media, some of the followers rated the video as "tacky" or "embarrassing", questioning the tone of the montage and the limits of using synthetic images at such a sensitive moment. For them, the combination of celestial iconography and selfies didn't fit with the solemnity they expected.
Other fans, however, defended the proposal as a personal way of paying respect, emphasizing that every artist finds their own way of saying goodbye. This group saw the idea as a blend of affection, nostalgia, and technology that, while peculiar, was intended to celebrate Ozzy's influence.
The staging during the tour
The digital tribute was integrated into the final stretch of "Forever Young" during the Atlanta concert, becoming the most talked-about moment of the night. The collective reaction ranged from applause to bewilderment, with highly polarized opinions upon leaving the venue and in subsequent online comments.
Days before, on another stop of the tour in Charlotte (North Carolina), Stewart closed the song with a reflection on the tragic fate of many stars, pointing to the excesses that claimed so many livesThis reflection enriched the debate on the message of the tribute and the use of technology to pay homage to fallen idols.
Other gestures from Stewart towards Ozzy
Rod Stewart also showed his respect on social media, being one of the first to express his condolences on Instagram with a affectionate and brief messageIn his concerts, he has dedicated night after night to "Forever Young" to Ozzy, reinforcing his commitment to keeping the musician's memory alive in front of his fans.
The debate on the use of AI in tributes
The use of Artificial Intelligence to pay tribute to iconic figures has opened a debate on the taste, limits and contextFor many, the key is to maintain a balance between innovation and respect, ensuring that innovation does not overshadow the solemnity that the artist's memory deserves.
The controversy has also been intensified by the lack of explanations Regarding the details of the production, the singer's entourage offered no additional comment following the criticism, which has fueled the debate about the responsible use of technology in these contexts.
Stewart's initiative—halfway between the Classic tribute and the digital experiment— has highlighted how music addresses the memory of its legends: with emotion, with technological advances, and with the discussion generated by such striking and controversial proposals.
