Rod Stewart is facing blowback for showing a bizarre Ozzy Osbourne tribute during his recent concert: an AI-generated video of the late Black Sabbath frontman partying in heaven with other dead music greats.
While performing his classic song “Forever Young” during a concert stop at Alpharetta, Georgia’s Ameris Bank Amphitheatre on Friday, the 80-year-old Rock & Roll Hall of Famer screened an AI-generated montage showing Osbourne taking photos on a selfie stick in heaven with other late musicians, including Prince, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Kurt Cobain, 2Pac, Aaliyah, XXXTentacion and Freddie Mercury.
The clip was also on view during his set in Charlotte earlier in the week. After it played, Stewart reportedly said: “Very sad. A lot of those people died ’cause of drugs… I’m still here, though!”
The tribute, maybe intended as a loving tribute, hit a flat note with many concertgoers.
“This… looks like one of the drug induced psychosis that led Ozzy to rehab. Outstanding, 7/10. Could have been a 10 if they randomly added Princess Diana and someone who hasn’t died yet,” one social media user said, adding that it’s giving “Weekend at Bernie’s vibes.”
“Yes the rumors are true: I went to a Rod Stewart concert last night (lol) and witnessed man-made horrors beyond my comprehension,” a TikTok user added.
@iamsloanesteel Last night I went to a Rod Stewart concert and he played this “tribute” to Ozzy. The selfie sticks in heaven?!! XXXTentacion?! #ozzyosbourne #rodstewart #XXXTentacion
Another fan tweeted: “This is bizarre for many reasons, not the least of which being the fact that Rod Stewart has performed with Ozzy Osbourne. Instead of blasting AI images of Ozzy in heaven, they could show this real & quite lovely picture of Rod Stewart with his arm around the actual Ozzy Osbourne.”
According to Billboard, the “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” crooner told the audience at the July 26 concert in Mansfield, Massachusetts, “We lost a really, true legend this week in Ozzy… I knew his family very well,” as a photo of Osbourne filled the screen.
“I”ll be with you soon… but not too soon,” Stewart quipped.
Osbourne, also known as The Prince of Darkness, died July 22 at age 76 after longstanding health battles, including Parkinson’s disease.
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