Rod Stewart Pays Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne with AI Imagery at Concert
On August 1st, British singer-songwriter Rod Stewart made headlines during his concert at the Ameris Bank Amphitheater near Atlanta, Georgia. The iconic artist showcased a unique tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away on July 22, by projecting AI-generated images of Osbourne alongside legendary musicians in a heavenly setting.
Throughout his "One Last Time" tour, Stewart has been honoring Osbourne by dedicating his heartfelt ballad "Forever Young" to the Black Sabbath frontman. Traditionally, this tribute involved displaying classic images of Osbourne as Stewart performed, creating a touching homage. However, the August 1 concert took an unexpected turn. As Stewart sang, the visuals transitioned from standard photos of Osbourne to captivating AI-generated scenes featuring him with musical greats such as Prince, Tina Turner, Bob Marley, Freddie Mercury, Kurt Cobain, George Michael, and Amy Winehouse, all set against a backdrop of clouds to evoke a celestial afterlife.
The show also included AI visuals of Osbourne alongside other notable figures, including the controversial Michael Jackson and XXXTentacion. At a previous performance in Charlotte, North Carolina, Stewart reflected on the loss of these artists, remarking, “Very sad. A lot of those people died ’cause of drugs… I’m still here, though!”
Audience reactions were mixed, with many concertgoers expressing their surprise and confusion over the AI imagery on social media. On the day of Osbourne’s passing, Stewart shared an emotional tribute on Instagram, stating, “Bye, bye Ozzy. I’ll see you up there—later rather than sooner.”
As Stewart continues his tour across the United States until early October before heading to Europe, he has not yet addressed the reactions to his innovative yet controversial tribute. Fans and music lovers are left wondering how this creative approach will evolve in the coming performances.
