In the wake of Ozzy Osbourne’s death on July 22, 2025, at age 76, rock icon Rod Stewart has stirred a maelstrom of controversy with an unconventional tribute during his “One Last Time” tour. What began as a simple dedication of his 1988 hit “Forever Young” to the Black Sabbath frontman has evolved into a spectacle featuring artificial intelligence-generated visuals that depict Osbourne cavorting in a heavenly realm with deceased music legends. Concertgoers in venues like North Carolina have witnessed screens displaying AI-rendered scenes of Osbourne taking selfies with the likes of Tina Turner, George Michael, Amy Winehouse, Michael Jackson, Prince, and Bob Marley, all portrayed in ethereal, otherworldly settings.

This digital homage, first introduced shortly after Osbourne’s passing, has quickly escalated from a poignant nod to a polarizing gimmick. Stewart, at 80, announced the dedication on the night of Osbourne’s death with a static photo, but subsequent shows incorporated the elaborate AI video, blending nostalgia with cutting-edge technology in a way that has left audiences divided.

The Backlash Builds

Critics and fans alike have decried the tribute as tasteless and exploitative, arguing it trivializes death and disrespects the legacies of the artists involved. Social media erupted with outrage, with one user on X posting, “This is so disrespectful it’s not even funny,” echoing sentiments reported in Newsweek. The video’s cartoonish quality—Osbourne grinning amid clouds, snapping photos with spectral celebrities—has been labeled “audacious AI slop” by outlets like Stereogum, which highlighted its departure from traditional memorials.

Further fueling the fire, reports from The Independent noted the inclusion of other late stars without apparent consent from their estates, raising questions about digital ethics. Fans on X have drawn parallels to past AI controversies in music, such as U2’s Elvis tribute or opposition to AI vocals in Steve Marriott recordings, underscoring a broader unease with technology resurrecting the dead for entertainment.

Industry Insiders Weigh In

Music industry veterans see this as a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over AI’s role in live performances. “It’s a terrible sign that we’re starting to lose sense of the difference between handmade art and generated content,” one X post lamented, reflecting sentiments from creative professionals wary of AI’s encroachment. According to Fox News, the tribute has sparked debates among fans, with some praising its innovative spirit while others demand accountability, one even calling for “jail immediately” in a viral reaction covered by People.

Legal experts point to potential pitfalls, including unauthorized use of likenesses. A recent X post from a legal commentator highlighted how Stewart’s video “raises legal eyebrows,” linking to analyses that echo concerns in TMZ, which described the tribute as backfiring spectacularly. Estates of the depicted artists could pursue claims under right-of-publicity laws, especially as AI tools make such recreations easier and more contentious.

Ethical and Future Implications

Beyond legality, the episode underscores ethical dilemmas in an era where AI can fabricate realities. Stewart’s team has yet to respond publicly, but insiders speculate this could prompt tighter regulations on AI in tributes, similar to backlash against generative tools in recordings, as noted in historical X discussions about The Beatles’ use of machine learning for track isolation, per Ultimate Classic Rock. For industry insiders, it’s a cautionary tale: while AI offers creative possibilities, mishandling it risks alienating audiences who crave authenticity.

As Stewart’s tour continues, the tribute’s fate remains uncertain. Some fans, per reports in Daily Mail, have called it “disgusting,” yet others view it as a bold, if bizarre, evolution of memorializing rock royalty. This controversy may well define how the music world navigates technology’s intersection with grief, pushing for guidelines that honor the human element amid digital innovation.