Rod Stewart’s tribute to Ozzy Osbourne has sparked mixed reactions. During his “One Last Time” tour, Stewart began dedicating his song Forever Young to the Black Sabbath legend following Osbourne’s death on July 22. What stood out most, though, was how he chose to honor him.
According to Fox News, the tribute featured an AI-generated video of Osbourne alongside other late icons, including Michael Jackson, Prince, Tina Turner, Bob Marley, Freddie Mercury, Kurt Cobain, George Michael, and Amy Winehouse. While some fans saw it as a creative celebration of rock history, others found it unsettling and criticized the approach online.
A Gesture That Divided Fans
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Reactions to Rod Stewart’s tribute to Ozzy Osbourne have been sharply divided. One fan on social media called it “the most distasteful thing I’ve seen,” while others labeled it “tacky” and “embarrassing.” Still, many defended Stewart’s intentions, with one person writing, “If this is Rod’s way of showing respect, that’s his way. Everyone grieves differently.”
Stewart also reflected on the moment during a performance in Charlotte, North Carolina. After finishing Forever Young, he told the crowd, “Very sad. A lot of those people died ’cause of drugs… I’m still here, though!” He previously shared a personal message on Instagram, saying, “Bye, bye, Ozzy. I’ll see you up there—later rather than sooner.”
Honoring a Rock Legend
As debates continue over Rod Stewart’s tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, thousands of fans have been paying their respects in more traditional ways. A massive procession filled the streets of Birmingham to celebrate Osbourne’s life, while close friends and family attended a private ceremony at his Buckinghamshire estate, where he was laid to rest near a lake.
For some, Stewart’s high-tech homage reflects how artists are using new tools to honor their peers. For others, it highlights how mourning a legend like Ozzy Osbourne remains deeply personal, no matter the method.