"Unbelievably inconsiderate spectacle, reminiscent of an unwanted cold dose of misery": Rod Stewart's so-called tribute to Ozzy Osbourne has received unfavorable reactions
Rod Stewart's AI-Generated Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne Sparks Debate
Rod Stewart's recent concert tour in the United States saw an unusual tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away two weeks ago. The performance of "Forever Young" was accompanied by an AI-generated video that depicted Osbourne interacting with various deceased music legends, including Bob Marley, Tina Turner, Prince, Freddie Mercury, Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse, Whitney Houston, and XXXTentacion.
The video has been viewed over three million times on Twitter and has stirred up controversy. Some viewers found it disrespectful and inappropriate, with one Twitter user calling it "the craziest, most disrespectful sh** I ever saw in my LIFE." Another user commented that they have seen "some sh**y AI visuals in concerts but this is a new low."
However, not everyone found the tribute disrespectful. One user asked why it is disrespectful, while another suggested that meeting with various stars in heaven is a good thing to wish for. Oasis have also been dedicating Rock N' Roll Star to Ozzy Osbourne at their gigs.
The use of AI to honor a friend and fellow musician is innovative, but it can feel unsettling or "tacky," raising questions about the ethics and artistic taste of such digital recreations. One analysis argued that Stewart's tribute demonstrates the cautionary lesson that "just because you can, doesn't mean you should," implying that the use of AI in memorializing late artists might cross boundaries of respect or aesthetic appropriateness.
Additionally, there was some confusion online about the video's origin, with a digital artist clarifying they did not create the video but discussed the AI process behind it, highlighting how AI-generated content can blur authorship and authenticity lines.
It is important to note that it is likely that Ozzy Osbourne, while alive, had no knowledge of XXXTentacion's existence, as the latter was a 'cloud' rapper who was murdered in 2018 at the age of 20.
In summary, Rod Stewart's AI tribute to Ozzy Osbourne is seen as a novel but divisive gesture. It showcases cutting-edge technology in live performance but also provokes debate over the propriety and emotional impact of digitally resurrecting deceased artists for tributes.
- The AI-generated tribute to Ozzy Osbourne by Rod Stewart, which featured a music video with various pop-culture icons, ignited a discussion about the ethics and aesthetics of resurrecting deceased artists for entertainment purposes.
- The use of AI in creating a music video to pay tribute to Ozzy Osbourne showcases the intriguing intersection of pop-culture and technology, yet it raises questions about the boundaries of respect and artistic taste in memorializing late artists.
