Rod Stewart AI tribute draws mixed family response

An AI generated image at a Rod Stewart concert depicting Ozzy Osbourne with late stars drew mixed reactions from families and raised legal questions.

Rod Stewart AI tribute to Ozzy Osbourne draws mixed family reactions

At a Rod Stewart show at the Ameris Bank Amphitheater in Alpharetta on August 1, an AI generated sequence showed Ozzy Osbourne posing with late icons such as Prince, Tina Turner, Tupac and Amy Winehouse. The clip sparked swift online backlash, with critics calling it tasteless or disrespectful. Some relatives and estates issued cautious or supportive statements; Mopreme Shakur told TMZ he has no problem memorialising the greats, while Cleopatra Bernard said she was glad XXXTentacion had made an impact.

Legal observers warned that using the likenesses of deceased celebrities can trigger rights issues and licensing questions across jurisdictions. Intellectual property expert Mark Engelman told The Times that passing off and image rights matters may arise if estates have not licensed the content. A blogger who shared the clip later expressed regret, calling AI driven content “an insidious beast.” Osbourne’s family has acknowledged his death with a tribute from his daughter, while Stewart’s representatives did not respond to requests for comment.

This episode highlights a growing tension between tribute culture and the rights and ethics of AI memory. It exposes how audiences—fans, families, and brands—grapple with consent, licensing, and the emotional weight of seeing deceased legends in new, digital formats. The uneven reactions from estates show there is no single rule yet, and that public mood can swing quickly when memory and technology collide.

The incident also raises practical questions for events and studios: who licenses AI generated likenesses, what safeguards protect a person’s memory, and how should public tribute balance art with respect? As AI tools become more capable, a clear framework for consent, attribution, and licensing will be essential to avoid a lasting chill on creative experimentation.

Highlights

The conversation about AI and memory is only getting started.