Ever since rock legend Ozzy Osbourne died on July 22, tributes and remembrances have been pouring in from everyone. While many — such as from longtime friends and bandmates Zakk Wylde and Tony Iommi — were expected, others were more surprising. Who knew that Ozzy had such a significant impact on singer and actress Juliette Lewis?
Rod Stewart may not seem like the most likely pal of Ozzy, but the two British musicians were friendly and have even sung together, such as at Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee in 2002. When Ozzy died, Stewart posted his own tribute on Instagram. “Bye, bye Ozzy. Sleep well, my friend. I’ll see you up there — later rather than sooner,” he wrote in the caption.
Bu
t Stewart’s most recent tribute to the Prince of Darkness — a video he’s been showing at concerts –has left fans with mixed feelings.
Rod Stewart’s Heavenly Ozzy Tribute Sparks Mixed Feelings
During several of his recent shows, Stewart decided to play an A.I.-generated video dedicated to Ozzy during his cover of Bob Dylan’s Forever Young.” A fan who was at one of the shows posted footage on TikTok showing Ozzy in what appears to be heaven, holding a selfie stick and taking photos with a vast array of dead musicians.
“Last night I went to a Rod Stewart concert and he played this “tribute” to Ozzy. The selfie sticks in heaven?!! XXXTentacion?!” the TikToker captioned the video. The artists shown included XXXTentacion, Prince, Tina Turner, Janis Joplin, Bob Marley, Tupac Shakur, Aaliyah, Michael Jackson, Freddie Mercury, George Michael, and Kurt Cobain, to name a few.
“Hell nah,” wrote one commenter. “Bro this is insane,” wrote another.
Some didn’t see what the big deal was, though, and thought the video was great.
“Hilarious. somebody show Sharon,” commented a fan. “Love it!” another wrote.
According to the “Charlotte Observer,” he spoke about the video during his show in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“Very sad. A lot of those people died ’cause of drugs,” Stewart said to the crowd before adding, “I’m still here, though!”
@iamsloanesteel Last night I went to a Rod Stewart concert and he played this “tribute” to Ozzy. The selfie sticks in heaven?!! XXXTentacion?! #ozzyosbourne #rodstewart #XXXTentacion
Rod Stewart Honors Ozzy Osbourne with ‘Forever Young’ Dedication
After Ozzy’s death, Stewart began dedicating “Forever Young” to him at each of his shows. One fan at his Mansfield, Massachusetts show on July 26 took a video showing Stewart speaking, as a photo of Ozzy appeared on the screen.
“We lost a really, true legend this week in Ozzy… I knew his family very well,” he told the crowd before seemingly addressing Ozzy. “I’ll be with you soon… but not too soon.”
