Johnny Depp Shocks Crowd at Alice Cooper’s Ozzy Osbourne Tribute in London
Johnny Depp made a surprise appearance at London’s O2 Arena on July 25, joining longtime friend Alice Cooper for a heartfelt tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne.
Just three days after the world learned of Ozzy’s passing, thousands of fans were moved to tears during a performance that felt like a true goodbye to one of rock’s most legendary voices.
A Night to Remember: “Paranoid” for Ozzy
Alice Cooper, 77, took the stage wearing a T-shirt honoring his late friend and fellow rock icon, Ozzy Osbourne. The concert — part of a co-headlining show with Judas Priest — was already charged with emotion. But mid-set, things took a powerful turn.
As Cooper launched into Black Sabbath’s classic hit “Paranoid,” the crowd erupted when Johnny Depp suddenly walked out with a guitar. The actor and seasoned musician, who has long played alongside Cooper, joined the tribute with an electrifying performance that honored Ozzy’s raw spirit and influence.
At the end of the song, Cooper raised his fist high, prompting the entire arena to chant “Ozzy! Ozzy!” in a spontaneous and emotional farewell to the Prince of Darkness.
Depp and Cooper’s Rock & Roll Brotherhood
Johnny Depp and Alice Cooper have shared the stage many times before. Alongside Aerosmith’s Joe Perry and guitarist Tommy Henriksen, they formed the supergroup Hollywood Vampires back in 2012. Together, they’ve toured the globe and released two studio albums, including Rise in 2019.
But this moment was about more than music.
Alice Cooper revealed that he learned of Ozzy’s death just before taking the stage.
“I was on my way to the stage when I heard about it,” Cooper told Planet Rock.
“Even though you know it’s coming, it’s still a shock to the system… He was a very beloved character in rock.”
One Last Song: “School’s Out”
After the powerful tribute with “Paranoid,” Depp stuck around for one more classic — Alice Cooper’s signature anthem “School’s Out.” This time, the performance featured Cooper’s original bandmates: Dennis Dunaway, Neal Smith, and Michael Bruce, making it an unforgettable moment for longtime fans.
While the night was originally planned to celebrate Cooper’s upcoming album The Revenge of Alice Cooper — his first LP of original material since 1973’s Muscle of Love — the show quickly became a tribute to Ozzy’s enduring legacy.
Remembering Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne passed away at age 76, surrounded by family. He had been living with Parkinson’s disease since being diagnosed in 2003, though he only made the news public in 2020.
Tributes from around the world poured in from fellow artists and entertainers — including Elton John, Gene Simmons, Jason Momoa, Yungblud, and now, Alice Cooper and Johnny Depp.
“Ozzy was a lifer,” Cooper said in a BBC Radio interview.
“There are some guys who were born to rock until the end — and Ozzy was one of them.”
A Farewell Loud Enough for the Gods of Rock
Johnny Depp’s surprise appearance and the emotionally charged rendition of “Paranoid” weren’t just part of a concert — they were a brotherly goodbye, shared with thousands of fans. Loud, raw, and unforgettable, the performance captured everything Ozzy stood for: heart, chaos, and love for the music.
Watch Johnny Depp and Alice Cooper’s Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne Below.
Rest in peace Ozzy!
