Johnny Depp stunned fans at London’s O2 Arena on July 25 when he made a surprise appearance during Alice Cooper’s emotional tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne. The performance, which came just three days after Ozzy’s death was announced, left thousands in tears — and served as a powerful farewell to one of rock’s most beloved icons.
A Night to Remember: “Paranoid” for Ozzy
Alice Cooper, 77, took the stage wearing an Ozzy Osbourne T-shirt and performed with fierce energy at his sold-out show, which was part of a co-headlining event with Judas Priest. But no one expected what came next.
Midway through the band’s performance of Black Sabbath’s classic “Paranoid,” the crowd erupted as Johnny Depp walked out with a guitar in hand. The Hollywood actor and longtime Cooper collaborator joined in the tribute, delivering a raw and electric performance that paid perfect homage to Ozzy’s legacy.
At the end of the song, Cooper raised his fist into the air. The entire arena joined him in chanting, “Ozzy! Ozzy!” — a spontaneous and moving goodbye to a rock legend.
Johnny Depp and Alice Cooper: A Rock Brotherhood
Depp and Cooper aren’t strangers to sharing the stage. The two have been part of the supergroup Hollywood Vampires since 2012, performing alongside Aerosmith’s Joe Perry and guitarist Tommy Henriksen. Together, they’ve toured the world and released two studio albums — with their most recent, Rise, coming out in 2019.
But this appearance wasn’t about promoting a record. It was personal.
Just moments before going on stage, Alice Cooper received the news of Ozzy’s passing.
“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 Final Song for the Night
After “Paranoid,” Depp remained on stage for one final number: “School’s Out,” a signature Alice Cooper anthem. He was joined by the original band lineup — Dennis Dunaway, Neal Smith, and Michael Bruce — making the moment even more powerful for longtime fans.
While the concert was originally meant to celebrate the band’s new album, The Revenge of Alice Cooper — their first LP of original material since 1973’s Muscle of Love — it quickly transformed into an unforgettable tribute to Ozzy.
Ozzy Osbourne’s Death and Legacy
Ozzy Osbourne passed away at age 76, surrounded by family, as confirmed in an official statement released by his loved ones. The rocker had been battling Parkinson’s disease since his diagnosis in 2003, which he revealed publicly in 2020.
Tributes have poured in from across the music and entertainment world — including Elton John, Yungblud, Jason Momoa, Gene Simmons, and now Alice Cooper and Johnny Depp.
“Ozzy was a lifer,” Cooper told BBC Radio’s Scott Mills.
“There are some guys who were born to rock until the end — and Ozzy was one of them.”
A Final Farewell — Loud, Raw, and Full of Love
The surprise appearance by Johnny Depp and the performance of “Paranoid” were more than just music. They were a farewell among brothers, shared on stage with thousands of fans — loud, real, and unforgettable.