Johnny Depp and Alice Cooper Rock London With “Paranoid” Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne

On July 25, 2025, Johnny Depp stunned the crowd at London’s O2 Arena by joining Alice Cooper and his band onstage to pay tribute to Ozzy Osbourne. The surprise appearance, coming just days after Ozzy’s passing, sent a jolt of excitement through the audience. Depp, a longtime friend of both Cooper and Ozzy, grabbed his guitar and helped launch into a raucous rendition of Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid,” setting the tone for an emotional and electrifying night.

The energy in the arena was undeniable. Fans who had come seeking comfort after Ozzy’s death found themselves swept up in a powerful communal experience. As Alice Cooper shouted, “Let’s hear it for Ozzy!” and Depp began to play, the whole place erupted. The moment wasn’t about nostalgia—it was about honoring a genuine legend, someone who shaped the lives of everyone in the building, artists and fans alike.

Depp’s history with Alice Cooper runs deep thanks to their years together in the supergroup Hollywood Vampires, where paying homage to rock icons is part of the DNA. But this night hit different. The song “Paranoid” carried more weight than ever, transforming into a heartfelt salute to a fallen brother and fellow survivor of rock’s wildest decades.

Videos of the performance quickly spread across social media, with fans and music critics alike praising the raw emotion of the night. Comments poured in describing it as “unforgettable” and “the best tribute Ozzy could have ever gotten.” Even those who had never seen Depp perform live before admitted to being moved by the authenticity and heart he brought to the stage.

Alice Cooper’s relationship with Ozzy Osbourne stretched back decades, marked by both camaraderie and chaos. They were known for pranking each other backstage and sharing a deep respect offstage, despite their wild reputations. Cooper has often described Ozzy as “family,” and the sincerity in his words that night was unmistakable.

Johnny Depp, too, had a special connection to Ozzy. There were even rumors years ago that Ozzy wanted Depp to portray him in a biopic—a role that never materialized but always made for a fun talking point between the two. On this night, Depp got to honor Ozzy not through film but through the universal language of music, channeling all the emotion of loss into each guitar lick.

The night’s setlist was stacked with classics, but nothing could top the adrenaline and emotion of that opening tribute. It didn’t matter if you were a lifelong Black Sabbath fan or someone new to the music; everyone in the arena felt the impact of the moment. Ozzy’s legacy came alive in every riff and every shout from the crowd.

What made the tribute even more poignant was its connection to Ozzy’s last concert, “Back to the Beginning,” earlier that month in Birmingham. That show, which reunited the original Black Sabbath lineup and raised millions for charity, had already set the tone for a summer of celebration and remembrance. Now, London’s O2 Arena was echoing with that same spirit.

Depp’s guitar work was understated and moving, allowing the music and emotion to do the talking. He didn’t upstage the band or ham it up for the cameras—instead, he poured his soul into the performance, letting fans know that this was personal. It was a tribute from one artist to another, filled with both grief and gratitude.

Backstage, insiders reported that Depp had flown in on short notice after reaching out to Cooper, simply asking how he could help honor Ozzy. Cooper reportedly replied, “Come play ‘Paranoid’ and do it like you mean it.” That’s exactly what Depp did, diving straight into the song with a perfect mix of respect and rock ‘n’ roll spirit.

Throughout the night, Alice Cooper continued to share memories of Ozzy, talking about his mischievous humor, his love for the stage, and the deep mark he left on everyone who ever worked with him. At one point, he dedicated the whole concert to Ozzy’s family, with a heartfelt message for Sharon, Jack, and Kelly.

The response from fans was overwhelming. Tears flowed, people hugged, and social media lit up with clips and reactions. Some described the experience as “cathartic”—a way to say goodbye and celebrate Ozzy’s life all at once. Others noted how fitting it was that the tribute involved not just longtime friends but artists who understood the full spectrum of Ozzy’s impact on rock.

That night at the O2 wasn’t just about mourning—it was about legacy. Johnny Depp and Alice Cooper brought together a crowd of thousands to honor a man who helped shape the very foundation of heavy metal and rock as we know it. Ozzy’s presence was felt in every note, every cheer, and every memory shared from the stage.

By the end of the night, one thing was clear: Ozzy’s spirit would continue to live on through the music, the friendships, and the endless energy he gave to the world. The London tribute, raw and real, was a reminder that legends never really leave us—they just find new ways to rock on.