On July 25, 2025, London’s O2 Arena pulsed with raw energy as shock rock legend Alice Cooper took the stage for a sold-out concert alongside Judas Priest. The night, already charged with the release of Cooper’s first new album in over 50 years, The Revenge of Alice Cooper, became unforgettable when Hollywood superstar Johnny Depp made a surprise appearance to honor the recently departed Ozzy Osbourne. As Cooper and his band launched into a thunderous cover of Black Sabbath’s 1970 classic “Paranoid,” Depp strode onstage, guitar in hand, igniting a frenzy among the 12,000 fans. This heartfelt tribute to Osbourne, who passed away on July 22 at 76 after a battle with Parkinson’s disease, marked a moment of rock ‘n’ roll brotherhood, celebrating the legacy of the “Prince of Darkness.” Drawing on recent reports, this article explores the emotional weight of the tribute, the bond between Depp, Cooper, and Osbourne, and the cultural significance of this historic night.

The Stage Is Set: A Night of Rock and Remembrance

Ozzy Osbourne’s death on July 22, 2025, sent shockwaves through the music world. The Black Sabbath frontman, born John Michael Osbourne in Birmingham, England, in 1948, co-founded the band that birthed heavy metal, delivering iconic tracks like “Paranoid” and “Iron Man.” His solo career, with hits like “Crazy Train,” earned him a solo Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2024, alongside Black Sabbath’s in 2006. Despite health struggles, including Parkinson’s and a 2019 fall requiring multiple surgeries, Osbourne performed a final, triumphant show at Birmingham’s Villa Park on July 5, 2025, with Black Sabbath, joined by stars like Metallica and Yungblud, as reported by The Guardian. His passing, confirmed by his family in a statement to People, left fans and peers mourning a “beloved character in rock.”

Alice Cooper, a longtime friend and collaborator, was devastated. Speaking to Planet Rock on July 25, hours before the O2 Arena show, Cooper recalled learning of Osbourne’s death en route to the stage: “I went, ‘Oh, that’s not right.’ He just did this [show]. And I saw him. He was singing well. But when it finally hit, it was just one of those, ‘Yeah.’ Even though you know it’s coming … what a shock to the system.” Cooper, 77, and Osbourne shared a “mutual respect,” having performed together at events like a Brazilian soccer stadium concert and collaborated on Cooper’s 1991 album Hey Stoopid, where Osbourne lent vocals. Their bond was further cemented through shared musicians and the rock ‘n’ roll ethos of perseverance, with Cooper calling Osbourne a “lifer” akin to The Rolling Stones or The Beatles.

The O2 Arena concert, part of a tour celebrating The Revenge of Alice Cooper—the first album with original band members Dennis Dunaway, Neal Smith, and Michael Bruce since 1973’s Muscle of Love—was already a historic event. But the tribute to Osbourne, amplified by Depp’s unexpected appearance, transformed it into a rock ‘n’ roll elegy, as Daily Mail described.

The Tribute: Johnny Depp’s Surprise Entrance

As Cooper, clad in an Ozzy Osbourne T-shirt, led his band—including guitarist Nita Strauss—into the opening riffs of “Paranoid,” the crowd roared. Halfway through the song, Johnny Depp, 62, emerged, sporting a Captain Jack Sparrow-style scarf, sunglasses, and a guitar. The O2 Arena erupted, with fans capturing the moment on phones, as seen in YouTube footage shared by NBC New York. Depp, a member of the supergroup Hollywood Vampires alongside Cooper, Joe Perry, and Tommy Henriksen since 2012, seamlessly joined the performance, playing the song’s iconic riff with swagger. Cooper, raising his fist skyward as the song ended, shouted, “Here’s for Ozzy!” prompting chants of “Ozzy! Ozzy!” from the crowd, as reported by Fox News.

The choice of “Paranoid,” Black Sabbath’s 1970 hit from their seminal album, was fitting. Written during a studio break and inspired by the band’s raw energy, it encapsulated Osbourne’s chaotic, electrifying presence. Depp’s guitar work, described by American Songwriter as “wild,” complemented Cooper’s theatrical delivery, creating a moment that “left the audience speechless,” per The Economic Times. The tribute didn’t end there. Depp stayed for a raucous rendition of Cooper’s “School’s Out,” joined by original Alice Cooper band members, and the night closed with Osbourne’s solo hit “Crazy Train,” a nod to his enduring solo legacy.

The Hollywood Vampires Connection

Depp and Cooper’s collaboration wasn’t a one-off. Since forming Hollywood Vampires in 2012, named after Cooper’s 1970s drinking club with Keith Moon and John Lennon, the duo has performed classic rock covers, including Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid,” at venues worldwide. Their 2019 album Rise featured tributes to rock legends, reflecting their mission to honor the genre’s pioneers. Depp, a seasoned guitarist who played with The Kids in the 1980s and later with artists like Oasis, brought a rock authenticity to the stage, despite his fame as the “Pirates of the Caribbean” star. Consequence noted that Depp’s appearance “caught fans off guard and gave the Osbourne tribute an emotional boost,” amplifying the night’s significance.

Cooper’s Cardiff show earlier that week had also honored Osbourne, but Depp’s London appearance elevated the tribute. “Well, we all know that time is going to take us rockers, but when the giants fall, it’s really hard to accept,” Cooper told the O2 crowd, as quoted by Men’s Journal. “So Ozzy and family—your records, your music, your legend, and all that you brought—the humor to the rock business—will live on forever, and we’re gonna miss you, man.” The performance, part of a setlist celebrating Cooper’s shock rock legacy, was a fitting homage to a peer who, like Cooper, redefined rock with theatricality and grit.

The Emotional and Cultural Impact

The tribute resonated deeply with fans and the music community. Social media buzzed with reactions, with X posts like “I saw Johnny Depp last night in London. He made a surprise appearance at the Alice Cooper gig I was at. I was so excited,” and “Lovely tribute last night to Ozzy by Alice Cooper featuring Johnny Depp,” per Fox News. Another fan, via ReemDepp on X, shared a clip of Depp’s entrance, captioned, “Johnny Depp 🥰♥️🎸 made a surprise appearance, joining Alice Cooper to cover ‘Paranoid’ for Ozzy Osbourne.” The viral footage, amassing over 1 million views, underscored the moment’s emotional weight.

Other artists joined the tributes. Yungblud vowed to play Black Sabbath’s “Changes” nightly, writing on Instagram, “You have been my North Star,” while Elton John, Jason Momoa, and Gene Simmons honored Osbourne, per People. Black Sabbath’s Geezer Butler, reflecting on the Villa Park show, wrote on social media, “I was so glad we got to do it one last time, back in Aston,” as cited by The Guardian. The O2 Arena performance, with Depp and Cooper, joined this wave of tributes, cementing Osbourne’s legacy as a cultural icon.

The night was also symbolic for Cooper. The release of The Revenge of Alice Cooper, celebrated with original band members and a livestreamed Q&A hosted by Sir Tim Rice, marked a rebirth for the shock rock pioneers. Depp’s presence, bridging Hollywood and heavy metal, added a layer of cultural significance, as Hindustan Times noted: “It wasn’t just a concert; it was a tribute, a celebration, and a goodbye to a rock legend.”

Ozzy Osbourne’s Enduring Legacy

Osbourne’s impact transcended music. His reality show The Osbournes redefined celebrity culture, while his Birmingham roots inspired tributes like the Black Sabbath Bench and a ballet. His final memoir, Last Rites, set for release in autumn 2025, promises to detail his “descent into hell” and health struggles, per NME. The Villa Park concert, livestreamed to 5.8 million and slated for a 2026 cinema release, showcased his resilience, performing seated in a bat-adorned throne. Cooper’s tribute, with Depp’s guitar, echoed this spirit, honoring a man who, as Cooper told The Scott Mills Breakfast Show, was “doing it amazingly well” until the end.

Depp’s involvement also highlighted his own resurgence. After personal and legal battles, his return to music and upcoming roles in Day Drinker with Penélope Cruz and a potential Pirates of the Caribbean sequel signal a comeback. His performance, described by Deadline as leaving “concertgoers stunned,” reinforced his credibility as a musician, not just an actor.

Broader Significance: Rock’s Brotherhood

The O2 Arena tribute underscored the camaraderie among rock’s pioneers. Cooper and Osbourne, both “lifers” in a genre they helped define, shared a history of mutual respect and shared stages. Depp’s participation, as a Hollywood Vampire, bridged generations, connecting the 1970s shock rock era to modern fans. The performance of “Paranoid,” a song that crystallized heavy metal’s raw power, was a fitting farewell, evoking Osbourne’s humor and defiance. As NBC New York reported, Cooper’s call for the crowd to chant “Ozzy! Ozzy!” united 12,000 voices in a moment of collective mourning and celebration.

This event also reflected the evolving nature of rock tributes. Unlike traditional memorials, the O2 Arena performance was a living celebration, aligning with Osbourne’s wish for a joyful farewell. It paralleled other 2025 tributes, like Kelly Osbourne’s funeral performance of “Changes” and Bella the Chihuahua’s vigil by Ozzy’s coffin, each capturing his multifaceted legacy—rock icon, family man, and animal lover.

Conclusion

Johnny Depp’s surprise appearance at Alice Cooper’s sold-out O2 Arena concert on July 25, 2025, transformed a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne into a rock ‘n’ roll legend. As Depp joined Cooper to perform Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid,” their shared history with Osbourne—through Hollywood Vampires and decades of mutual respect—came alive, electrifying 12,000 fans. The moment, marked by Cooper’s Ozzy T-shirt and the crowd’s chants, honored a man who redefined heavy metal and lived with unyielding spirit. From Villa Park to the O2, Osbourne’s legacy endures through music, family, and the brotherhood of rock. Depp and Cooper’s tribute, a blend of nostalgia and raw energy, ensured that the “Prince of Darkness” was celebrated as he lived—loudly, unapologetically, and forever.