Johnny Depp Joins Alice Cooper for Heartfelt Ozzy Osbourne Concert Salute
Jordan Collins here. Okay, I’ll explain, but try to keep up. You probably should already know this, but Johnny Depp stunned London fans by honoring Ozzy Osbourne just three days after the rock legend’s death.
On July 25 at London’s O2 Arena, Johnny Depp casually strolled onstage midset during Alice Cooper’s headline concert to perform Black Sabbath’s iconic hit “Paranoid.” Video footage posted to YouTube confirmed Depp’s bass guitar skills as the crowd erupted in cheers. Alice Cooper even sported an Ozzy fan T-shirt, chanting to the audience, “Here’s for Ozzy,” before launching into the heavy metal anthem that defined a generation.
Earlier that day, Cooper spoke with Planet Rock and shared his immediate reaction upon learning about Ozzy’s passing at age 76. “I was heading to the stage when I heard the news,” Cooper told the radio station. “It hit me hard, even though I knew it was coming.” He added at the show’s end, “Everybody, let’s say goodnight to Ozzy,” which triggered a spontaneous chant of “Ozzy, Ozzy” from the sold-out crowd.
But Depp is not the only artist paying tribute. British rocker Yungblud, born Dominic Harrison, posted on Instagram on July 24 that he will play Black Sabbath’s 1972 track “Changes” every single night for the rest of his life. He called Osbourne his “North Star” and confessed on social media that he’s “absolutely f–king shattered.” Yungblud’s promise echoes the heartfelt devotion fans and peers felt for the musician.
Ozzy’s daughter, Kelly Osbourne, also took to Instagram Stories with a poignant tribute on July 24, sharing the sorrowful lyrics of “Changes.” She captioned the post, “I feel unhappy. I am so sad. I lost the best friend I ever had,” reflecting the family’s grief after the Black Sabbath icon’s battle with Parkinson’s disease, confirmed by multiple outlets including E! News.
Born John Michael Osbourne in Birmingham, England, in 1948, Ozzy struggled academically due to dyslexia. He openly admitted to The Associated Press in 2010 that teasing over his reading difficulties fueled his passion for music. “If it wasn’t for The Beatles turning me onto music, I don’t know what I would have done,” Ozzy explained in that interview.
In 1968, Ozzy teamed up with Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, and guitarist Tony Iommi to form Black Sabbath, originally called Earth. Their dark, riff-driven sound aligned perfectly with their self-titled debut, catapulting them to international fame and cementing heavy metal’s foundations.
On the personal front, Ozzy married his first wife, Thelma Riley, in 1971. The couple had three children: Jessica, Louis, and Elliot. Despite the turbulence in his personal life and battles with addiction, Ozzy remained a beloved figure, known for snake-print stage outfits and boundary-pushing antics that earned him the nickname “Prince of Darkness.”
Johnny Depp’s surprise appearance alongside Alice Cooper serves as a testament to the deep respect artists across genres held for Ozzy Osbourne. It also underscores how music can unite fans worldwide in moments of loss and celebration.
So there you have it. If you ever doubted Depp’s rock cred or wondered how an unexpected stage cameo can electrify an arena, this should clear things up.
Well, now you finally understand!
Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! News, Planet Rock, Instagram, The Associated Press
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
