Johnny Depp Joins Alice Cooper’s Band to Perform an Ozzy Osbourne Tribute at the O2 Arena
via Music News Radio / YouTube
A Surprise Tribute at the O2 Arena
Alice Cooper honored Ozzy Osbourne during his show at London’s O2 Arena on Friday, July 25 — just three days after the rock legend’s death was announced by his family. The tribute became even more special when Johnny Depp, Cooper’s longtime friend and bandmate, walked on stage with guitar in hand.
The crowd erupted as Depp joined the performance halfway through BLACK SABBATH’s 1970 hit “Paranoid.” Cooper wore an Ozzy Osbourne T-shirt and raised his fist as the song ended, showing deep respect for the heavy metal icon.
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More Than Just One Song
The concert was part of Cooper’s sold-out show with Judas Priest and also celebrated the release of The Revenge of Alice Cooper — the band’s first album of new material in over 50 years, following 1973’s Muscle of Love. Depp didn’t stop at just the Ozzy tribute; he stayed on stage for one more song.
He performed “School’s Out” with original band members Dennis Dunaway, Neal Smith, and Michael Bruce. The crowd responded with loud cheers, making the moment unforgettable.
Longtime Friends and Bandmates
Cooper and Depp have been performing together in the supergroup Hollywood Vampires since 2012, along with Joe Perry and Tommy Henriksen. Their most recent album, Rise, came out in 2019. Depp’s appearance at the London show was both a musical and personal gesture.
In an interview with Planet Rock on the same day as the show, Cooper shared his feelings about Ozzy’s passing. “I was on my way to the stage when I heard about [his death],” Cooper said. “And I went, ‘Oh, that’s not right.’ He just did this [show]. And I saw him. He was singing well.”
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Honoring a Rock Legend
Cooper told the audience, “Everybody, let’s say goodnight to Ozzy.” The crowd responded by chanting his name: “Ozzy, Ozzy.” He said Ozzy was “a very beloved character in rock,” and the reaction from the fans clearly showed it.
Speaking later on The Scott Mills Breakfast Show, Cooper said Ozzy was a “lifer” in the world of rock music. “There’s certain guys who are lifers. The Stones, The Beatles — that are still doing it. And doing it amazingly well. And I just felt, ‘I’m going to do this til’ I can’t do it.’ And I think Ozzy was the same thing.”
A Loss Felt Across Music
Ozzy’s family said in their statement that he died “with his family and surrounded by love.” He had revealed in 2020 that he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2003. Following his death, artists like Yungblud, Elton John, Gene Simmons, and Jason Momoa also shared tributes.
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