Johnny Depp rocks in surprise tribute to Ozzy Osbourne

Johnny Depp made a surprise return to the stage Friday night, joining Alice Cooper at London’s O2 Arena for an emotional tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne. The crowd erupted as the actor and musician appeared unannounced, guitar in hand, during a performance of Black Sabbath’s Paranoid, a song now etched with deeper meaning.

Ozzy Osbourne, known as the ‘Prince of Darkness’, died Tuesday at the age of 76, just weeks after performing what would become his final show with Black Sabbath. News of his death, reportedly following cardiac complications, left the rock community reeling.

Alice Cooper, 77, led the tribute with raw emotion. “Let’s hear it for Ozzy!” he shouted, as the crowd roared back. Depp, cigarette dangling from his mouth, joined Cooper’s band for a medley of classics, his guitar work amplifying the grief and energy of the moment.

Earlier this week, Cooper had dedicated a show in Cardiff to Ozzy, but the London gig felt like a proper send-off. “When giants fall, it’s hard to accept,” he told the audience. “Even though we saw it coming with Ozzy, it still took our breath away.”

Cooper later described Ozzy as both the ‘prince of darkness’ and the ‘court jester’, a rare blend of theatrical menace and humour that made him iconic. “Rock and roll is a fraternity,” he said. “When we lose one of our own, it bleeds.”

Social media quickly lit up with clips of Depp onstage, fans praising the raw, heartfelt performance and Depp’s unannounced participation. Many noted that this was not just a tribute, but a moment of history for longtime fans of the genre.

As the show ended, Cooper’s final words lingered, “Rest easy, Ozzy. We’ll see you on the other side.”