Depp Dedicates Emotional Rendition of Bowie's "Heroes" to Late Musician and Friend, Jeff Beck.
Johnny Depp, turning 60 this week, honored the memory of his departed friend, Jeff Beck, during an emotionally-charged concert performance on Thursday. Depp, known for his acting prowess as well as his musical talent, paid tribute to the legendary English guitarist, who tragically passed away at 78 in January, by performing a passionate rendition of David Bowie's "Heroes."
Before launching into the song, Depp addressed the audience: "I should dedicate this song to one of all of our heroes, Mr. Jeff Beck," he declared, in a moment captured and shared by several concert-goers on social media platforms. The actor’s birthday eve performance also served to remind fans of the unique and cherished friendship he had shared with Beck.
Clad in a striped white shirt under a black vest, black trousers, and a black hat atop his long hair, with a faintly red scarf encircling his head, Depp strummed his guitar in sync with the Bowie classic. The moving tribute to Beck soon found its way to Twitter, sparking a flurry of emotional reactions from fans. "I am crying," posted one Twitter user, while another confessed, "My heart wasn't ready for that." Further reactions included comments such as, "I have goosebumps," and, "Dedicating Heroes to Jeff…perfect."
Depp’s tender gesture followed the sudden loss of Beck due to bacterial meningitis. The two musicians first crossed paths in 2016, finding common ground in their shared passions for music and automobiles. They soon began making music together in 2019, which ultimately led to tours across Europe and the U.S.
In the summer of the previous year, the artistic duo unveiled an album titled '18', featuring 13 tracks. This release prompted a series of concerts to promote their collaboration. Beck's sudden passing, shortly after falling ill, left many in shock, including Depp himself.
A source close to Depp revealed to People, "They had a really tight friendship, they were extremely close, and he got even closer over this past summer when they were touring together. The sickness came on really quickly and it all deteriorated rapidly. Johnny is still processing this news. He’s devastated." In a touching display of camaraderie, People also reported that the 'Edward Scissorhands' actor was present at Beck’s bedside, alongside "some other rock stars," in the moments before his death.