Johnny Depp and Jeff Beck were close friends. Last year, the actor/musician and guitar icon released an album together in July 2022 titled 18. Considering that, it’s not surprising Depp was reportedly at Beck’s bedside when he died on January 10 at age 78.
People reports a source says Depp is “totally devastated” by the loss of Beck, who died after contracting bacterial meningitis. The source added Depp was at Beck’s bedside when he died in addition to some unnamed rock stars. Additionally, the source said, “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 in the last couple weeks.”
Depp and Beck had a mutual admiration for one another. When they first announced their LP 18, Beck said of working with Depp, “I haven’t had another creative partner like him for ages. He was a major force on this record. I just hope people will take him seriously as a musician because it’s a hard thing for some people to accept that Johnny Depp can sing rock and roll.” Depp said of Beck, “It’s an extraordinary honor to play and write music with Jeff, one of the true greats and someone I am now privileged enough to call my brother.”