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Johnny Depp Reportedly at Jeff Beck’s Bedside When He Died

Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

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.”

Jeff Beck: Tributes Pour in Honoring Iconic Guitarist

Jeff Beck suddenly died yesterday (January 10) at the age of 78. His family confirmed in a statement that his cause of death was the result of bacterial meningitis.

Beck’s influence on guitar playing cannot be overstated. He is widely regarded as one of the best guitarists of all time. He is respected by legions of fans, as well as his peers. The love and respect for Beck is evident in how many music legends took to social media to pay tribute to him.

Below are just some of the notable tributes to Beck.

  • Jimmy Page

    “The six stringed Warrior is no longer here for us to admire the spell he could weave around our mortal emotions. Jeff could channel music from the ethereal. His technique unique. His imaginations apparently limitless. Jeff I will miss you along with your millions of fans. Jeff Beck Rest in Peace.”

  • Rod Stewart

    “Jeff Beck was on another planet. He took me and Ronnie Wood to the USA in the late 60s in his band the Jeff Beck Group and we haven’t looked back since. He was one of the few guitarists that when playing live would actually listen to me sing and respond. Jeff, you were the greatest, my man. Thank you for everything. RIP.”

  • Ronnie Wood

    “Now Jeff has gone, I feel like one of my band of brothers has left this world, and I’m going to dearly miss him. I’m sending much sympathy to Sandra, his family, and all who loved him. I want to thank him for all our early days together in Jeff Beck Group, conquering America.”

  • Ozzy Osbourne

    “I can’t express how saddened I am to hear of @JeffBeckMusic’s passing. What a terrible loss for his family, friends & his many fans. It was such an honor to have known Jeff & an incredible honor to have had him play on my most recent album, #PatientNumber9. Long live #JeffBeck“

  • Tony Iommi

    “I was totally shocked to hear the very sad news of Jeff Beck’s passing. Jeff was such a nice person and an outstanding iconic, genius guitar player – there will never be another Jeff Beck. His playing was very special & distinctively brilliant! He will be missed. RIP Jeff -Tony”

  • Geezer Butler

    “Shocked to hear of the sudden death of Jeff Beck. Truly one of the greats. First time I saw him was in 1966 with the Yardbirds. Brilliant, unique guitarist. RIP.”

  • Mick Jagger

    “With the death of Jeff Beck we have lost a wonderful man and one of the greatest guitar players in the world. We will all miss him so much.”

  • Dave Davies

    “I’m heartbroken. He looked in fine shape to me. Playing great, he was in great shape. I’m shocked and bewildered. Deepest sympathy to his wife, friends, close ones. I’m bewildered. Jeff Beck, it don’t make sense. I don’t get it. He was a good friend and a great guitar player.”

  • Brian May

    “Gutted, so sad, to hear of Jeff’s passing. He was the Guv’nor. He was inimitable, irreplaceable – the absolute pinnacle of guitar playing. And a damn fine human being. I’m sure I will have a lot to say, but right now …. Just lost for words. Bri. #jeffbeck”

  • Steve Vai

    “In the pantheons of guitar players, @jeffbeckofficial was the chosen one. He left us with so much beauty and light in our music world. I can’t imagine the landscape of contemporary guitar playing if he had never been here, but as everything comes and goes in this world, his contribution reshaped our imagination of what the guitar can do forever. Thank you master. You really did it and we so much appreciate you.”

  • Sammy Hagar

    “Absolutely one of my favorite guitarist of all time! The ‘Truth’ album changed my life. As a singer and guitarist, I wanted to be Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart rolled into one— we all did. What a loss. We will all miss Jeff. My love and condolences to his family and loved ones.”

  • Michael Anthony

    “o sad to hear of the passing of Jeff Beck, he was definitely one of a kind. The Truth and Blow by Blow albums are two of my favorites, and definitely influenced me growing up playing music. I was fortunate to jam with Jeff a few times, here is one charity event we played with Billy F Gibbons, and Jimmy Vaughn, what a great night!! RIP, Jeff, you will be greatly missed…”

  • Brian Wilson

    “I’m so sad to hear about Jeff Beck passing. Jeff was a genius guitar player, and me and my band got to see it close up when we toured with him in 2013. One of the highlights we did was ‘Danny Boy’ – we both loved that song. Love & Mercy to Jeff’s family.”

  • David Gilmour

    “I am devastated to hear the news of the death of my friend and hero Jeff Beck, whose music has thrilled and inspired me and countless others for so many years.
    Polly‘s and my thoughts go out to his lovely wife Sandra. He will be forever in our hearts.”

  • Def Leppard (Joe Elliott and Rick Savage)

    “I just heard the news about the passing of one of the greatest guitarists to ever walk the earth … Jeff Beck had it all from his early work with The Yardbirds & Rod Stewart in the Jeff Beck Group right up to his recent work with Johnny Depp & Ozzy … I had the amazing opportunity in 2016 to see him perform with Phil at the Classic Rock awards in Tokyo & share a few sherbets with him afterwards …Much love to his family & fans … I hate January!” – Joe Elliott

    “I’m in absolute shock at the passing of guitar god Jeff Beck. A true legend who inspired so many of us. I loved spending time with him whilst recording in Holland. We were doing Hysteria and he was recording with Mick Jagger on Mick’s first solo album. One of the true originals has departed and will never, ever be replaced.” – Rick Savage

  • Bernie Marsden

    “It’s with great sadness I post this photo. I first saw Jeff when my band opened for the Jeff Beck Group in 1968. After that I soon realised his sheer genius, a genius that continued for all his life. Now he’s gone, the best of the best. I’m devastated.

    I was fortunate that we became quite close, especially when the great drummer Jimmy Copley died in 2017. Jeff produced & played with Jim’s band Upp. We were regular hospital visitors & bonded in our anxieties over our dear friend. Tonight I’m raising a glass to him, Jimmy & Cozy.

    He always warmly welcomed me at his gigs over the years, as interested in my car as he was guitars, he was very funny to hang out with and easy to be around, which is perhaps different to what his image suggested – he loved that. My deep condolences to his wife Sandra.”

  • David Bowie

    “Sad to hear about the passing of guitarist Jeff Beck who died aged 78 on Tuesday after suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis. Our thoughts are with his family who have asked for privacy during this sad time. Jeff is pictured here with David at Les Paul’s 95th Birthday in 2010”

  • Paul Stanley

    “WOW. What awful news. Jeff Beck, one of the all time guitar masters has died. From The Yardbirds and The Jeff Beck Group on, he blazed a trail impossible to follow. Play on now and forever.”

  • Gene Simmons

    “Heartbreaking news to report the late, great Jeff Back has sadly passed. No one played guitar like Jeff. Please get ahold of the first two Jeff Beck Group albums and behold greatness. RIP.”

  • Glenn Hughes

    “Farewell to the King #goat I’m shocked & saddened. There will never be another like you, my old friend. RIP Jeff.”

  • Ann Wilson

    “Travel on, Master Jeff! Find new harmonics. We’ll miss you.”

  • Steve Hackett

    “Devastating news about the loss of much loved, influential guitar legend Jeff Beck. He made the electric guitar sing… a powerful influence on myself and many others.”

  • Mike McCready

    “Saddened to hear Jeff Beck has passed away. I was lucky to see him once and I stood in awe of his genius. Thank you, Jeff, for being amazing to us guitar players…”

  • David Coverdale

    “Oh, My Heart…RIP, Jeff…I miss you already…”

  • Johnny Marr

    “RIP Jeff Beck. A pioneer and one of the all time greats.”

  • William DuVall

    “Just learned of the passing of the great Jeff Beck. One of the brightest and boldest innovators on the electric guitar to ever live. A timeless inspiration. May he rest in peace.”

  • Kathy Valentine

    “OMG this is just horrible. I’m stunned. I’ve been obsessed with Jeff Beck since I was a young teenager”

  • Michael McKean

    “Jeff Beck was like no one else. It wasn’t just skills and soul, he had his own vocabulary. A great musician like this leaves such a void. RIP JB”

  • Bret Michaels

    “My condolences to the family & friends of #JeffBeck. His album ‘Wired’ was a guitar soundtrack of my youth.”

  • Gibson Guitars

    “We are deeply saddened to hear of Jeff Beck’s passing. He was and always will be an inspiration. Our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and fans. Rest easy, Jeff. Thank you for the music.”

  • Michael Des Barres

    “Jeff Beck⁩ was the Picasso of Rock & Roll. Unlike every other guitar player, he created music that literally sounded as if he was an alien,following no rules, no clichés,a true master of the instrument. I am shocked and saddened by his passing RIP Jeff Beck.”

  • LeAnn Rimes

    “so sad to hear of the passing of a legend… my sweet, unique, insanely gifted friend @jeffbeckmusic. what an honor it was to share the stage with you, to create with you… there’s no one like you. #ripjeffbeck #RipLegend #jeffbeck”

  • Rick Springfield

    “The great Jeff Beck has taken his genius and gone home. My guitar idol since age 15. For the uninitiated, check out his amazing work on (where do I begin) Roger Waters ‘Amused to Death’. His gift was impossible to copy and won’t be repeated. Thankful for huge legacy. God speed JB.”

  • Jeff Scott Soto

    “Truly at a loss for words, another hero/pioneer/trailblazer leaves us….RIP to the true legend, the Guv’nor, Jeff Beck!!”

Erica Banas is a news blogger who's been covering the rock/classic rock world since 2014. The coolest event she's ever covered in person was the 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. (Sir Paul McCartney inducting Foo Fighters? C'mon now!) She's also well-versed in etiquette and extraordinarily nice. #TransRightsAreHumanRights

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Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter
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