Jeff Beck, Johnny Depp’s longtime friend and collaborator, has passed away.
The English guitarist died on Tuesday at the age of 78, and a source tells that the Pirates of the Caribbean star, 59, was “at Jeff’s bedside” with “many other rock icons” before his death.
According to the informant, they were close, and their bond deepened during their summer joint tour. “The illness worsened quickly, and everything deteriorated rapidly in the last couple of weeks.”
“Johnny is still processing this information.” The source says he is “heartbroken.”
Depp and Beck released their album, 18, on July 15, the previous year.
The band also created an official music video for the album’s lead single, “This Is a Song for Miss Hedy Lamarr.”
“It’s an unbelievable joy to play and make music with Jeff, one of the true greats and someone I am now privileged enough to call my brother,” the Sweeney Todd actor stated in a press release at the time.
Beck stated of Depp at the time, “I haven’t had another creative partner like Johnny in ages.” “He had a significant influence on this album. I hope people respect him as a musician since some people find it difficult to believe Johnny Depp can rock and roll.”
The duo also appeared in other performances.
Beck’s family confirmed his death in a statement on Wednesday.
“On behalf of his family, it is with deep and profound regret that we share the news of Jeff Beck’s passing,” the statement’s first sentence said. “He abruptly had bacterial meningitis, and yesterday he calmly went away.” His family requests privacy as they grieve his untimely demise.
Beck, who rose to prominence after replacing Eric Clapton as The Yardbirds’ guitarist in 1965, has been a part of many iconic musical moments over the years, from his work as lead guitarist on Mick Jagger’s debut album She’s the Boss to the title track on Ozzy Osbourne’s most recent album, Patient Number 9.
Sandra Beck, the wife of the eight-time Grammy winner, is still alive.
