Depp was at Beck’s bedside before he passed away
Johnny Depp is reportedly “totally devastated” following the death of celebrated guitarist Jeff Beck.
Beck, who played with the Yardbirds and led the Jeff Beck Group, died aged 78, on Tuesday, his representatives confirmed earlier this week.
The performer, often described as one of the greatest guitarists of all time and an eight-time Grammy winner, died after “suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis”, the representative confirmed.
A source told People that Depp “is totally devastated” by Beck’s passing and that the Pirates of the Caribbean star was by the musician’s bedside along with “some other rock stars” before he passed away.
“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 source added to the publication.
“The sickness came on really quickly and it all deteriorated rapidly in the last couple weeks.”
The source said that Depp, 59, was “still processing the news. He’s devastated.”
On 15 July, Depp and Beck released their album, titled 18.
The duo also released an official music video for ‘This Is a Song for Miss Hedy Lamarr’, the first single off the album.
Depp said at the time that it was an “extraordinary honour to play and write music with Jeff, one of the true greats and someone I am now privileged enough to call my brother”.
“I haven’t had another creative partner like him for ages,” Beck said of Depp.
“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.”
The duo also performed several shows together.
Beck’s death was confirmed by his family, with “deep and profound sadness”.
“After suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis, he peacefully passed away yesterday. His family asks for privacy while they process this tremendous loss,” the statement read.
Through the years, Beck — who rose to fame in 1965 when he took over as guitarist for The Yardbirds, replacing Eric Clapton — was featured in iconic moments in music from his role as lead guitarist on Mick Jagger’s debut album, She’s the Boss ,to the title track on Ozzy Osbourne’s latest album titled Patient Number 9, People noted.
Beck is survived by his wife Sandra Beck.
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