by Johnny Depp: The Actor with a Secret Musical Career
While Johnny Depp is best known worldwide as one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed actors, having starred in blockbuster franchises like Pirates of the Caribbean and cult classic films like Edward Scissorhands, many fans may be surprised to learn of his hidden talents and career in music. Beyond his movie roles, Depp is a highly skilled guitarist and has been playing in bands for decades. His musical passions and abilities have often taken a backseat to his blockbuster film career, but music has always been an important creative outlet for the multi-talented star. Here is a closer look at Johnny Depp’s lesser known but significant career in rock music.
Early Musical Influences
Growing up in Kentucky in the 1960s, a young Depp was heavily influenced by the rock music of the era. Artists like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Who left a lasting impression and sparked his interest in picking up the guitar at a young age. He began taking lessons and practicing diligently in his teens. Depp has cited legendary guitarists like Keith Richards, Jimi Hendrix, and Joe Perry as major inspirations for his playing style over the years. By high school, he had started playing in garage bands, cutting his teeth performing covers of his favorite rock songs in local venues. These formative years nurtured Depp’s love of rock music and set the stage for his future as a guitarist.
First Professional Band: The Kids
One of Depp’s earliest professional bands was a hard rock group called The Kids, which he co-founded in Los Angeles in the early 1980s after relocating from Florida. The band played a raw, bluesy style influenced by artists like The Rolling Stones and Aerosmith. They gained a local following performing the Sunset Strip club circuit. While The Kids didn’t achieve widespread success, it was an important first step for Depp to hone his skills as a guitarist and performer on professional stage. It also allowed him to further cultivate his rock star image before breaking into films. The band served as Depp’s musical training ground before bigger opportunities arose.
Breakthrough Role and Rock Star Image
When Depp landed his career-making role in the cult classic 21 Jump Street in 1987, his rock star good looks and rebellious image were a big part of the character that resonated with audiences, particularly teenage girls. Around this time, he also started dating singer Sheryl Crow and further cultivated his image as a guitar-slinging heartthrob. This helped raise his profile in the music world as well and associated him with rock even before achieving major film stardom. His rock roots and authentic musician sensibilities have remained an integral part of Depp’s public persona to this day.
Hollywood Vampires
In 2015, Depp fulfilled a lifelong dream of being in a supergroup when he co-founded Hollywood Vampires with Alice Cooper and Aerosmith’s Joe Perry. Paying tribute to 1970s rockers who frequented the famous drinking club of the same name, the band covers classic rock songs from the likes of The Who, The Doors, and Led Zeppelin. They blend boozy, hard rock energy with virtuosic playing. Hollywood Vampires’ self-titled 2015 debut album was a critical and commercial success. They have since toured internationally. Being in the band allowed Depp to flex his musical muscles alongside icons while having fun recreating the rock debauchery of Hollywood’s golden era. It also cemented his status as a serious rock musician among music industry peers.
Collaboration with Jeff Beck
In addition to his work with Hollywood Vampires, Depp has developed a creative partnership with legendary guitarist Jeff Beck in recent years. They’ve recorded several albums together including 2019’s acclaimed Beck-Depp collaboration “Wow.” On the recordings and in live shows, Depp plays rhythm guitar and contributes vocals to Beck’s instrumentals. Their chemistry shines through intricate playing and bluesy rock sensibilities. Beck has praised Depp as both a talented musician and collaborator. Their partnership has further elevated Depp’s reputation among serious musicians and fans, showcasing his skills are far beyond just hobby level.
Songwriting Talents
While often working as a guitarist and vocalist, Depp has also flexed his songwriting talents over the years. He’s composed original songs that have appeared on Hollywood Vampires albums as well as his collaborations with Jeff Beck. Depp’s compositions blend his feel for bluesy rock with thoughtful, introspective lyrics. His songwriting skills are yet another testament to his multifaceted musical abilities and creativity beyond just playing cover tunes. It’s clear that music is a genuine artistic outlet and passion for Depp, not just a hobby or affectation. He brings the same dedication to his craft as a musician as he does to his acting roles.
Musical Influences in Film Roles
Depp’s love of rock music has also influenced and enhanced many of his most iconic film roles over the years. He learned to play guitar to further embody the role of country rocker John Dillinger in Public Enemies. For his legendary turn as Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean, Depp drew inspiration from Rolling Stones frontman Keith Richards’ swagger and on-screen mannerisms. And who could forget his memorable performance of “Better When I’m Dancing” in The Rum Diary or covering various Beatles and Bob Dylan songs in Finding Neverland. Music has proven a useful creative tool for Depp to inhabit characters and leave an impression. It shows how intrinsically music is tied to his artistry.
Passion Project Documentary
In 2018, Depp executive produced a documentary called Puff, the Magic Dragon which chronicled the 1970s band Poco and their underappreciated role in the Southern California country rock scene. As a lifelong fan and friend of the group, Depp used the project to both pay homage to Poco and pursue his passion for exploring the roots of American rock genres he admires. While not a commercial blockbuster, Puff, the Magic Dragon showed Depp’s commitment to supporting projects close to his heart and sharing his musical knowledge even from behind the scenes. It provided a window into his perspective as both a musician and music fan.
Musical Legacy and Future Plans
Over the past few decades, Johnny Depp has cemented himself as not just a movie star but also a serious rock musician whose talents extend well beyond acting. From his early bands to collaborations with icons, Depp’s musical career shows no signs of slowing down. He continues to find time for music between film roles, whether recording, touring with Hollywood Vampires, or working with Jeff Beck. While films may remain his primary focus, music is clearly Depp’s deepest passion and constant muse. His legacy will undoubtedly reflect the multifaceted artist across mediums. Fans can’t wait to see what’s next from this truly multi-talented rock star in an actor’s body.
