The Hollywood star took to the stage in Perugia in the company of his friend and music legend: forty minutes with the classic pirate look in which he sent fans into a frenzy.
They were the least canonical of the artists on the board, left as a grand finale, a gift to the city and to fans. Johnny Depp and Jeff Beck closed the 2022 edition of Umbria Jazz, which was held in Perugia from 8 to 17 July. Lots of rock and flashes of blues, a delirious Santa Giuliana arena for two legends who have been traveling the world together in recent months. The “pirate” Depp has put aside the defamation trial (won) against Amber Heard and has returned to devote himself to his first love, music.
An evening in which the main protagonist was Jeff Beck, who at 78 brought the energy of those in the history of rock to the stage, together with a band made up of two thirds of women. The guitarist inflamed the audience with the 80s hits, Star Cycle and You know, you know, then moved on to the new millennium and introduced his latest effort. The album, 18, was released last July 15: a work in which there is also a lot of Johnny Depp. Thus the expectation for the Hollywood star grew beyond belief.
He took a long time to wait, as true star protocol requires, but in the end he too took the stage. He appeared on the notes of Rumble, greeted by Beck's white Fender and the delirium of the fans. Acoustic guitar carried like only a music legend could do, white shirt with rolled up sleeves covered by a waistcoat and a bandana at the neck, jeans: the usual damn rock star look we've come to know. He sings This is a Song for Miss Hedy Lamarr, one of the two songs he wrote for the Jeff Beck album. A song focused on the figure of the Austrian actress and inventor, naturalized American, misunderstood and unfairly treated. Impossible not to see traits of Depp's life.
There is no room for the other controversial passage, Sad Motherfuckin 'Parade, in which many have seen clear references to the trial against ex-wife Amber Heard, which has just ended. There is no time to think about judicial issues, there is only room for music. In all, Johnny Depp is the "special guest" for nine songs: from the cover of John Lennon's Isolation to that of Venus in furs by the Velvet Underground.
A closed concert with The Death and Resurrection Show by Killing Joke and with an encore on the notes of A day in the life by the Beatles. Just forty minutes: many and few at the same time for a star who, despite her many contradictions, continues to be loved unconditionally.
Author: Michael Zippo
https://linkedin.com/in/michael-zippo-9136441b1
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Sources: VanityFair, IO Donna