A Magical Night in Anaheim with Jeff Beck and Johnny Depp

Photos and words by Steve Rose

On a rainy night in Anaheim, Jeff Beck and his fabulous band brought their own lightning and thunder to the City National Grove. Shortly before doors opened, fans were lined up around the venue, many in Jeff Beck shirts of varying years, and excited to get in and claim their seats as they waited eagerly for the show to begin.

Much like his playing, the selection of songs that night was perfect. The audience was locked in from the first note of “Freeway Jam” and their enthusiasm didn't stop until after the final notes of “The Death and Resurrection Show,” a Killing Joke cover, slowly drifted off into the ether. His band consists of drummer, Anika Nilles, keyboardist, Robert Stevenson, and bassist, Rhonda Smith - who has worked with countless high profile artists, but her 10 years with Prince in his band, is indicative of the caliber of her musicianship and why she is in this band. After almost every song, he would acknowledge the adulation from the fans before he and the band went into the next tune. Songs like “Cause We've Ended as Lovers,” “You Know You Know,” and “Me and the Devil Blue”s got even more of a reaction, but all of the material was well received.

Halfway through the set, Johnny Depp joined Jeff Beck to handle vocal duties and some extra guitar flair to the material. Depp, the actor/musician looked very much the part up on stage in front of the mic, with a guitar slung around his body, as they played songs from his latest album with Jeff Beck, 18, as well as covers by The Velvet Underground, John Lennon, and Dennis Wilson. The standout, jaw-dropping moment of the second half of the set was Jeff Beck's interpretation of “A Day in the Life” by The Beatles.

There aren't many bonafide guitar legends out there anymore, none with the pedigree that Jeff Beck boasts, and to have witnessed this in person was a real special moment. It was a delight to see someone with complete command of their instrument. The sounds and tones he was able to conjure out of his Fender Stratocaster was otherworldly. The precision and mastery of the fretboard was a sight to behold and his proficiency with his volume knob for swells within a song, speaks to his control of that guitar.