Can Johnny Depp Actually Play The Guitar?
Taking a look at where it all began …
In a recent music review by Jon Hadusek for Consequence, I read this headline: “Is Johnny Depp Actually a Talented Guitarist? The actor-musician shares the stage with the likes of Joe Perry and Jeff Beck, but how well does he really play?”
Antagonised, I read on and discovered my internalised presumption was correct — Hadusek had merely skimmed over his homework, writing a piece to get his name in the limelight because, well…the name Johnny Depp is kinda big again, so why not? Right? There is a tone of total disdain throughout the entire review, like a grudgingly written book report for a cover-slip half read. And why so rude too? Are you jealous?
Can I write a better one? … Probably!
To do it justice though, there’s the serious task of research. The best place to start looking for clues about Depp’s music ability is from an Instagram video where he tell us the music he loves. Those old southern blues musicians Sunhouse, Robert Johnson, Booker White and then, of course individual members of Hollywood Vampires of whom he would have listened to and learned from all those years ago. I’ve spent several days soaking up the raw blues sounds of the older artists on Spotify, and delved deeply into the bowels of the YouTube video whale to find the early Depp bands, and of Keith Richards, the interviews and the diversity of Taraf de Haïdouks.
Some people may be aware that Depp loved music before becoming an actor, learning how to play the guitar at 12–13 years of age and emerging from the learning cocoon of his bedroom a year later to sneak into the pubs & bars — choosing to hone his craft in front of the toughest of audiences. For how many hours did he play? How many sets?
He dropped out of high school at 16 (1979) to become a rock musician and continued to play to bar audiences. In 1980, Depp started playing in a band called ‘The Kids’. They travelled throughout the Florida region opening for other bands. At 17, The Kids did two opening gigs for Iggy Pop in Gainesville, Florida… and Depp met his idol. On YouTube there’s a 1982 video (poor quality) showing Depp as an 18/19 year old guitar player who is confident on stage and sure of his instrument. Kieth Richards’ influence is the most obvious with his stage roaming and strum technique that uplifts the music — A resonance that has stuck.
After some success, The Kids left Florida for LA in 1983. In pursuit of a record deal, they changed their name to Six Gun Method. Breaking into the music circuit in Hollywood was very hard and with no deal in sight. Depp did catch up with Iggy Pop again and during this time also met Shane MacGowan and many others within the music scene of that time. To make rent, Depp had to work menial odd jobs including telemarketing ink pens until he became friends with Nicholas Cage who suggested he try acting. Although Depp managed to pick up some acting work, he didn’t take it seriously until the Band broke up and acting became an attractive way to pay the bills. During 1986, Depp landed a placement as rhythm guitarist in Rock City Angels before debuting the same year as an actor on the television series 21 Jump Street.
Having a similar sound to their rival ‘Poison’, Rock City Angels was a popular band in the area until 1993, though Depp chose to pursue acting. On their 1988 debut studio album Young Man’s Blues, the track “Mary” was co-written by Depp.
‘P’ (band) was formed in 1993. Gibby Haynes (vocals), Johnny Depp (guitar/bass), Sal Jenco (percussion), and Bill Carter (guitar/bass) … An alternative and experimental rock band and deceptively polished. In part, like a series of edgy satirical skits playing up the strong undertones of raw blues, a hodge-podge of music influences, a hefty dollop of punk with a smidgen of reggae and something resembling reckless abandon. Lyrically and musically strange, each track is vastly different. Sometimes harmonious, sometimes on the edge of a jarring clash. P was a fun, impromptu wonderland adventure in a dynamic explorative musical playground. Their self-titled album was released under Capitol Records in 1995.
Also in 1993, Depp partly owned the newly established nightclub ‘The Viper Room’, located on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood. It became a popular haven for Hollywood stars who could escape the paparazzi. While acting had taken over as Depp’s main form of income, music was never far away. His music cred was well maintained, continuing to play and hanging out with the continued stream of fellow musicians from far and wide through the club and surrounding scene.
Back to those old men and their guitars, of the OLD blues tracks and Taraf de Haïdouks… Why listen to them? Because it’s interesting to hear how they have influenced Depp’s style. In an interview about the film “The Man Who Cried” (2000), Depp spoke about the Gypsy musicians. These guys blew his mind so profoundly — listen to them and then listen to Depp’s music again.
There is a special sound that’s been captured within The Hollywood Vampires. An imbued quality of…je ne sais quoi. Alice Cooper has even said that Hollywood Vampires doesn’t sound like his band, it doesn’t sound like Aerosmith or Joe Perry’s music, but together… Alice, Joe and Johnny have created something quite unique. Depp’s sound has a quality of blues rock that errs on understated and comes forward only when necessary. Depp roams the stage…He also travels the sound, working with the harmonics of the guitar, the amp and uses a strum method that may look like he’s not playing much at all. It’s unconventional and he makes it look easy.
The 2021 Sauvage advertisement tickles me somewhat. There’s a joyful absurdity and it’s beautifully preposterous (it makes me laugh every time)…The huge cartoon stack of amps is larger than life, and the over-acted guitar strums create the bravado sound while the ‘wild thing’ chords reverberate out across the desert, visually echoed by the wolves and their council. ‘Loyalty of the pack’ and in touch with nature and walking away, human. (Thank you, Dior)
Over the years and recently, we’ve all come to know a bit more about who Depp is off-screen, behind the mask of make up and even out from behind the guitar. A generous, approachable and colour-filled open soul who looks for the best in people. As Depp writes songs with Jeff Beck and is adventuring towards the microphone, I’m starting to hear something more in the tunes and in the vocals — It’s old and it’s new. Tapping into the roots of oldest sounds and experimentation that’s taking a path less walked.
Can Johnny Depp play the guitar? Yes.
Is he talented? … Y e a h.
And something that stands out to me is how he continues to encourage those around him to be the best they can be while he’s consistently pedestrian himself, moving forward and picking things up along the way.
