Is Johnny Depp Just A Poser?! 

Congrats to Johnny making a return to the stage! I hope he has fun! In the mean time, if you fancy enjoying some Patreon exclusive content and zoom chats you can do so here my friend: www.patreon.com/jushawk

It never ceases to boggle my mind that Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Pete Townshend, Ronnie Wood and Peter Green were born within roughly two years in one 20-ish mile radius circle around SW London.

The fact you clipped that piece from the trial and Johnny smiling is exactly why he and you are legendary. I love you did a deep dive on him as a musician and his relationship with Jeff.

Jeff Beck: ACTUAL Legend! 🙂 Great vid, man! The smirk on Johnny's face after the 'old men playing guitar' comment def says YES... Jeff Beck, Joe Perry, etc...

Spot on about Jeff Beck. He’s been playing guitar for more than 60 years and yet he can still make your jaw hit the floor like in a cartoon. The best.

Thank you so much for posting this, it makes me smile even though Jeff Beck's unexpected departure still makes me cry. Jeff and his wife Sandra didn't have kids, but took in Johnny and kept him with them when he was going through so much turmoil. Jeff Beck helped younger musicians (like Tal Wilkenfeld), who many people thought were his biological children. Johhny Depp and Jeff Beck doig John Lennon's Isolation during covid was heartfelt and compassionate. Now excuse me, I always post too much and am a dweeb.

I could listen to Justin talk all day .. Honest , humble & gives his opinion without making it sound like “fact” or discrediting anyone else ..

Many moons ago my husband and I went to a Stevie Ray Vaughn concert with Jeff Beck. My husband, a bass player and song writer never published, was on a high for days. When Jeff passed that man cried. He was in a few non existent bands in the late 60s. He can go on endlessly about all those guitar players, and band mates, you speak about and I have now turned him on to your channel, having come across it recently. When he saw you interviewed Beato he had to stop everything and listen. BTW, love that Hedy Lamar song. What a fascinating woman. Johnny's ex had absolutely no idea she was witnessing magic with those old men.

Been following for only a few videos recently and just realized who you are Justin. I've been playing at a rehab in Indiana every weekend for 10 years, and I have a sheet of 430 songs people choose from and I perform it on acoustic (unamplified) while sitting on the floor. Despite covering many genres I don't care for (Country, Post-Grunge) my faves to play are classic rock and power pop (Kinks, Badfinger, Heart, Cheap Trick.) Some have sadly never been chosen (The Pretty Things, Sloan and She's Not There?!!) One song that gets chosen somewhat often and is a blast to play is I Believe in a Thing Called Love, but I admit my falsetto impersonation of you on the chorus is pure cheese and always gets a good laugh.

Ive seen Johnny Depp perform on guitar, live at least twice now. Once he did a surprise on a couple of Marilyn Manson's tour a few years ago. And another when he, Alice Cooper, Joe Perry, and a few others started up the Hollywood Vampires. I always preferred the musician version of Johnny cuz he just looks so much happier in that state. I missed him on Jeff Beck's current North American tour but he will be back with Hollywood Vampires in 2023.

Heaven is old men playing guitars. When I get there I will be jamming with Jimi, Jeff and all three of the Kings. What a shame someone could not appreciate that kind of thing on this earthly plane.

A few weeks after our wedding day, my wife asked me “are you always going to play guitar?” I’m single now and still play guitar…with old men.

Good vid. I saw The Hollywood Vampires on that tour with the Darkness supporting. It was a great gig by both bands. We were lucky enough to be by the barrier at the front and saw you watching them play from the side of the stage. Depp rocked it that night. The Jim Carroll 'People Who Died' cover was a standout.

Justin, you'd be the first to admit you're not in the legends category. But you've got a place in the rhythm of the heart of everyone who was a rock fan during the heyday of the Darkness 😁 GUITAR!! You're a legend to me fella

Love to see Jeff Beck and Johnny Depp together. Unique duet and friends.....a must from all the others. They both play and Johnny sings in tge stages of the world for Jeff Beck and Jeff Beck plays for Johnny Depp. A unique combibation of two great musicians

Jeff becks sound is so unique. His guitar on roger waters amused to death is one of my all time favorites. Johnny depp is as real as they get.... he does it right full circle.

Justin, you always make me laugh! Your chats always come across as spontaneous and genuine. You’re eccentric AF and I love that!

Jeff Beck is a legit legend of legends. He keeps getting better. That old man is welcome to drop by my living room and play guitar any time.

Loved the clip of Johnny laughing in court to the, "Old men playing guitars." He knew she was making a fool out of herself and now the whole of the music word did too. A bit of Bowie in Johnny's voice, nothing wrong with that, especially when your on stage with Jeff Beck

When I saw Sweeney Todd I thought he was intentionally doing a Bowie impression, but it seems that is just his authentic singing voice. He has a lovely resonance.

Old men sitting around playing guitars : the best evenings of my entire life !

Great job Justin. This was my favorite podcast as of yet. Very entertaining. Old men in your living room playing guitars..... let me see. Jeff Beck, Keith Richards, Ron Wood, and the ghost of Steve Marriot.

So delightful to see you and this channel! Came across it by accident! Super stoked about it! Aaaaand....I have never listened to Depp until today! Have been a fan of the acting aspect of his career, but s**t! He's pretty damn good. I'm impressed! Love ya Justin!

What a great tribute to Jeff who, as we all know, died in January. Only 7 months after this video was uploaded.

Jeff Beck’s soulfull playing brings tears. It really touches something in my heart.

Saw the Hollywood Vampires at Wembley a few years back with Darkness and the Damned supporting, and it was brilliant! Great to hear your backstage stories!

"The Wang Bar." That's is definitely going in my guitar vocabulary. Nice one, Justin.

"It was old men playing guitar, and that didn't interest her" Because I'm sure he found all Amber's hobbies and friends fascinating beyind human ability to describe, right?

RIP Jeff Beck, the music world has lost one of the greatest

I remember when I was like maybe 14 and staying over at a friends house. His dad had some friends over and they all got stoned and drunk and sat around and played their guitars. It was a bunch of old dudes sitting around having a great time and making music. It was an awesome experience to see that.

Another great video! I love the ones with stories. You're good at that "we were all in the dressing room" thing.

My grandpa used to work with JDs dad a long time ago and lived in the same neighborhood. Grandpa knew JD as a young man and said he was always playing guitar and jamming with his band. He left Florida for cali to play music. That’s all he wanted to do.

My husband is a musician. I love listening to him play guitar. Holy hell, if music legends were in my living room playing guitar, I would die and go to heaven. Amber Heard is an immature baby. She was also too young for him because she couldn’t appreciate greatness all around her. I hope Johnny finds a woman that appreciates him.

'Today I'm wearing an unusually large hat' I hadn't noticed 😆

Rip Jeff Beck

I’m sure you hear this all the time Justin, but you’re just a beautiful guitarist! Always impressed with your feel and playing :)

For anyone surprised by Johnny playing guitar, he was a guest guitarist on a couple of Oasis songs back in the ‘90s; played with Marilyn Manson heaps; had a band with Flea, Steve Jones and Gibby Haynes; and is now in The Hollywood Vampires.

Justin, just want to say I just heard Live til I die by the Darkness for the first time and it’s a brilliant track! Keep doing what you do mate

Johnny is a brilliant actor who also happens to enjoy playing guitar in bands and is multitalented, as some artists are. He is no 'poser', other than in the sense of posing for photographers. I think I also saw Johnny modelling fashion. He looks very enigmatic, very expressive face. Nothing fake looking or sounding about this guy. I like that about him. Sincerity.

He never gave up playing guitar even when acting. He's smart. He focused later on acting, which helped him become financially strong to later pursue his first love which is playing guitar with bands live and also painting. Things he never quit and still did but didn't bring them to forefront because of his acting. As you've said, "he's legit." He is, he's just doing what he loves when he was young. I think it's been about 50-60 years since he has been playing guitar and painting too. He's very talented artists.

I actually love how the Hollywood Vampires cover the Alice songs because they sound more 70’s than Alice’s current group and I LOVE that sound

Im just sitting here as a big music fan wishing I was hanging out in Depp's house, drinkin', smoking, listening to "old men" play guitars. The fact she didn't realize what she was experiencing, witnessing, just tells me so much more about her mentality, that we haven't already learned in the past weeks. I mean, wow.

As far as I know he moved to L.A. to pursue music, and fell into the acting thing. I think he's genuine in his pursuit of music, and seems legit.

Cool video, thanks. Keep them coming 🤘

I never thought I would be hooked but you, Justin, Do it so good. Thank you for being there. Cheers.

Well done Justin! Jeff Beck is one of the only players from 'that era' who kept evolving and kept reinventing and refining his art. He doesn't need to ride the current Johnny Depp wave for publicity as he does not need it. You can see that he's being very genuine and very real as he introduces JD. They're very similar - Jeff Beck plays guitar to support his passion for hot rods and Johnny Depp acts to support his passion for music. Ride on and ride again Justin Hawkins!

Jeff Beck and that whammy bar....he has such a unique sound. My old man showed me his live at Ronnie Scott's gig and I watched it repeatedly for months.

hard to argue about Jeff Beck. He's still playing incredibly well.

Great synopsis on Johnny 👍, but very sad that Jeff Beck is no longer with us, only listened to this today having just started following you, keep us the brilliance Justin XX

Love that he covered a relatively vague, but brilliant, John Lennon number. These videos are great!

Jeez. Just discovered your channel. You are bloody great.

Best living Strat player = David Gilmour

From his time w the Yardbirds 'till present, Jeff has not ceased pushing the bounds on guitar. Loved that Johnny went there to play. Looks like they are releasing an album soon too.

Great discussion! I heard "This is a song for Miss Hedy Lamarr first and was blown away by the song and the performance!

Justin absolutely loving dropping in, multiple times, that Jeff Beck chose to hang with The Darkness over the Hollywood Vampires that night 😂

Jeff Beck's "Blow by Blow" album is one of the best guitar centric albums of all time

We need more people like Justin Hawkins in this world. He is so interesting & fascinating to watch & listen to.

I watched a Hollywood Vampire gig on here and I got the distinct impression that Johnny was just there for the sheer joy of performing and a true love of music

Again, I'm so glad that your channel was in my recommended list. I'm having fun watching and listening! Thanks!🤗

I was on tour with Alice Cooper in the UK when Johnny finished his trial and we got word he was flying into town. Before anyone knew he was in town or coming the whole backstage vibe was awesome because we just heard that he won the trial. A lot of the crew and band all know him. It was a cool thing to see. I thought for sure he was coming to guest on our show but I guess he was just playing with Jeff Beck or with his own group down the road.

Because of the trial - I’ve had messages asking me about Depp’s guitar playing… I‘ve always considered him to be quite good. It’s not as easy as people think to walk around a stage and play guitar effortlessly… even if it’s not lead… I haven’t heard enough soloing to judge his lead playing but his rhythm playing is pro level solid. He makes it look easy and he’s super cool while doing that. I’d love to jam with him. He’s real people. He’s a real guitar player.

Johnny Depp was a musician before he became an actor (at the urging of Nicholas Cage). Both Alice Cooper and Joe Perry say he is in fact the real deal, not just an actor posing as a musician. I can't imagine anyone getting on stage with someone like Jeff Beck unless they've got something to bring to the table. And, apparently Jeff feels that he does.

Johnny Depp's vocals remind me of David Bowie. He's no slouch! ..and yes, Jeff Beck is definitely the greatest living Strat player. ..one of the best, full stop.

I'm glad you talked more about Jeff Beck and a little less about Johnny Depp. Just not really into him anymore after the whole trial and the whole media frenzy taking sides.

Enjoy the content JH, love how articulate you are, amused :)

Jesus, I'd love to be in Johnny Depp's living room while he played guitar with "old men". God knows how many legends he'd have had in there...

In summary; Johnny can command an audience and Jeff Beck IS the Stratocaster incarnate

you seem like a good dude Justin!! love your show

Love for Johnny. He has always loved music. His heart is in it.

revisiting this as it's still a shock that we lost him

You are exactly right about Jeff Beck. Whenever you hear him play you are suddenly reminded he is the best guitarist there is.

Johnny's smirk in court was priceless

I was lucky enough to be at the RAH that night. A very special one personally because Jeff has been on my bucket list forever, he's the best, a true inspiration. Johnny Depp did a good job though I was less excited than others by his appearance 😄

Thanks for opening my eyes Justin!

Love these vids Jussy. Can’t wait to see you live at Hard Rock Hell on Thursday 🤘🏻👍🏻

When it comes to their music, I prefer Gilmour over Jeff Beck. But I wouldn’t argue hard against somebody saying Jeff Beck is more talented.

I love a bit of Nigel Tufnell. I want to hear the guitar purr now....

(*Norm Macdonald voice*) Well, it is finally official: Domestic Abuse is legal in the state of California.

Rip Jeff Beck, we haven't realized what we lost yet. Justin, you mention Joe Perry's reaction to being around Jeff, is there anyone that you have or believe you would go "fanboy" to when or if you met them. Asking because just because one reaches a certain amount of fame or celebrity it doesn't necessarily preclude them from having normal human emotions.

It's so sad that Jeff Beck died. I am glad that he had his amazing tour. What an immense Talent.

Another great tutorial, my friend. I love Jeff Beck as well. A legend.

Johnny Depp's singing voice is exactly how you'd think it to sound

Me and my friend have front row seats in York on Tuesday. I can’t believe my luck. We will literally be a few feet away the side Johnny plays. That’s exciting but seeing Jeff Beck play that strat is going to be mind blowing!!!

@Justin Hawkins I am madly in love with your love for music!

Wow. I was watching one of those Top 10 Hardest Songs to sing things and saw The Darkness,, on it. I was in shock of the sound of your voice in it, so I sought it out on RU-vid and couldn't get enough. It was awesome when it came out way back when, (almost 20 years ago). So it was great to rediscover you and then I thought where is the band now and found this channel and You. I am amazed and totally blowaway. Still going, still playing and singing and having near pitch perfect while singing your intro. Its so nice to see that you haven't lost any of your unique vocal talents over the years. You are truly inspiring. Happy Belated Birthday as well. Based on your title for this video I actually expected to hear you trashing Johnny and I was thinking I am not going to like this one bit. However to my surprise your commentary was refreshing and genuine. Being that you have also first hand experience of playing with both Johnny and Jeff even better. And yes after what Johnny has been through over the last several weeks, nice to see him getting back to work and his first love. You are what truly inspiring human beings can be, genuine, nice, knowledgeable, helpful, kind, brilliant, down to earth as well. So thank you so much for giving him credit for having some chops and telling the world some of the great stories. You are truly one of the greats yourself. I am so glad that I found your channel and am able to tell you how much your music was a big part of my life growing up. And how its getting a second chance now I have rediscovered it. Thank you once again. Best Wishes to you.

I still love Jeff Beck's guitar solo on that Stevie Wonder tune in his Talking Book album. Such power and at the same time such elegance and taste as you'd need for a Stevie Wonder tune. Thanks, Stevie! Who is better than Jeff Beck as a strat player living? Well, if Eric Clapton's not dead... I miss Buddy Holly.

Watched Jeff Beck last night at Newcastle Sage and JD guested. Beck was incredible and JD really brought something to the set when he sang, I was pleasantly surprised.

I like the fact that you're reacting to Johnny Depp whilst being dressed as Willy Wonka.

🎸🌹🥂Lvs Lvs JD; Watched the trial, best thing to hit the air waves in a long time.🎸 Thank you Justin....

Steve Vai made a good point in an interview. He said all guitar players are good in their own right. If a person plays in the way that makes them happy then no one can judge them. He said one guitar player might not be a person's taste but it doesn't make them bad.

Not until I saw Johnny Depp’s name on the credits of an OASIS single did I even realize he was a guitarist. (He played on a lovely acoustic B-Side version of “Fade Away” that was done for charity).

Justin, I love this channel. Pretty much obsessed. I go down the rabbit hole every night for an absurdly long time. Well into the wee hours. Love the insight and sense of humour… and also, the compassion. I’d love for you to review one of our tunes (NothingBox) or alternatively one of my acoustic interpretations of said tunes (video). I can take it. I think. 😐 Much Love. Steve - NB

People mentioning best stratocaster players are forgetting a guy named Jimi Hendrix.

Great reaction video Justin. Yep, Johnny is Really, Really good. It’s so very sad that Jeff has left us😢Johnny paid tribute to him saying how blessed he was to have spent time with and learned from one of the greatest on earth, “Jeff”. They really loved each other. Like brothers.💞

Spot on !!~ And I love how Johnny and Jeff were such good friends.

I'm so freaking relieved that he won that ridiculous case. As for Depp being a "poser" I don't think he is- though his look borders on corny, but then LA influenced "rock look" has always been super f--king cheesy. If a piece of clothing can't find a function; it's forced & looks affected; period (unless you're in costume & then it can be amazing.) I guess a scarves don't count because they're useful & look good in small doses, but when rags are tied to clothes & 50 earrings in each ear... I dunno man, pretty cornball. Gotta love him though, & hopefully he learned not to fall for romantic archetypes based on the inherent danger & nonsense of it all. There are a shitload of hot women his age. If he doesn't want to be seen as a cliched actor, might wanna stop playing with immature chicks who don't know wtf is up.

Some people just like to make music even if they cant sing or play guitar or drum the greatest. Nothing wrong with that. The 90s were full of those guys and it was awesome!

Johnny is what I would call a professional amateur, lol. His love for music has always been greater than his acting but his acting brings more food to the table so he didn't acquired the technical perfection required to be a rock legend like Jeff Beck, but he's definitely NOT a poser. As for guitar strat legend, well, some might argue Clapton beats Beck but I disagree. Pertinent he decided to play and sing John Lennon's "Isolation". The lyrics are very poignant and relatable to his trials and tribulations. His voice is not great, he needed to warm it up more before but it's ok. I'm glad he's got his career and peace of mind back.

Hey that was beautiful. And thank you for such kind words for Johnny Depp!!! He seem's to have really been through H with AH. And everyone loves the great Jeff Beck. ❤❤❤

Justin Hawkins totally sounds like Freddie Mercury I love it so much he has the same range. What a beautiful looking man and a beautiful voice.