Rock veteran Jeff Beck has died aged 78, his family has announced.
Beck died at the age of 78 after contracting bacterial meningitis. His family released the following statement on Twitter: “On behalf of his family, it is with deep and profound sadness that we share the news of Jeff Beck’s passing.
“After suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis, he peacefully passed away yesterday. His family ask for privacy while they process this tremendous loss.”
The legendary guitarist rose to fame with the Yardbirds after replacing Eric Clapton and then formed the Jeff Beck group with Rod Stewart.
Some of his biggest hits include songs like Nessun Dorma, A Day in the Life, I Can’t Give Back the Love I Feel for You, Heart Full of Soul, Beck’s Bolero and Happenings Ten Years Time Ago.
Johnny Depp had been a big fan and close friend of the rocker for some time, and last year, the guitarist released a collaborative album with Hollywood star Depp.
The duo visited Birmingham together in June 2022, where Depp joined Beck on stage at the Symphony Hall.
The actor - who has been spotted regularly across the UK at the time following the conclusion of his high-profile US defamation trial - had also been staying at the Grand Hotel in Birmingham.
The pair also dined in Broad Street’s Varanasi restaurant during their visit to the city where they booked out the entire restaurant.
Depp and Mr Beck arrived with about two dozen members of their tour crew at the Indian restaurant where they enjoyed a three-course dinner of chicken tikka shashlik, vegetable samosas and a king prawn starter.
Mo Hussain, operations director at Varanasi, said that Depp’s security team had called to ask if they could take a look around the venue on a Sunday afternoon, before booking the entire 300-cover restaurant out that evening.
Mr Hussain said once Mr Depp had finished he spent time “hugging, kissing and having photos taken” with members of staff, and friends and family members of the restaurant bosses.
“He was very humble, and he stayed to talk and greet everyone,” added Mr Hussain.
“He met my three daughters and they made him give them a few one-liners from his movies. He did ‘you’re weird’ from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”
Mr Hussain said: “They spent a lot of money, it’s a big venue to hire out, but they never even looked at the bill.
“He gave a large tip.”
Following the sad news of Jeff’s passing, we’ve taken a look at his time with Johnny Depp in Birmingham during the summer.
1. Depp with fans
Johnny Depp at Varanasi restaurant in Birmingham
2. At Varanasi with staff
Depp was joined by his musician friend Jeff Beck, 77, and around 20 others in their entourage as they took over the chic Varanasi restaurant, Birmingham on June 5. The entourage ordered butter chicken, king prawn bhuna, paneer tikka masala and lamb karahi for the main courses. Depp even said it was the best curry he ever had
3. Booking out Varanasi
Johnny Depp visits Varanasi Indian restaurant on Broad Street with Jeff Beck ahead of their show at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall
4. Outside the Grand Hotel
Johnny Depp fans outside Grand Hotel in Birmingham, June 6, 2022. Hollywood star Depp was been mobbed by hordes of fans in the West Midlands ahead of an expected appearance onstage with his friend Jeff Beck