Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Since beginning with The Yardbirds in the 1960s right between Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page’s stints, Jeff Beck became an original guitar hero who went on to front his own group, featuring singer Rod Stewart and future Faces/Rolling Stones axe-slinger Ronnie Wood, followed by a solo career that’s stretched through today.

However, the spirit of collaboration is still very much in the 78-year-old Englishman’s blood, this time with A-list actor turned musician Johnny Depp for the “18” album and a like-minded tour that naturally sold out the landmark Chicago Theatre.

It’s been about four years since Beck last rolled through the Windy City, plus the timing couldn’t be better for Depp, who’s coming off a highly publicized trial with his ex-wife Amber Heard, but is nonetheless getting back to guitar after previously appearing locally in 2016 alongside fellow Hollywood Vampires Alice Cooper and Joe Perry (also of Aerosmith fame).

The latter act didn’t turn up in the 20 tunes performed across 90 minutes, but Beck’s “Freeway Jam” and “Loose Cannon” sure did to start, both of which indicated the veteran’s playing was as ferocious as ever.

Along with a top-shelf backing trio, the elder statesman also called out covers from and beyond the current collection, ranging from the textbook pop of Brian Wilson & The Beach Boys’ “Caroline, No,” the jazz fusion of Mahavishnu Orchestra’s “You Know You Know” and Robert Johnson’s “Me And The Devil Blues.”

Beck continued to shred his way through “Star Cycle” and “You Never Know,” while sidekick Depp, who appeared about half way through to deafening screams, more than held his own throughout “This Is A Song For Miss Hedy Lamarr” and a handful of others featuring his psychedelic vocals and larger-than-life presence.

The pair was especially impenetrable together come The Velvet Underground’s “Venus In Furs” and The Beatles “A Day In The Life,” prior to Beck encoring with a transcendent edition of The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s “Little Wing” and Depp reemerging for Killing Joke’s “The Death And Resurrection Show,” closing out the ultra-cool night as a duo tapping into the enthusiasm of their teens.

For additional information on Jeff Beck & Johnny Depp, visit JeffBeck.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the Chicago Theatre include Marcus Mumford (Oct. 24); Trey Anastasio Band (Oct. 28-29); Joe Bonamassa (Nov. 4-5); Paramore (Nov. 9); Trey Songz (Nov. 19); Dave Koz And Friends (Dec. 8); A Day To Remember (Dec. 12); Zoé (Dec. 14); Brett Eldredge (Dec. 15-16); The Beach Boys (Dec. 18) and Straight No Chaser (Dec. 23). For additional details, visit TheChicagoTheatre.com.

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