Legendary rock guitarist Jeff Beck passes away aged 78; Johnny Depp ‘devastated’ by sudden death of his close friend

Jeff Beck, the legendary guitarist, passed away at the age of 78 after contracting bacterial meningitis. According to People, Beck's family confirmed his death in an official statement on Wednesday. "On behalf of his family, it is with deep and profound sadness that we share the news of Jeff Beck's Passing," reads the statement. "After suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis, he peacefully passed away yesterday. His family asks for privacy while they process this tremendous loss."

The music legend was a close friend and collaborator Hollywood actor Johnny Depp. A source told the outlet that the Pirates of the Caribbean star "is totally devastated" following the news of the guitarist’s sudden death. The source further shared that Depp "was by Jeff's bedside" along with "some other rock stars" before Beck's death.

"They had a really tight friendship, they were extremely close, and he got even closer over this past summer when they were touring together," the source added. "The sickness came on really quickly and it all deteriorated rapidly in the last couple weeks. Johnny is still processing this news. He's devastated."

Last year during the Johnny Depp - Amber Heard defamation trial, Depp joined Beck on stage in England while he awaited the verdict. Depp and Beck also released their album, titled 18, on July 15 and released an official music video for the first single off the album, "This Is a Song for Miss Hedy Lamarr.”

"It's an extraordinary honor to play and write music with Jeff, one of the true greats and someone I am now privileged enough to call my brother," Depp said in a release at the time. "I haven't had another creative partner like him for ages," Beck said of Depp at the time.

"He was a major force on this record,” he added. “I just hope people will take him seriously as a musician because it's a hard thing for some people to accept that Johnny Depp can sing rock and roll." The duo also went on a U.S. tour and performed several shows together.

Also Read: Johnny Depp hits the stage to give surprise performance at Jeff Beck concert in England