On May 22, 2023, London’s Royal Albert Hall turned into a guitar lover’s paradise. It was the first of two sold-out nights honoring Jeff Beck, the British rock legend who passed away in January 2023 at 78 from bacterial meningitis. Eric Clapton, Johnny Depp, and Metallica’s Kirk Hammett led a lineup of stars to celebrate Beck’s incredible legacy. The result? A night full of killer riffs, heartfelt moments, and pure rock energy.
Eric Clapton, who once shared the Yardbirds stage with Beck, kicked things off with Blue Rainbow. His guitar sang with soul, setting the tone for classics like Beck’s Bolero and Yardbirds hits Shapes of Things and Heart Full of Soul. Then Johnny Depp swaggered out, tipping his hat to the 5,500 fans. “This is amazing for Jeff—he’d be shocked!” he laughed. With ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons and Kirk Hammett, Depp rocked Isolation, a John Lennon cover he’d recorded with Beck. The mix of Hammett’s metal edge and Gibbons’ bluesy growl was electric.
The night was a parade of talent. Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones joined Depp and singer Imelda May for a fun Walkin’ in the Sand. Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi teamed with Clapton for a soulful The Sky Is Crying. Jazz guru John McLaughlin wowed with You Know You Know, showing Beck’s wide influence. Gibbons played Rough Boy, a song Beck loved jamming to, and everyone piled on for a wild Train Kept A Rollin’. Clapton and Gary Clark Jr. closed with ‘Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers, a tender farewell, followed by a big jam on Going Down.
Beck’s band—bassist Rhonda Smith, drummer Anika Nilles, and keyboardist Robert Adam Stevenson—kept the groove tight. The setlist hit all corners of Beck’s career: Yardbirds tunes, blues, jazz-fusion, and his later work with Depp. Clapton brought their old friendship to life, Depp shared their recent bond, and Hammett proved Beck’s reach went beyond rock. It was more than a concert—it was a tribute to a guy who changed music forever.
Clips hit YouTube fast, with fans raving. “Pure magic,” one wrote. “Jeff was smiling down,” said another. Night two on May 23 added Rod Stewart, and proceeds went to Folly Wildlife Rescue, a cause Beck cared about. At the Albert Hall, these stars didn’t just play—they honored a guitar wizard whose sound still echoes.
