Johnny Depp’s Emotional Performance at Patti Smith Tribute – See the Heartfelt Moments!

Patti Smith, the punk rock icon and poet, was honored in grand style at Carnegie Hall on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, with a star-studded tribute concert titled “People Have the Power: A Celebration of Patti Smith.” The evening, which lasted for two and a half hours, brought together an incredible lineup of musicians, including Johnny Depp, Bruce Springsteen, and R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe, to celebrate the legendary artist’s impact on music and culture.

The event saw an electrifying performance by Smith, 78, alongside her friends and admirers, including Depp, 61, Springsteen, 75, and Stipe, 65, among others. The highlight of the night was a powerful rendition of Smith’s 1988 anthem “People Have the Power,” with the stars sharing the stage in a rare moment of musical unity. As the song’s defiant message of empowerment rang out through the iconic Carnegie Hall, the gathered musicians, many of whom have been influenced by Smith’s groundbreaking work, paid tribute to her enduring legacy.

The concert was part of a larger celebration of Smith’s contributions to music and activism, and it featured several other notable artists. Among the performers who took the stage were Ben Harper, Glen Hansard, Flea, and Sean Penn, with a memorable appearance by Scarlett Johansson. The event also showcased moments captured during rehearsals at New York City’s City Winery, where musicians such as Harper and Flea were photographed in preparation for the concert.

A heartfelt moment during the rehearsal was captured by photographer Lynn Goldsmith, a longtime friend of Smith, who posted an image of Depp crouching down to kiss Smith’s hand as she observed the proceedings from the front of the stage. Another video shared by Goldsmith and Depp showed the Pirates of the Caribbean star rehearsing alongside other performers, with Smith looking on in admiration. “There will be plenty of postings coming with the days here spent celebrating Patti … this one speaks for itself,” Goldsmith wrote in the caption.

Depp, who has long been involved in music alongside his acting career, also took part in the performance of “Dancing Barefoot,” a song Smith originally recorded with her band in 1979. Depp performed the track with Alison Mosshart of The Kills, a rendition that carried personal significance for Depp. The actor previously performed the song with Smith and Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder nearly 15 years ago, making the performance at Carnegie Hall a poignant moment in his musical journey.

This concert marked another significant moment in Depp’s ongoing celebration of his musical relationships. Two months earlier, Depp had toured a London exhibition showcasing guitars and other instruments owned by his late friend Jeff Beck, further solidifying his commitment to honoring the musical legacies that have shaped his own career. Depp shared a heartfelt video from the exhibition, reflecting on Beck’s influence on him as both a musician and a friend, as well as their time spent together in the studio and onstage.

As the evening wrapped up, the shared admiration and respect for Patti Smith were palpable, with each performer offering their own unique tribute to the artist. The concert was not just a celebration of Smith’s music but a testament to the lasting influence she has had on generations of musicians and fans alike. From her poetic lyrics to her unflinching activism, Smith’s contributions to music and culture continue to inspire, and this star-studded event was a fitting homage to her profound impact.

With artists like Depp, Springsteen, and Stipe showing up to honor her, it’s clear that Patti Smith’s legacy is alive and well—her power to move and inspire still resonates deeply across the music world.

 

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