“After the second or third song, people get over the shock of seeing Johnny Depp up there with a guitar. And it’s legit”: Joe Perry on what it’s like being in a band with one of the world’s biggest movie stars

Glam rock and Hollywood go hand in hand. Named after the celebrity drinking club founded by Alice Cooper in the ’70s, the Hollywood Vampires are as extravagant as supergroups get.

Not only does it include bona fide rock legends Cooper, Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry, and Cooper/Crossbone Skully bassist Tommy Henriksen, but movie star Johnny Depp is a core member of the lineup. Even his bandmates get starstruck from time to time.

“People are shocked that we are so good, and I can see why. It’s sorta glam, and you’ve got the movie star in there,” Cooper tells Classic Rock.

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“Johnny has always wanted to be in a band, and now, finally, he’s in one,” adds Perry. He’s, of course, referring to Depp’s highly documented road to becoming a rockstar.

From picking up the guitar at 12 to dropping out of high school to pursue music, moving to LA with his then-band, and chasing a record deal, Depp’s goal was always to become a serious working musician – before he fell into acting.

“After the second or third song people get over the shock of seeing Johnny Depp up there with a guitar. And it’s legit. The band really plays. And you know what? He’s a great player.”

Cooper recalls that he had never met the actor until filming Dark Shadows, Tim Burton’s Gothic fantasy film in which the veteran rock star made a cameo.

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“I was telling Johnny about the drinking club with John Lennon, Keith Moon and Harry Nilsson,” he continues.

“During the shooting, I played the 100 Club on Oxford Street and invited Johnny along. He got up with us and nailed every song. I said it would be fun to be a bar band again and play all the songs of my dead drunk friends.”

Perry was the last one to join. “I was staying at Johnny’s house working on a solo record,” he says. The Aerosmith guitarist was immediately recruited.

“We have so much fun playing together. I always think of the Vampires as the best unknown garage band in the world.”

“And certainly the most expensive one,” quips Cooper.

The supergroup would go on to debut at the iconic Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood, Los Angeles, over two nights in September 2015. Fast forward to 2026, and the band is still going strong, with a UK and European tour kicking off on August 12 at London’s O2 Arena.

Asked about the challenge of juggling everyone's packed schedules, Perry hints at the balancing act: “I can tell you that some people in his [Depp’s] camp are not happy he’s taking a couple of months out to play music.

“But when it’s time for Johnny to play guitar, he knows it’s time.”