Memorial concert for Sheila Witkin in Miami Sunday to feature Johnny Depp's band, The Kids

Before Johnny Depp became an actor, he played lead guitar in a band called The Kids, based in south Florida; the band’s lead singer was Bruce Witkin. Bruce’s mom, Sheila Witkin, was an integral part of the south Florida music scene–band manager, booking agent, dedicated dynamo on behalf of local musicians, and, according to a disk jockey who remembers her well, “everybody’s Jewish mother.” Sadly, Sheila Witkin died, much too young, last April, and on Sunday afternoon, January 28th, the bands she helped to promote will gather in Miami once again to honor her memory with a benefit concert at Club Cinema in Pompano Beach. And yes, The Kids will play live! Several Florida media outlets are reporting that Johnny is “in the house” and rehearsing with his bandmates. Joining them on the bill will be Z-cars, Slyder, Critical Mass, Tight Squeeze, Charlie Pickett, and The Cichlids.

You can read more about the inspiring life of Sheila Witkin HERE. To see a photo of Johnny Depp playing guitar with The Kids, click HERE. A feature on the concert by Sean Piccoli of the Florida Sun-Sentinel appears on the Zone’s News & Views forum–thanks to sleepy for posting it and to FANtasticJD for the photo.

Congratulations to all those lucky ticket-holders! We look forward to hearing all the details of this once-in-a-lifetime event. And cheers to all the musicians who are playing on Sunday–what a beautiful tribute to Sheila Witkin. –Part-Time Poet