Hollywood Vampires which comprises of rock legend Alice Cooper, A-list actor Johnny Depp, Aerosmith’s Joe Perry and musician Tommy Henriksen, headlined the Colchester Castle Summer Series on Friday in Lower Castle Park.
The audience featured fans of all ages and some were even dressed up in pirate attire as tribute to Depp’s famous role as Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of The Caribbean franchise.
Support on the night came from goth-punk band, The Damned.
Many residents and rock fans spoke to the Gazette at the concert.
Colchester resident Sally Harrison, 34, praised the vampires, she said: “It was excellent.
“The fact that such idols have come to such a small city.
“For a group of men who probably should be dead, it was much more lively than I expected.
“This was my first time seeing the Hollywood Vampires, they didn’t disappoint.”
Billy Fenton, 31, of Colchester, said: “I think it’s really good for the area, it shows how upcoming Colchester is, and how we can attract these big names, maybe in the past we haven’t.
“It’s surreal to think that the legendary icons that are Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp and Joe Perry probably just took the A12 to get here.
“It was a great show and a once in a lifetime opportunity to see them, especially locally.
“Their performance looked and sounded excellent, with great production throughout the show.
“Alice Cooper is still a commanding stage presence, even at 78, and he really showed why he is among the all-time rock’n’roll greats.”
Graham and Jackie Poynter live in Ardleigh and it was their first time seeing the Hollywood Vampires.
Graham said: “What does it mean? It puts Colchester on the map.”
Jackie added: “It’s brilliant to be able to go to something local rather than spending the whole day going up to London.
“Having it on your doorstep is fabulous.”
Explaining why he dresses up as Johnny Depp’s popular pirate character, Steve Cave said: “I love Johnny Depp.
“I did a 50th birthday seven years ago, and now I dress as Jackie Sparrow for charity events.
“Because I was coming here, I decided to dress up as him.”
Olly Calver, of Norwich, attended the concert with friends and family, he is a big Alice Cooper fan. He said: “I’ve followed Alice for many years, we’re also here for Johnny because we’re big fans.
“We got to the gig nice and easily, it’s a good place for concerts, and outdoor concerts are the best.”
Simon and Amy-Louise Weitz travelled up on the day of the concert from Portsmouth.
“When you get that many idols on stage… first of all, Johnny Depp, I’ve always adored him, and Alice Cooper, his music, everything.
“We don’t have rock idols anymore.
“The story of how they came together in Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, and you had to outdrink the other members to get in there.
“We’re here because rock lives.
“You’ve got the history of music in a historical place, what more could you want.”
Simon, who is originally from Essex, is a set builder and carpenter, he said: “I didn’t realise they were playing this weekend, I thought it was in September.
“I was working away in Inverness, I’ve travelled all the way down here.”
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