Johnny Depp Makes Rare Public Appearance in L.A. to Launch Rum Brand

Johnny Depp red carpet outings are few and far between, especially in Los Angeles, but the veteran star turned up at the Wilshire Ebell Theater on Tuesday night for a packed launch party to promote his new rum brand. And plenty of rock stars rolled through to show support and swallow some Three Hearts Rum.

Aerosmith legend Steven Tyler (who sang along to “Walk This Way”), Beck, The Kills’ Jamie Hince, Queens of the Stone Age’s Josh Homme, Arctic Monkey’s Matt Helders, Jerry Cantrell and others were among the rockers while guests included Jerry Bruckheimer, Bill Burr, Rauw Alejandro, Rain Phoenix and more. But instead of drafting one of his pals to hit the stage, the night featured a performance from Matteo Bocelli, son of acclaimed singer Andrea Bocelli.

Depp also made the most of his rare L.A. night out. He was seen greeting fans and taking in the lively atmosphere alongside his co-founder Bobby DeLeon. The two even teamed up as Depp branded two cases of wood to match the symbols on their new Three Hearts bottles. Depp and DeLeon have been swirling the idea around for years with the intent of creating something with meaning that honored their bond as well as the heritage of rum from the Caribbean, a place where Depp has spent considerable time across two decades (on his own private island in the Bahamas named Little Hall’s Pond Cay).

Their creative process gained traction in the wake of the devastation caused by hurricanes across several Caribbean islands in recent years as they sought ways they might be able to support and spotlight local communities. Depp poured a bit of his heart into the bottle by designing it himself and incorporating symbolism inspired by his tattoos, personal philosophy and the three loves of his life, ex-wife Vanessa Paradis and their children, Lily Rose-Depp and Jack Depp.

The bottle is also embossed with the flag of Depp’s island, made up of the tattoos on his body like a skull to serve as a reminder to live fully, a lightning bolt to symbolize enduring friendship, the number three to represent new beginnings and three hearts represent the loves of his life. The base of the bottle features the brand’s motto: “No Fear. No Malice. No Envy.” The top of the bottle features a bracelet-style charm.

“Rum holds the history of the islands,” Depp said in a statement released with the launch. “It’s shaped by the hands of the people who grow the cane, ferment the spirit and age it over time. Bobby and I wanted to create something that honored that tradition and the friendships that inspired it.”

See below for photos from inside Tuesday night’s bash.