Iggy inspired Depp’s ‘Sweeney Todd’

Iggy Pop, circa 1973It’s fairly common knowledge that Rolling Stone guitarist Keith Richards inspired Johnny Depp's performance as Capt. Jack Sparrow.

In a recent interview with New York Magazine, Depp revealed Iggy Pop was an influence on his role in the forthcoming “Sweeney Todd.”

“Sweeney Todd” is based on the Broadway musical about a murderous barber. It marks the first time Depp is singing on-screen, although he shared the screen with Iggy Pop in John Waters’ 1990 musical, “Cry-Baby.”

“If there was anybody in terms of inspiration for my sound, it was Anthony Newley (the Broadway vet),” Depp told New York Magazine. “And Iggy Pop, you know? Iggy’s kind of this very aggressive crooner. Especially in the early stuff, there’s something about his attack that’s haunting.”

(Jorge Sosa is a staff writer for the Hutchinson Leader. He can be reached at sosa@hutchinsonleader.com)