By 1980, the Kids were an established band, making a big name for themselves in the South Florida music scene. Johnnys ambition was to become a member, and after auditioning for them, he joined as lead guitarist in late 1980. The lineup at this time was the most stable and successful incarnation of the band:
Bruce Witkin - bass and lead vocals
Johnny Depp - lead guitar
Joey Malone - guitar and background vocals
Bill "Beano" Hanti - drums
In various interviews, Johnny has recalled his very first Kids show being on the road in Atlanta, opening for Chuck Berry. They opened for such major national acts as Talking Heads, The Pretenders, Pat Benatar, Iggy Pop, The B-52s, The Ramones, The Romantics, Modern English, and A Flock Of Seagulls. They frequently played in venues such as The Treehouse, The Agora, Gusman Hall, and the Sunrise Musical Theatre. In a 2007 radio interview promoting the Sheila Witkin Memorial Concert, they also mentioned having played at Summers On The Beach, Rock Cassino, The Candy Store, Sportatorium, The Playpen, and The Button South; the Rock And A Hard Place trailer features a brief radio ad for The Kids playing at the Level III in Miami. Their sound was a new wave/pop blend, which Johnny has variously described as "somewhere between The Clash and U2" or "U2 mixed with The Sex Pistols".
Bruce Witkin - bass and lead vocals
Johnny Depp - lead guitar
Joey Malone - guitar and background vocals
Bill "Beano" Hanti - drums
In various interviews, Johnny has recalled his very first Kids show being on the road in Atlanta, opening for Chuck Berry. They opened for such major national acts as Talking Heads, The Pretenders, Pat Benatar, Iggy Pop, The B-52s, The Ramones, The Romantics, Modern English, and A Flock Of Seagulls. They frequently played in venues such as The Treehouse, The Agora, Gusman Hall, and the Sunrise Musical Theatre. In a 2007 radio interview promoting the Sheila Witkin Memorial Concert, they also mentioned having played at Summers On The Beach, Rock Cassino, The Candy Store, Sportatorium, The Playpen, and The Button South; the Rock And A Hard Place trailer features a brief radio ad for The Kids playing at the Level III in Miami. Their sound was a new wave/pop blend, which Johnny has variously described as "somewhere between The Clash and U2" or "U2 mixed with The Sex Pistols".
