The star of the movie "Public Enemy" will hold a concert in Ashland. Mike Simonson reports that while shooting the movie in Wisconsin, Johnny Depp is taking up the cause of gangland preservation.

Depp's idea has blossomed into a dream concert for the small city on Chequamegon Bay. Friends Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan and Cheryl Crow are now on the ticket to appear at Ashland's Black Cat Cafe. Black Cat owner Honore Spickerman says they know this is a world-class concert, so she's going the extra mile. "Yeah, we went to the thrift store and bought a couple extra chairs and, yeah, I think we're pretty prepared." Spickerman says Depp's request for a private pirate ship on Lake Superior has them concerned. But Mayor Ed Monroe says it's a win-win for everyone. "Absolutely. I can't believe it myself. I can't remember being this excited since I've been 21 years old and heading to the taverns for the first time." Each artist has a favorite gangster: Clapton likes Bugsy Malone, Dylan is partial to Bonnie and Clyde, McCartney likes Pretty Boy Floyd and Depp, of course, likes John Dillinger, the lead character in "Public Enemy". Monroe says this should be good for tourism. "Oh, gangland history, I mean, everyone's got a warm spot in their heart for gangland history. I can't imagine anyone not wanting to turn out for an event like that. I mean, to have Johnny Depp there too championing it? Really." In a statement from Hollywood, Depp says quote: "If we don't preserve our gangland history now, the bullet holes of the past will just fade away." That concert is today, April first, so April Fools.

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