Tributes have poured in from the music world following the death of legendary guitarist, Jeff Beck.
The star passed away on Tuesday, January 10, after “suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis", a representative confirmed on Wednesday.
Following the announcement, his loved ones shared a message on his social media accounts.
They said: “On behalf of his family, it is with deep and profound sadness that we share the news of Jeff Beck’s passing.
"After suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis, he peacefully passed away yesterday. His family ask for privacy while they process this tremendous loss."
Frontman of Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, said that it had been “such an honour” to know and play with him on his most recent album.
The rock legend said: “I can’t express how saddened I am to hear of @JeffBeckMusic’s passing.
“What a terrible loss for his family, friends & his many fans.
“It was such an honour to have known Jeff & an incredible honour to have had him play on my most recent album, #PatientNumber9. Long live #JeffBeck.”
Founding member and guitarist for Black Sabbath, Tony Iommi, was also one of the first to pay tribute to the late star on Wednesday, tweeting: "I was totally shocked to hear the very sad news of Jeff Beck’s passing. Jeff was such a nice person and an outstanding iconic, genius guitar player - there will never be another Jeff Beck.
"His playing was very special & distinctively brilliant! He will be missed. RIP Jeff -Tony."
Gene Simmons added: "Heartbreaking news to report the late, great Jeff Beck has sadly passed. No one played guitar like Jeff. Please get ahold of the first two Jeff Beck Group albums and behold greatness. RIP."
Beck first came to prominence as a member of the Yardbirds and then went out on his own in a solo career that incorporated hard rock, jazz, funky blues and even opera.
He was known for his improvising, love of harmonics and the whammy bar on his preferred guitar, the Fender Stratocaster.
"Jeff Beck is the best guitar player on the planet," Joe Perry, the lead guitarist of Aerosmith, told The New York Times in 2010. "He is head, hands and feet above all the rest of us, with the kind of talent that appears only once every generation or two."
The singer hit the headlines last year after inviting Johnny Depp to appear on stage with him during several gigs on his UK tour, shortly after his defamation suit against his ex-wife Amber Heard.
Beck enjoyed a close relationship with Hollywood actor Depp and performed with the Pirates of the Caribbean star, 58, several times last year.
Jeff first invited him on stage with him in June, as a jury began deliberating their verdict in the actor's defamation case against his former spouse over in America.
Johnny's surprise appearance reportedly drew loud cheers from the crowd - with many delighted to see him - but not everyone was impressed by his musical talents.
Beck's friendship with the Edward Scissorhands star dated back to 2017 when the pair first met in the iconic guitarist's dressing room.
In 2020 the pair released their first musical collaboration together, the single Isolation, a cover of John Lennon’s 1970 hit.
But the pair had actually been collaborating for years before this. In 2019 they performed together at Eric Clapton’s charity event in Texas.
Announcing the release of their Isolation single, Beck’s website said that he "found an unexpected co-conspirator in Johnny Depp" and described them as "musical soulmates".
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