One of the most influential rockguitarists, Jeff Beck, has passed away at the age of 78.
Beck’s skill and tone redefined guitar music in the 1960s and influenced movements including heavy metal, punk, and jazz-rock.
His family shared the news of the famed guitarist's passing online on Wednesday, January 12.
According to the statement, Beck died “peacefully” on Tuesday (January 10), after contracting bacterial meningitis.
We look at the life of the guitarist and how his famous friends reacted to the news.
Who is Jeff Beck?
Beck rose to fame as part of the Yardbirds, where he replaced Eric Clapton, before forming the Jeff Beck Group with Sir Rod Stewart.
The British musician, whose parents are Arnold and Ethel Beck, was born Geoffrey Arnold Beck in Wallington, England. As a young child, Beck developed a passion for music.
The guitarist spent a little over two years with the Yardbirds before launching a solo career and releasing his first solo single, Hi Ho Silver Lining, in 1969.
Unfortunately, Beck received little success as a solo performer, which led to him forming the Jeff Beck Group. The group's original lineup was Sir Rod on vocals, Ronnie Wood on bass, Nicky Hopkins on piano, and Aynsley Dunbar on drums.
Beck was twice inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once in 1992 while a member of The Yardbirds and again in 2009 as a solo performer.
Eight Grammys were given to Beck during the course of his career; the first was awarded in 1985 for the song Escape, which won the category for best rock instrumental performance.
Beck has worked with several notable musicians over the years, such as Sir Mick Jagger, Roger Waters, and Jon Bon Jovi. He also played on the 1987 album Primitive Cool with Nile Rodgers, with whom he co-wrote the album Flash.
Additionally, Beck contributed to Hans Zimmer's score for the Tom Cruise movie Days of Thunder.
Beck’s career continued as he heavily toured in the 2010s, including times when he was joined by Brian Wilson, a former Beach Boys member.
In 2022, Beck made headlines when he announced a collaborative album with Johnny Depp shortly after the Hollywood actor’s defamation battle with ex-wife Amber Heard drew to a close.
The same year, Beck released a full-length album, titled 18, with Depp, and the pair played a number of live gigs together.
Tributes to Jeff Beck
When he heard the news of his passing, singer Sir Rod referred to Beck as “the greatest”.
Posting a picture of the pair together on Instagram, Sir Rod wrote: “Jeff Beck was on another planet. He took me and Ronnie Wood to the USA in the late 60s in his band the Jeff Beck Group and we haven’t looked back since.
“He was one of the few guitarists that when playing live would actually listen to me sing and respond. Jeff, you were the greatest, my man. Thank you for everything. RIP.”
Rock singer and guitarist Eric Clapton tweeted: “Always and ever…….. ec”.
“Always and ever”…….. ec pic.twitter.com/eEt3qEUuT2
— Eric Clapton (@EricClapton) January 11, 2023
Former bandmate Ronnie Wood tweeted: “Now Jeff has gone, I feel like one of my band of brothers has left this world, and I’m going to dearly miss him. I’m sending much sympathy to [His wife] Sandra, his family, and all who loved him. I want to thank him for all our early days together in Jeff Beck Group, conquering America.”
