Legendary rock n’ roll icon Jeff Beck passes away at 78. His contemporaries and friends pay tribute on social media to him.
The English musician, born Geoffrey Arnold Beck and later known as Jeff Beck, rose to prominence in the 1960s as the guitarist for The Yardbirds. He went on to form The Jeff Beck Group, composed of other legendary artists like Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood.
Beck was different from his contemporaries in his extraordinary skill with the guitar. Rolling Stones magazine even named him as one of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time. He is also a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, among his many accolades.
Beck has had a long and illustrious career in the music industry. He was active until 2022, when he collaborated with Johnny Depp on the latter’s album. The two also went on tour in the U.S. in the fall of last year. That is why news of his passing surprised his friends and fans.
His death was announced via a post on Wednesday on all his social media accounts. “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,” the statement read.
Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger paid tribute to Beck on his Twitter account, saying, “With the death of Jeff Beck we have lost a wonderful man and one of the greatest guitar players in the world. We will all miss him so much.” The musician also posted a video of them playing live along with his tweet.
Jeff Beck Group member Rod Stewart also expressed his condolences in a comment on Beck’s Instagram. He remembered their glory days together, saying, “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.” Stewart also remembered Beck’s remarkable talent on the guitar. “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.”
Other artists who remembered the late Beck on social media included former Black Sabbath vocalist Ozzy Osbourne. He posted, “It was such an honor to have known Jeff and an incredible honor to have had him play on my most recent album.”
Gene Simmons of Kiss also tweeted, ”No one played guitar like Jeff. Please get ahold of the first two Jeff Beck Group albums and behold greatness” as a remembrance of the late artist.
Former Yardbirds bandmate Jimmy Page also posted on his Instagram account a photo of Beck with the caption, “The six stringed Warrior is no longer here for us to admire the spell he could weave around our mortal emotions. Jeff could channel his music from the ethereal.”
The world of rock ‘n’ roll has truly felt the loss of Jeff Beck, a musician, artist, and phenomenal guitarist.