Jeff Beck, who played for the Yardbirds, founded the Jeff Beck Group (Photo: Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)
“The warrior of six strings is no longer here to admire the spell he might cast upon our mortal emotions. Jeff could channel the music of the ethereal
Jimmy Page, guitarist for Led Zeppelin
Folhapress and Estado de Minas
Guitarist Jeff Beck has died at the age of 78 from bacterial meningitis. The information was published this Wednesday (November 1) on the British musician’s official Twitter account.
“On behalf of his family, it is with deep and intense sadness that we share the news of Jeff Beck’s death,” the publication reads. “He died peacefully yesterday after suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis. His family requests privacy as they process this tremendous loss.”
Beck was born in Wallington, southern England, in 1944. He began his career as a studio musician until 1965, when he took over as guitarist for the band Yardbirds, replacing Eric Clapton.
Over the years, the group went down in rock history for having three of the genre’s greatest guitarists in different formations. Alongside Beck and Clapton, Led Zeppelin member Jimmy Page was also part of the band.
But it was only with the Jeff Beck Group and in a solo career that the musician became famous from the late 1960s, his bestknown albums are “Blow by Blow” from 1975 and “Wired” from 1976, which marked his transition to a more instrumental rock style and still be commercially successful.
Jeff Beck (left) with the Yardbirds, with Chris Dreja, Jim McCarty, Jimmy Page and Keith Relf (Photo: Reproduction)
The Pickless guitarist
Over the years, Beck has become known for his guitar skills and technique, which he played without a pick, unlike most instrumentalists around the world. The guitarist dropped the object and began playing with his fingers from the 1989 album Jeff Beck’s Guitar Shop.
Although closely associated with rock, his style was based on blues and incorporated elements of jazz fusion and hard rock alongside electronic music. Although Beck was recognized for his talent on guitar, he was never as popular or sold as many records as other big names on the instrument in rock history.
In addition to his solo career, Beck has played guitar on numerous albums by singers and bands including Bon Jovi, Roger Waters, Morrissey and Ozzy Osbourne, among others.
His most recent project was the album 18 in collaboration with actor Johnny Depp, with whom he toured in 2022.
The British artist has won eight Grammy Awards during his career the first in 1985 and the last in 2010. Seven of them in the instrumental music categories.
Beck has also been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice in 1992 as a member of the Yardbirds and in 2009 as a solo artist.
Friends mourn the “sixstring warrior”
“The sixstringed warrior is no longer here to admire the spell he might cast upon our mortal emotions. Jeff could channel music from the etheric. Its unique technique. Your seemingly limitless imagination. Jeff I will miss you along with your millions of fans. Rest in peace,” said Jimmy Page, guitarist for Led Zeppelin.
“I am devastated to hear the news of the passing of my friend and hero Jeff Beck, whose music has moved and inspired me and countless others for so many years,” said Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour.
“What a terrible loss for his family, friends and many fans. It was an honor to have met Jeff and an incredible honor to have him on my last album Patient Number 9. Long live Jeff Beck!” Ozzy Osbourne said on social media.
“No one played guitar like Jeff. Please buy the first two Jeff Beck Group albums and experience the greatness,” tweeted Gene Simmons, vocalist and bassist for Kiss.
Ron Wood, guitarist for the Rolling Stones, highlighted his friend’s legacy. “Musically we broke all the rules, it was amazing, groundbreaking rock ‘n’ roll! Listen to the incredible track ‘Plynth’,” he recommended.
“He made the guitar sing… A huge influence on me and so many others,” said Steve Hackett, guitarist for the band Genesis.