The death of Jeff Beck hit me hard for two reasons. Mainly because he was a thoroughly nice guy. Life sometimes seems incredibly unfair.
Jeff was just a tad older than me but didn’t seem interested in the idea of aging and giving up – something I passionately agree with – so now he’s gone so suddenly that I kind of feel a little vulnerable.
I’m sure millions of rock fans will feel the same way.
Not only was Jeff Beck brilliant at his job, he had a special character, someone who never strayed from their personal style, beliefs (he was a vegetarian) and determination to only do what makes them comfortable.
JANET STREET-PORTER: The death of Jeff Beck hit me hard for two reasons. Mainly because he was a thoroughly nice guy. (Pictured: Beck in 1967 before the release of his first solo single Tallyman)
JANET STREET-PORTER: My first encounter with Jeff was on a film set – in 1965 Italian director Antonioni was making a film called Blow Up about a photographer in swinging London. He showed up at my college bar looking for trendy students to perform in a nightclub scene that would feature the Yardbirds (starring Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck). I was selected and asked to wear my own clothes. (Pictured on the left is Janet dancing in the scene while on the right Jeff is playing with the Yardbirds)
Over the decades he’s been labeled difficult – but he was a genius who believed life was too short to waste his talent and time on second-rate work.
My first encounter with Jeff was on a film set – in 1965 Italian director Antonioni was making a film called Blow Up about a photographer in swinging London.
He showed up at my college bar looking for trendy students to perform in a nightclub scene that would feature the Yardbirds (starring Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck). I was selected and asked to wear my own clothes.
Here’s what I wrote about that exciting day in my memoir, Fall Out:
David Hemmings, the film’s star, walked into the club as the band smashed their instruments. The whole job was a lot of standing around and looking cool – no problem for me. And to make it even better, I loved the Yardbirds and was totally infatuated with Jeff Beck. With a bit of luck I might even meet him! I definitely cut a fancy figure in my PVC trousers and silver plastic coat – think a Dalek being played by a green bean and you’ve got the look.
Fourteen years later I was married for the third time, to film director Frank Cvitanovich, who knew Jeff Beck’s then-girlfriend, model Celia Hammond. Imagine my horror when Frank said he invited her to dinner.
Barely able to cook, I had to put together a vegetarian dinner for one of the world’s greatest guitarists and his beautiful partner.
An avid blues fan since I was 14, I had followed the Yardbirds since they were first inducted in 1963, traveling miles to clubs in Richmond and Chelsea. By 1965, Jeff had joined the group along with Jimmy Page, replacing Eric Clapton.
Beck and Page were a fantastic combination and although Jeff left the band within two years, the Yardbirds at their best were far more exciting than the Rolling Stones, which I’d also followed from the start.
Jeff Beck with Mick Jagger in December 1986. After his death, Jagger said on Twitter: “With the death of Jeff Beck we have lost a wonderful man and one of the greatest guitarists in the world. We will all miss him so much’
Beck pictured with members of his eponymous group in 1967, Aynsley Dunbar on the left, Rod Stewart behind him and Ronnie Wood on the right
Cooking stuffed peppers for my musical hero Jeff Beck in 1979 was one of the most challenging moments of my life – worse than having to interview Sex Pistols bass guitarist Sid Vicious on TV in 1976.
More from Janet Street-Porter for Web…
Jeff was charming and really good company that night. As he left he whispered to me, “This is the best meal I’ve had in a year – she can’t cook”.
True or not, it was exactly what I wanted to hear. I was an avid Yardbirds fan again.
We kept in touch and I was invited to play in the annual tennis tournament that Jeff hosted each year on his birthday at his 16th century manor house in Sussex.
I found myself on one side of the net when I was up against Roger Waters.
The Pink Floyd guitarist wore fitted white shorts (a bit distracting) while Led Zeppelin manager Peter Grant sat in the umpire’s chair. A huge mountain of people, famous for their ruthless business tactics – there would be no arguments over phone calls.
I can’t remember who won, but it probably wasn’t me because the nervousness was ruining my game. As always, Jeff was a perfect host and treated everyone equally. I wasn’t at all surprised that he recently recorded an album and toured with Johnny Depp. Always loyal to his friends, Jeff had no time for snobs or gossip.
On another birthday, his fortieth, I was late with two guitarists – Neil X and Tony James from Sigue Sigue Sputnik (who was my boyfriend at the time) and we were all put in a scratch band as it was raining and tennis was cancelled .
Neil and Tony were instructed to select guitars they wanted from Jeff’s historical collection. For them, the day was absolutely historic. Anne Dudley from Art of Noise played piano, Pete Richardson from Comic Strip was on drums and I had to sing along as best I could. Chrissie Hynde seemed a little shy about singing – I can’t imagine why.
Sometimes I met Jeff at the Groucho club and he was always the same humble rock god. You could guarantee he’s wearing a white or black t-shirt, black leather jacket, bracelet, and distressed jeans. His hair was always exactly the same – spiky and very dark brown or black. His face didn’t seem to be aging one bit.
Beck pictured left with fellow Yardbirds members Paul Samwell-Smith, Keith Relf, Jim McCarty and Chris Dreja
Beck and Depp performed songs from their debut album in New York last October
Jeff Beck was a true example of the goodness of the mind that slows the aging process. His openness and generosity were his trademarks.
He loved restoring classic cars and did most of the renovation of his historic half-timbered house (built by a wool merchant in the 16th century) himself. On stage, Jeff Beck cut a lousy figure with his scintillating solos and virtuosity, but he regularly turned down work because he didn’t want to travel or leave home.
Jeff Beck just seemed to get better at his craft as he got older. And you can’t say that about many rock musicians. Humble but absolutely confident in his ability to rival any musician on stage, from Jimmy Page, Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood, Mick Jagger to Brian Wilson and Ozzy Osbourne.
His work ranged from blues to techno, he was not a man who set boundaries or restrictions. Along the way, he won eight Grammys and the respect of countless young musicians because he never compromised.
A Jeff Beck solo sounded like no other.
Jeff was my inspiration. A man who knew how to grow old shamefully. He will be sorely missed.
Beck with his sixth wife Sandra Cash in 2008