Rock guitarist and artist Jeff Beck, who was 78 years old, has died.
According to a statement on his official social media sites, rock guitarist Jeff Beck, who was frequently ranked among the best of all time, has passed away. He was 78.
The statement read, “On behalf of his family, it is with deep and profound regret that we announce the news of Jeff Beck’s passing. He peacefully went away yesterday after unexpectedly developing bacterial meningitis. While they grieve this enormous loss, his family requests privacy.
CNN received an email from his agent, Melissa Dragich, confirming the information.
After taking Eric Clapton’s position in the Yardbirds in the 1960s, Beck became well-known. A year later, he quit to form The Jeff Beck Group, a band that also included Rod Stewart and Ron Wood.
Paul Samwell-Smith, Chris Dreja, Jim McCarty, Jeff Beck, and Keith Relf, members of the English band The Yardbirds, pose for a group photo on a London street in 1965.
Paul Samwell-Smith, Chris Dreja, Jim McCarty, Jeff Beck, and Keith Relf, members of the English band The Yardbirds, pose for a group photo on a London street in 1965.
Redferns/Getty Images/Val Wilmer
Both as a member of the Yardbirds and as a solo artist, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 and 2009, respectively.
Beck, an eight-time Grammy winner, won his first for “Escape” in the category of best rock instrumental performance in 1985. He went on to take home five more victories in that division.
After recording “18,” a cover album along with Johnny Depp, Beck went on tour with him last year.
During the 24th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio, Beck is pictured here (on the left).
During the 24th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio, Beck is pictured here (on the left).
Author: Stephen Lovekin
Among Beck’s best-known songs are “Heart Full of Soul,” a 1965 Yardbirds single, “I Ain’t Superstitious,” from his 1968 debut solo album with The Jeff Beck Group, “Truth,” and “Freeway Jam,” from his 1975 second album, “Blow by Blow.”
Stewart commented on Beck’s passing on Twitter, saying that the musician “was one of the few guitarists that, when performing live, would truly listen to me sing and respond.”
Jeff, you were the best, my man, he proclaimed.
Wood, a different ex-bandmate of Beck’s, also paid tribute to him on Wednesday, tweeting that he was “going to deeply miss him.
In his letter, he said, “I want to thank him for all our early days together in Jeff Beck Group, capturing America. It was tremendous, ground-breaking rock ‘n’ roll, and musically, we were breaking all the rules!
Gene Simmons, the bassist and co-frontman for KISS, described Beck’s passing as “heartbreaking.”
Simmons claimed on Twitter that Jeff was the best guitarist ever. “Please obtain the first two Jeff Beck Group records, and experience greatness. RIP.”
According to his spokesman, Beck, who is originally from England, is survived by his wife Sandra.
