Mick Jagger can’t hold back his tears: “We will all miss him so much…” Jeff Beck, the man who redefined guitar music in the 1960’s, passed away Thursday at the age of 78. The news of his sudden loss was shared on Twitter by members of his closest family.
“On behalf of his family, it is with deep and profound sadness that we share the news of Jeff Beck’s passing,” the statement said.
“After suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis, he peacefully passed away yesterday. His family ask for privacy while they process this tremendous loss.”
Regarded among the greatest of all time, Beck constantly pushed boundaries and was a central figure in the key development of rock music.
Throughout the course of his career, which spanned five decades, Beck experimented with new sounds and approaches, which brought freshness in the world of music.
Beck joined the Yardbirds in 1965, replacing Eric Clapton. He stayed with the band for around two years, but it was during that period that he invented use of feedback, something that influenced other great names in the industry.
Speaking of that technique, Beck told BBC Radio 2’s Johnnie Walker, “That [technique] came as an accident.
“We played larger venues, around about ’64-’65, and the PA was inadequate. So we cranked up the level and then found out that feedback would happen.
“I started using it because it was controllable – you could play tunes with it. I did this once at Staines Town Hall with the Yardbirds and afterwards, this guy says, ‘You know that funny noise that wasn’t supposed to be there? I’d keep that in if I were you.’
“So I said, ‘It was deliberate mate. Go away.’”
Once he departed with the Yardbirds, Beck went on to release the single Hi Ho Silver Lining before forming the first incarnation of the Jeff Beck Group in early 1967. The group featured Ronnie Wood on bass, and Rod Steward.
Beck was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 as part of the Yardbirds and then again in 2009 as a solo artist.
This incredible musician’s passing brought devastation at his many fans and friends. Among them musician Mick Jagger who paid his tribute to Beck. They were close friends, and Jagger recalled asking Beck for help with the lead guitar parts on his first solo album, She’s the Boss, back in 1985.
“We have lost a wonderful man and one of the world’s best guitar players,” Jagger wrote on the social media.
Jimmy Page, who replaced Beck in Yardbirds, also paid a heartfelt tribute. “Jeff’s channeling abilities enabled him to access music from other levels. His approach is unique… When I say I’ll miss you greatly, I’m sure I speak for all your countless other fans,” Page wrote.
The influence Beck had on music and the mark he left can never be replicated. May he rest in peace.
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The music world was rocked with sadness upon the news of Jeff Beck’s passing, a guitar legend whose contributions helped shape the very sound of rock music. Known for his relentless innovation and creativity, Beck passed away at the age of 78, leaving behind a legacy that will be cherished forever. His family shared the heartbreaking news of his death, revealing that he had suddenly contracted bacterial meningitis.
“On behalf of his family, it is with deep and profound sadness that we share the news of Jeff Beck’s passing,” the statement read. “After suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis, he peacefully passed away yesterday. His family asks for privacy while they process this tremendous loss.”
Beck was more than just a guitarist; he was a trailblazer who constantly pushed the boundaries of music, introducing techniques and sounds that would influence countless musicians. His inventive use of feedback during his time with the Yardbirds in the mid-1960s revolutionized guitar music, inspiring future legends like Jimmy Page and Jimi Hendrix. That ingenuity became his hallmark, as he transitioned from a key figure in the British Invasion to a guitar virtuoso who mastered blending blues, jazz, and rock into a style uniquely his own.
Reflecting on the introduction of feedback in his performances, Beck once said, “We played larger venues, around about ’64-’65, and the PA was inadequate. So we cranked up the level and then found out that feedback would happen. I started using it because it was controllable – you could play tunes with it.”
After parting ways with the Yardbirds, Beck forged his own path with the Jeff Beck Group, which featured future stars like Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood. His influence expanded beyond just his guitar prowess. His vision for sound, innovation, and boundary-pushing made him a musician’s musician—a peer to the greats but one who always walked his own road. Beck’s contribution to music earned him not one, but two inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame—first as a member of the Yardbirds in 1992, and later as a solo artist in 2009.
In the wake of his passing, tributes from fellow musicians and fans poured in, with many sharing memories of their time with the legendary guitarist. Mick Jagger, who was a close friend and collaborator, expressed his grief, saying, “We have lost a wonderful man and one of the world’s best guitar players. We will all miss him so much.”
Jimmy Page, who succeeded Beck in the Yardbirds, added his heartfelt tribute: “Jeff’s channeling abilities enabled him to access music from other levels. His approach is unique… When I say I’ll miss you greatly, I’m sure I speak for all your countless other fans.”
Jeff Beck’s passing marks the end of an era for rock music, but his influence will continue to inspire future generations. His fearless approach to guitar and passion for innovation set him apart from his contemporaries, making him a truly irreplaceable figure in the world of music. May his soul rest in peace, and may his music live on forever in the hearts of those he touched.
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