Guitar virtuoso Jeff Beck was a major influence on generations of guitarists…no matter what the style.  Beck died January 10, 2023 in the United Kingdom as a result of bacterial meningitis at the age of 78.

Black Sabbath guitarist said that, “Jeff was such a nice person and an outstanding iconic, genius guitar player – there will never be another Jeff Beck”.

Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry called Beck, “the best guitar player on the planet.”  He added, “he is head, hands and feet above all the rest of us, with the kind of talent that appears only once every generation or two.”

Beck’s guitar of choice was the Fender Stratocaster which he played without a pick.


Beck first came on the musical scene as a member of The Yardbirds before embarking on a solo career that included rock, jazz, blues, and opera.  His list of collaborations include Luciano Pavarotti, Macy Gray, Chrissie Hynde, Stevie Wonder, Joss Stone, Imelda May, Cyndi Lauper, Wynonna Judd, Buddy Guy, Sir George Martin, Seal, Jan Hammer, Johnny Depp, Sir Rod Stewart, Jimi Hendrix, and even with an orchestra.

Beck appeared in a handful of film and television productions including “Harry & Paul’s Story of the 2’s”, “The Comic Strip Presents”, “A Spinal Tap Reunion: The 25th Anniversary London Sell-Out”, “Twins”, and numerous music videos.


He was an eight time Grammy Award winner who is a two time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee – once with The Yardbirds and once as a solo artist.

Speaking on his music Beck said, “I like an element of chaos in music. That feeling is the best thing ever, as long as you don’t have too much of it. It’s got to be in balance.”  After seeing Cirque du Soleil in 2014 he said, “I just saw Cirque du Soleil, and it struck me as complete organized chaos.  If I could turn that into music, it’s not far away from what my ultimate goal would be, which is to delight people with chaos and beauty at the same time.”



He was born Georffrey Arnold Beck in Surrey England on June 24, 1944; the son of an accountant.  Even before attending Wimbledon Art College, a young Geoffrey built his own “guitar” using a cigar box, picture frame, and an RC toy airplane string.

Prior to joining The Yardbirds Beck was in a number of bands including Nightshift and The Tridents.  He also formed his own band – The Jeff Beck Group with Rod Stewart as lead singer.

A perfectionist, Beck never garnered the massive commercial success found by some of his contemporaries.

When not making music, he enjoyed restoring classic automobiles.

Jeff Beck is survived by his wife Sandra.


Jeff Beck discography:
“Truth”
“Beck-Ola”
“Rough and Ready”
“Jeff Beck Group”
“Shapes of Things”
“Beck Bogert & Appice”
“Blow by Blow”
“Wired”
“Live”
“There and Back”
“Flash”
“Jeff Beck Guitar Shop”
“Frankie’s House”
“Crazy Legs”
“Up”
“Who Else!”
“You Had it Coming”
“Jeff”
“Jeff Beck Live: B.B. King’s Blues Club & Grill, New York”
“Official Bootleg USA ‘06”
“Performing This Week…Live at Ronnie Scott’s”
“Emotion & Commotion”
“Live and Exclusive from the Grammy Museum”
“Rock ‘n’ Roll Party: Honoring Les Paul”
“Live+”
“Loud Hailer”
“Live at the Hollywood Bowl”
“18”

Feature photo credit: Jeff Beck live.jpg

Jeff Beck Live Commodore Ballroom Vancouver, British Columbia Canada – Feb. 17, 2001 Roll 2_Frame 21 Ever seen a picture of Jeff looking into the camera while playing live?  Matt Gibbons