Jeff Beck, the legendary English Rock guitarist, passed away at 78

Jeff Beck (Geoffrey Arnold Beck), a British rock guitarist who first gained notoriety with the Yardbirds before leading the Jeff Beck Group and Beck, Bogert & Appice, has passed away at 78.

Beck passed away on January 10, Tuesday after “suddenly getting emphysema,” according to a statement issued by his reps on Wednesday. It was not immediately clear where it was.

Sharing some old pictures with Jeff, Ronnie Wood, Beck’s fellow band member from the Jeff Beck Group & an English guitarist, tweeted, “ Now Jeff has gone, I feel like one of my band of brothers has left this world, and I am going to dearly miss him. I’m sending to much sympathy to Sandra, his family, and all who loved him. I want to thank him for all our early days together in the Jeff Beck Group, conquering America.”

🙏Now Jeff has gone, I feel like one of my band of brothers has left this world, and I’m going to dearly miss him. I’m sending much sympathy to Sandra, his family, and all who loved him. I want to thank him for all our early days together in Jeff Beck Group, conquering America. pic.twitter.com/UareDAdtZ9

— Ronnie Wood (@ronniewood) January 11, 2023

Gibson wrote on Twitter, “ We are deeply saddened to hear of Jeff Beck’s passing. He was and always will be an inspiration. Our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and fans. Rest easy, Jeff. Thank you for the music.”

We are deeply saddened to hear of Jeff Beck’s passing. He was and always will be an inspiration. Our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and fans. Rest easy, Jeff. Thank you for the music. pic.twitter.com/XiYVFgwoGt

— Gibson (@gibsonguitar) January 11, 2023

The musical career of Jeff Beck

When Jeff Beck left the Yardbirds, he launched a solo career that included hard rock, funky blues, jazz,  and even opera. Beck first gained notoriety as a member of the Yardbirds. He was renowned for his improvisational skills, love of harmonics, and the tremolo bar on his Fender Stratocaster guitar.

On the list of the hundred best guitarists published by Rolling Stone and other publications, Beck came in at number five. He was frequently referred to as a “guitarist’s guitarist.” He was referred to as “one of the most important lead guitarists in rock” by Rolling Stone.

Even though Beck had two successful solo albums in 1975 and 1976, he could not achieve or sustain the same long-term financial success as many of his contemporaries and comrades. He recorded with numerous musicians.

In the pantheon of rock guitarists from the late 1960s, Jeff Beck was listed alongside Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, and Jimi Hendrix.

Beck achieved twice to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: first in 1992 with the Yardbirds and once in 2009 as a solo performer. Additionally, he won eight Grammy Awards.

Beck has shared the stage with a wide range of vocalists, including Macy Gray, Chrissie Hynde, Cyndi Lauper,  Imelda May,   Buddy Guy, Wynonna Judd, and Johnny Depp. He released two records with Rod Stewart, “Truth” in 1968 and “Beck-Ola” in 1969, as well as “Emotion & Commotion,” a recording with a 64-piece orchestra.

Achievements

Broadly praised by critics, Beck won six Grammys for best rock instrumental performance and one for best pop instrumental performance. He was given the Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music by the British Academy in 2014.