Jeff Beck, legendary rock guitarist and musician, dies at 78; David Gilmour, Rod Stewart pay tribute

Jeff Beck, one of the most iconic rock guitarists, has died at the age of 78. His death was confirmed on his official Twitter page. The statement read, ‘On behalf of his family, it is with deep and profound sadness that we share the news of Jeff Beck’s passing. After suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis, he peacefully passed away yesterday. His family ask for privacy while they process this tremendous loss.’

Jeff Beck rose to fame in the 1960s as part of the Yardbirds, when he replaced Eric Clapton. A year later, he started his own group The Jeff Beck group with Rod Stewart and Ron Wood.

In 1992, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of the Yardbirds and inducted again in 2009 as a solo artist.

Beck won his first Grammy in 1985 for best rock instrumental performance for Escape. He won in the same category five more times.

Some of Jeff Beck’s most well-known songs are ‘Heart Full of Soul,’ a 1965 single from the Yardbirds, ‘I Ain’t Superstitious’ from his debut solo 1968 album with The Jeff Beck Group, ‘Truth’ and ‘Freeway Jam’ from his second album, ‘Blow by Blow’ in 1975.

Rod Stewart reacted to Beck’s death on Twitter and wrote that he ‘was one of the few guitarists that when playing live would actually listen to me sing and respond.’ ‘Jeff, you were the greatest, my man,’ he said.

Ron Wood, Beck’s former bandmate, also honoured his memory on Twitter and wrote that he was ‘going to dearly miss him’. ‘I want to thank him for all our early days together in Jeff Beck Group, conquering America,’ he wrote.

Singer-guitarist David Gilmour tweeted, ‘I am devastated to hear the news of the death of my friend and hero Jeff Beck, whose music has thrilled and inspired me and countless others for so many years. Polly’s and my thoughts go out to his lovely wife Sandra. He will be forever in our hearts.’

KISS bassist and co-frontman Gene Simmons called Beck’s passing ‘heartbreaking.’ ‘No one played guitar like Jeff. Please get a hold of the first two Jeff Beck Group albums and behold greatness. RIP,’ Simmons wrote on Twitter.

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