Farewell Jeff Beck

Guitar legend and innovator Jeff Beck has died. He was 78. The cause was bacterial meningitis and he apparently passed not long after contracting the illness. Some of the biggest stars in rock music immediately commented on his death. Watch the video with Roger Waters below.

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. pic.twitter.com/4dvt5aGzlv

— Jeff Beck (@jeffbeckmusic) January 11, 2023

I can’t express how saddened I am to hear of @JeffBeckMusic’s passing. What a terrible loss for his family, friends & his many fans. It was such an honor to have known Jeff & an incredible honor to have had him play on my most recent album, #PatientNumber9.
Long live #JeffBeck pic.twitter.com/hG6O9tzfij

— Ozzy Osbourne (@OzzyOsbourne) January 11, 2023

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. pic.twitter.com/369rHU7BCX

— David Gilmour (@davidgilmour) January 11, 2023

Absolutely one of my favorite guitarist of all time! The "Truth" album changed my life. As a singer and guitarist, I wanted to be Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart rolled into one— we all did. What a loss. We will all miss Jeff. My love and condolences to his family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/0AgQsCHN76

— Sammy Hagar (@sammyhagar) January 11, 2023

The great Jeff Beck has taken his genius and gone home. My guitar idol since age 15. For the uninitiated, check out his amazing work on (where do I begin) Roger Waters ‘Amused to Death’. His gift was impossible to copy and won’t be repeated. Thankful for huge legacy. God speed JB pic.twitter.com/oXiw04jfKu

— Rick Springfield (@rickspringfield) January 11, 2023

Comments

[Him]

I took a trip across the States with my family in our car, tent trailer in tow, long ago. At some now forgotten KOA campground, I met a kid who wanted to swap cassettes with me. He spied my copy (actually, one of my copies) of the 'iffy' Black Sabbath _:Live at Last_. He wanted to trade it. I said, sure. He handed me a copy of Jeff Beck's _Flash_. Not knowing who Beck was, I was curious. And, having other copies of the cassette I was trading, I was willing to risk it.

I know that album doesn't sit well with some Beck purists. But that was my starting point. I loved it. I couldn't stop listening to his pairing with Stewart (esp. the guitar part); I still think that Hall's vocal on "Gets Us All in the End" are amazing; and then I found the cheesy video for "Ambitious" and couldn't stop laughing. Yes, it is of it's time. But Baker and Rodgers were the producers who gave me an eye into the world of Beck. From there, where to go? Well, everywhere. The JBG. B, B & A. "Beck's Bolero"?!?!? Look who played on that!

I treated Beck like I treated Lemmy. I thought I would always have a chance to see him. In fact, last year, I did have a chance. I passed. I figured, I will get to see him soon enough. Now I won't.

Don't treat your bucket list like a trashcan. Don't treat your idols like they are immortal. The can remains; they don't. And now there is another shadow where memories would have been. Thank you, Beck. A naive youth took a chance to trade and learned something incredible about music. And he learned it from you. I am blessed that I can still hear you play.

RIP

[bkallday]

We never agree on music and i'm certain we probably disagree with most other things in life, but gotta say, you nailed it. Well said!

[Him]

Thanks, bkallday. I appreciate that.

But we do agree on Slayer too, right?

I hope you are doing good and that your 2023 is starting off well.

[Metalboy!]

Absolutely tragic!

I dunno how I kept it together upon hearing this shocking news!

Watched hours of YouTube live videos of some of his incredible performances that night after hearing about his passing.

Strangely, there’s really nothing showing his most prolific and successful era, circa the “Blow by Blow” (1975) and “Wired” (1976) platinum albums, a period where he virtually revolutionized electric guitar playing, turning a more or less traditional blues based Hard Rock style he created with Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page, turning it inside out into a jacked-up and LOUD Jazz Rock Fusion sound.

Fairly recently, Clapton (who is often referred to as “God” in the guitar world) was quoted as saying Beck was the best electric guitarist alive.

Unfortunately, no longer … RIP Jeff Beck! … God Rest and God Speed!

p.s. Quick story: I had the chance to see Beck perform live on tour supporting “Wired” in 1976 … But I was sick as a dog with the flu, barfing a lot. My buddy called to say he and my other friends were coming to pick me up . I told him there’s just no way. However, he insisted and came knocking on my front door. I answered and agreed to go. I threw on my coat and just as I stepped off the front stoop, I projectile vomited, almost hitting my buddy. I never made it to the show. Looking back, I obviously wish I had gone, torpedoes (or, rather, projectiles) be damned! Who cares if I had ralphed all over the venue (U.S. Naval Academy Field House), I would have gotten to see Jeff Beck! Check out “Freeway Jam” off the “Blow by Blow” album. It’s my personal favorite Jeff Beck composition.