On Wednesday, the verified Twitter account for Jeff Beck shared the sad news that legendary guitarist Jeff Beck had passed away at the age of 78. Beck had contracted bacterial meningitis and died the day before the announcement was made.
The late musician was a member of the English rock band The Yardbirds and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice. He was known for his improvisational style, love of harmonics and the whammy bar on his Fender Stratocaster. Rolling Stone magazine ranked him fifth on its “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” list. He had won eight Grammy Awards and collaborated with many different vocalists.
Beck was born in Surrey, England and attended Wimbledon Art College. As a boy, he constructed his first instrument with a cigar box, a picture frame for the neck, and string from a radio-controlled toy airplane. He was part of several bands, including Nightshift and The Tridents, before joining The Yardbirds in 1965 and then going on to pursue a solo career. He released two records with Rod Stewart, two with a 64-piece orchestra, and has also made various soundtracks for films. His most recent release was “Loud Hailer” in 2016.
The world has lost a unique and talented musician in Jeff Beck. His family has requested privacy during this time of mourning. His music will continue to live on and bring joy to people for years to come.