According to a statement posted on his official social media accounts, the legendary rock musician Jeff Beck dies at the age of 78. Beck contracted bacterial meningitis which came on really quickly and deteriorated rapidly in the last couple of weeks, a source shared.
“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.”
To many, Jeff Beck was regarded as the greatest rock guitarist of all time. He was the one responsible for revolutionizing the way musicians played guitar.
Beck became wildly popular in the 1960s when he replaced Eric Clapton in the Yardbirds. After a year, he left the band and started his own group, The Jeff Beck Group. He was then ranked fifth in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time”.
In 1992, Beck was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Yardbirds and once again in 2009 as a solo artist. He was an eight-time Grammy winner, with a total of 17 nominations, in which his first career Grammy was for Best Rock Instrumental Performance for ‘Escape’ in 1985. He won in this category five more times in his career.
When Beck was recognized by Rolling Stones as a musician, Heartbreakers’ guitarist Mike Campbell shared a statement saying Beck has a combination of brilliant technique and personality. Campbell added that Beck had a melodic tone that is bright, urgent, edgy, and sweet. Beck was a serious player who doesn’t hold back, according to him.
According to a source, actor and musician Johnny Depp was by Beck’s bedside along with other rock stars before he passed away. Right now, the said actor is reportedly mourning and still processing the news.
The source added that the two had a really tight friendship and were extremely close. They became even closer when they were touring last year after recording together a cover album called 18. The duo also released an official music video for the first album single “This Is a Song for Miss Hedy Lamarr”.
As they were making music together, Depp shared a sentiment and said that it was an extraordinary honor that he gets to play and write music with Beck. He also stated that he is privileged enough to call him brother. At the time, Beck also shared his sentiments about Depp and said that he hasn’t had another creative partner like him for ages.
Rod Stewart, the lead vocalist of The Jeff Beck Group, wrote on Twitter that Beck was one of the few guitarists that would actually listen to him sing when they were playing live.
Ronnie Wood, the bass guitarist of the band, also wrote on Twitter that he’s going to miss Beck dearly.
Gene Simmons, the co-lead singer and bassist of Kiss band, wrote on Twitter that no one played guitar like Beck.
May the rock and roll legend rest in peace. Feel free to share this news with anyone who might know of Jeff Beck and is a fan of his music.