EXCITING NEWS: TNG WhatsApp Channel is LIVE…
Subscribe for FREE to get LIVE NEWS UPDATE. Click here to subscribe!
English rock legend and guitar virtuoso, Jeff Beck, has died at the age of 78, in a hospital on Tuesday following a battle with meningitis, his management said.
Tributes have described him as an “outstanding iconic, genius guitar player” and a “master”.
Sir Rod Stewart, who sung in the Jeff Beck Group with him, wrote: “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. Thank you for everything. RIP.”
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Beck shot to fame in the 1960s with The Yardbirds playing alongside a young Jimmy Page, later of Led Zeppelin, before carving out a career of his own.
Considered one of the most influential guitarists of his generation, Beck’s screaming solos earned him the moniker “the guitarist’s guitarist”.
But he was best known for the 1967 hit “Hi Ho Silver Lining”, featuring Rod Stewart, which went to number 14 in the UK charts that year.
It was later adapted as a matchday chant by Aston Villa, Wolves and Sheffield Wednesday.
Indicted into Rock’s Hall of Fame twice, Beck’s music career spanned an astonishing 50 years.
Forming The Jeff Beck Group in 1967, the guitarist created an alliance of rock royalty boasting Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood and drum icon Cosy Powell as members.
He would go on to perform with Eric Clapton and blues guitar god Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Beck was so talented that it was rumoured in 2010 he had insured each of his hallowed fingers for £700,000.
In 2015, Rolling Stone placed the virtuoso strummer No.5 on a list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists” to ever live.
And last year, the trailblazing rocker toured the UK with Johnny Depp – releasing the single “Isolation” with the actor.
He was last pictured in October alongside Depp following an appearance on New York’s SiriusXM channel.
Born Geoffrey Arnold Beck in Wallington, Surrey, in 1944, the rock star started singing in school choirs before breaking into the blues scene.
As a teenager, he learned to play on a borrowed guitar and once tried to make his own by bolting a cigar box to a fence post.
He was quickly regarded for his technical skill and versatile playing which would see him explore everything from hard rock to jazz.
Beck married Sandra in 2005 and had lived in Wadhurst, East Sussex, until his death.
‘YOU WERE THE GREATEST, MY MAN’
Rod Stewart wrote online: “Jeff Beck was on another planet. He took me and Ronnie Wood to the USA in the late 60s in his band the Jeff Beck Group and we haven’t looked back since.
“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 . Thank you for everything. RIP.”
Rolling Stones‘ Ronnie Wood said: “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.”
Rock band The Kinks‘ founding member Dave Davies wrote: “I’m heartbroken. He looked in fine shape to me. Playing great he was in great shape. I’m shocked and bewildered.
“Deepest sympathy to his wife friends close ones. I’m bewildered, Jeff Beck, it don’t make sense, I don’t get it. He was a good friend and a great guitar player.”
‘Prince of Darkness‘ Ozzy Osbourne added: “I can’t express how saddened I am to hear of Jeff Beck’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 Jeff Beck.”
Spandau Ballet’s Gary Kemp wrote: “An absolute god of guitar. No one can replace him.
“From rock to soul to jazz he was the greatest player in all genres. Unique. Such awful news but thank you Jeff for all you gave us.”
Black Sabbath, founding member and guitarist Tony Iommi said: “I was totally shocked to hear the very sad news of Jeff Beck’s passing. Jeff was such a nice person and an outstanding iconic, genius guitar player – there will never be another Jeff Beck. His playing was very special & distinctively brilliant! He will be missed.”
Rock band Kiss‘ frontman Paul Stanley added: “WOW. What awful news. Jeff Beck, one of the all time guitar masters has died. From The Yardbirds and The Jeff Beck Group on, he blazed a trail impossible to follow. Play on now and forever.”
Piers Morgan
called him “one of the greatest guitarists in rock history. After suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis, he peacefully passed away yesterday. His family ask for privacy while they process this tremendous loss.”