Legendary guitarist Jeff Beck, who toured throughout Europe and the United States over the summer and into the fall of 2022, has suddenly passed away due to bacterial meningitis. A statement from his family confirmed his death on his Facebook with the following:
“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.”
Beck was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame twice. Once as a member of The Yardbirds and again as a solo artist. His career kicked off when he replaced Eric Clapton as the Yardbird’s lead guitarist in 1965 and eventually became a solo artist. He’s worked with countless musicians over the years, including, most recently, Ozzy Osbourne’s latest effort, 2022’s Patient Number 9. Beck’s final record was 18, a collaboration with Actor and Hollywood Vampires member Johnny Depp, and the two were promoting the record together throughout the summer. According to Page Six, Beck was surrounded by Depp and other rock stars before his death.
While artists are still processing this horrific news, many tributes have been shared on social media. Here are just a few:
“When I was 16 years old, The Spiders, who became the original Alice Cooper band, opened for the Yardbirds. That night I experienced the greatest guitar player I had ever heard. Half a century later Jeff Beck is still the greatest guitarist, PERIOD…. pic.twitter.com/awwMOXOJDm
— Alice Cooper (@alicecooper) January 12, 2023
Jeff Beck was a genius, a stunning original. He was an astounding guitar player with more ways to make you go, “WTF was that?” than anybody else. He was profoundly talented, and never stopped innovating on the instrument. R.I.P. Jeff.. https://t.co/stKn1RPWIN pic.twitter.com/59INhJ0LzK
— Joe Satriani (@chickenfootjoe) January 12, 2023
1/2
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 . pic.twitter.com/uS7bbWsHgW— Sir Rod Stewart (@rodstewart) January 11, 2023
RIP Jeff Beck
“He was inimitable, irreplaceable – the absolute pinnacle of guitar playing.” – Brian May
“A totally unique and magical talent.” – Roger Taylor pic.twitter.com/PxBNgBiu1Q
— Queen (@QueenWillRock) January 12, 2023
GOD BLESS JEFF BECK • tBLSt SDMF @jeffbeckmusic #jeffbeck pic.twitter.com/F9IowyPNX4
— Zakk Wylde (@ZakkWyldeBLS) January 12, 2023
I met Jeff Beck when I was 17 and I was glad to know a guy like that, a guy who was able to show me how this guitar playing thing should be approached and that’s still very much the case. Jeff was a wondrous soul and we already miss him tremendously.
@jeffbeckmusic #JeffBeck pic.twitter.com/qW8R0b7pCz— Billy F Gibbons (@BillyFGibbons) January 12, 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 just heard the sad news that the great virtuoso guitarist, Jeff Beck, has died.
He was one of my heroes. I was fortunate to meet him recently and I’m very grateful now that I was able to tell him how much I admired his musical skill.
This is the end of an era.
R.I.P
Billy Joel pic.twitter.com/Z5RTEDJcuu— Billy Joel (@billyjoel) January 12, 2023
Shocked to hear of the sudden death of Jeff Beck. Truly one of the greats. First time I saw him was in 1966 with the Yardbirds. Brilliant, unique guitarist. RIP pic.twitter.com/qaeJHGJymM
— Geezer Butler (@geezerbutler) January 11, 2023
Legendary. Rest in peace Jeff Beck.
Photo by David Redfern pic.twitter.com/eBMdBJ9XXB
— Guns N’ Roses (@gunsnroses) January 12, 2023
The loss of our friend Jeff Beck is crushing. All our love and prayers go out to his family, his friends, and his fans around the world. Until we meet again, Jeff. – Team BG pic.twitter.com/579qviqPSc
— Buddy Guy (@TheRealBuddyGuy) January 12, 2023
Jeff Beck was the Salvador Dali of guitar, to see him play was to hear the ultimate 6 string alchemist create magic in a world of its own. With his passing, the world is a poorer place. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to Sandra. We share your sorrow.
Photo by: @RossHalfin pic.twitter.com/dpoCf9q8EO
— Joe Perry (@JoePerry) January 12, 2023
With the death of Jeff Beck we have lost a wonderful man and one of the greatest guitar players in the world. We will all miss him so much. pic.twitter.com/u8DYQrLNB7
— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) January 11, 2023
With Jeff Beck`s passing, a huge and tangible void has been left in the world of music. Thankfully through his profound influence on an astronomical number of musicians, his sweet notes will continue to ring loudly, for generations to come.
— Marty Friedman (@marty_friedman) January 12, 2023
…”but he [Mick] said to me, “I’ve heard that your band is very good.” And he heard that from a number of people, you know, like Doug Wimbish, Kurt Loder, and David Fricke. So he came by CBGBs, and Kurt Loder actually brought him with Jeff Beck to see us play…”#RIPJeffBeck
— Living Colour (@LivingColour) January 12, 2023
Sad news #JeffBeck passed on today …I saw him with Beck Bogart & Appice supporting Lou Reed in the UK in ‘72 RIP …glad I was alive to hear him play….sublime…
— Billy Idol (@BillyIdol) January 12, 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
His technique unique. His imaginations apparently limitless. Jeff I will miss you along with your millions of fans. Jeff Beck Rest in Peace.https://t.co/4h1DfXXmWI
— Jimmy Page (@JimmyPage) January 11, 2023
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. RIP Jeff -Tony pic.twitter.com/i6BGdqTUKU
— Tony Iommi (@tonyiommi) January 11, 2023
We mourn the loss of Jeff Beck, a brilliant musician and friend. Our tours with Jeff were delights from both personal and sonic perspectives. We’re thankful that we were privileged to share so many stages with him over the years and will truly miss his artistry and personality. pic.twitter.com/Dfum1hYG9R
— ZZ Top (@ZZTop) January 12, 2023
Jeff Beck… Legend. pic.twitter.com/unOceSUfSU
— Jon Bon Jovi (@jonbonjovi) January 12, 2023
I was so saddened to hear that Jeff Beck had died. Jeff Beck was a lovely man with a wicked sense of humour who played some of the best guitar music ever to come out of Great Britain. pic.twitter.com/2ggP3Lhpge
— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) January 12, 2023
RIP Jeff Beck. Having trouble processing this. Not only was he a major influence, and his genius an infinite source of joy my entire lifetime, he was in great spirits when we spoke a few weeks ago having done a flawless show with Johnny the night before at the Capitol. Unreal. pic.twitter.com/D9g9mY8cNC
— Stevie Van Zandt☮️ (@StevieVanZandt) January 12, 2023
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. @jeffbeckmusic pic.twitter.com/8LVeq47wxx
— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) January 11, 2023
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. pic.twitter.com/UareDAdtZ9
— Ronnie Wood (@ronniewood) January 11, 2023
We are deeply saddened to hear of Jeff Beck’s passing. He was and always will be an inspiration. Our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and fans. Rest easy, Jeff. Thank you for the music. pic.twitter.com/XiYVFgwoGt
— Gibson (@gibsonguitar) January 11, 2023
A tribute to Jeff Beck from my friend and former Yardbird, Paul Samwell-Smith: “What a genius. We wrote Shapes of Things together and Jeff had a blank 16 bars for a solo. He not only played an extraordinary solo, but changed the nature of guitar playing ever after.” #JeffBeck pic.twitter.com/Zvod9JFd0f
— Yusuf / Cat Stevens (@YusufCatStevens) January 12, 2023
I’m so sad to hear about Jeff Beck passing. Jeff was a genius guitar player, and me and my band got to see it close up when we toured with him in 2013. One of the highlights we did was “Danny Boy” – we both loved that song. Love & Mercy to Jeff’s family. pic.twitter.com/eZFHpHgiKt
— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) January 11, 2023
R.I.P. Jeff Beck, one of true original guitar heroes… Totally groundbreaking & unique. I met him once in Osaka, Japan under some pretty funny circumstances. Safe travels, maestro. #JeffBeck pic.twitter.com/qkQKGh3T3S
— (@Michael_Amott) January 11, 2023
We are saddened to hear of the passing of our dear friend and guitar legend Jeff Beck. Jeff’s incredible musicianship and passion for guitar has been an inspiration to us all. He was a true innovator and his legacy will live on through his music. Rest in peace, Jeff. pic.twitter.com/6kZY1NsgQf
— Hollywood Vampires (@hollywoodvamps) January 12, 2023
My original copy of this record. Back in the day we would write our names on our records because we shared them with friends so often—this way we could have them returned. This record was one of the most important in my musical life. Jeff Beck. Thank you, Sir. Rest in Peace✌️ pic.twitter.com/URaj2CrtT8
— Billy Sheehan (@BillyonBass) January 12, 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
It is a sad day that we have again lost another great guitarist.Jeff Beck was one of the few guitarist in the world that played with his fingers instead of a pick on his right hand. He was brilliant and I have loved him since his days in the Yardbirds. He will be greatly missed. pic.twitter.com/H3km6pnVKw
— DOKKEN (@Dokken) January 11, 2023
Oh, My Heart…RIP, Jeff…I miss you already…
Jeff Beck, Guitar Virtuoso and Blues-Rock Innovator, Dead at 78 – Rolling Stone https://t.co/oJ2O1vqbDk
— David Coverdale (@davidcoverdale) January 11, 2023
The greatest thing about Jeff Beck is that he was NOT hung up on how GREAT he was. In this way there was always space for him to grow.
About the size of a garage.— Vernon Reid (@vurnt22) January 12, 2023
RIP @jeffbeckmusic
“The loss of Jeff Beck is a crushing blow to the music & guitar community. He had a profound impact on myself as a musician. On behalf of myself and SKID ROW we thank you Jeff Beck. Godspeed.” –@ScottiHill pic.twitter.com/DlFtusOtvN— Skid Row (@OfficialSkidRow) January 12, 2023
Our thoughts are with Beck’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.
