Jeff Beck, a rock guitar giant who helped shape the psychedelic sound as a member of the Yardbirds and beyond, has died. He was 78.
Beck’s work with the hitmaking British ravers included the vastly influential single “Happenings Ten Years Time Ago,” often cited as one of the first (and best) psychedelic songs.
“On behalf of his family, it is with deep and profound sadness that we share the news of Jeff Beck’s passing,” a statement from the family said Jan. 11. “After suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis, he peacefully passed away yesterday.”
The Jeff Beck Group of the late 1960s introduced the world to vocalist Rod Stewart, and resurfaced in the 1970s with a different lineup and a rock-soul-jazz sound.
Beck then continued his career as a popular and prolific solo artist. The jazz-fusion-inspired instrumental albums “Blow By Blow” and “Wired” were major successes for the guitarist in the mid-1970s. Beck later said he wish he’d stayed with rock.
Beck won eight Grammys and was a two-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Beck toured most recently with the actor-musician Johnny Depp.
Beck joined the Yardbirds in 1965 as a replacement for Eric Clapton. His guitar work drove the band’s classics “Shapes of Things” and “Over Under Sideways Down.” He incorporated Eastern influences, feedback and distortion into startling new guitar sounds. His imitation of a sitar on the hit “Heart Full of Soul” has been cited as one of the earliest appearances of “raga rock.”
The single “Happenings Ten Years Time Ago” and the album known as “Roger the Engineer” found the group exploring what would become known as psychedelic rock.
“Happenings Ten Years Time Ago” featured the heavy guitar work of both Beck and (group bassist) Jimmy Page. It anticipated acid rock, punk and heavy metal. The song ranks No. 10 on this web site’s list of top psychedelic songs.
Beck, widely considered one of the greatest guitarists in rock, was known as a difficult bandmate. (He was fired by the Yardbirds in 1966.) He had numerous health issues over the years, including tinnitus.
Beck cited Les Paul as a primary influence. He usually played a Fender Stratocaster, in later years without a pick. Beck rarely sang professionally. He loved guitar electronics and hot rods.
While known for his rough-and-ready rock guitar, Beck’s playing had an elegant side. Concert goers might be treated to his version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” or “Danny Boy” or the silky “Sleep Walk.” He said he wanted his music “to delight people with chaos and beauty at the same time.”
He collaborated with some of the top names in music, including Brian Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Cyndi Lauper, Wynonna Judd, Luciano Pavarotti, Ozzy Osbourne and Keith Moon. He played in the power trio Beck, Bogert and Appice with former members of Vanilla Fudge.
His reunion single with Rod Stewart, a cover of “People Get Ready,” was a popular song and video of the mid-1980s. “He was one of the few guitarists that when playing live would actually listen to me sing and respond,” Stewart tweeted after hearing of the death.
“I feel like one of my band of brothers has left this world, and I’m going to dearly miss him,” tweeted Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones, who also played in Beck’s 1960s group.
Mick Jagger added: “We have lost a wonderful man and one of the greatest guitar players in the world.”
Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour called him “my friend and hero … whose music has thrilled and inspired me and countless others for so many years.”
Beck was born in South London on June 24, 1944. He died Jan. 10, 2023. He is survived by his wife, Sandy.