Died from bacterial meningitis at 78. Seems like he just finished that tour with Johnny Depp and then this happens. Incredibly gifted guitarist who did what no one else could with the volume knob and whammy bar as part of his unique playing style. RIP I bought a Fender Stratocaster with a tremolo to where I adjusted the tension screws for the tremolo to go up a full step when pulling up and a full step down when pushing in on the whammy bar. That way...I could try to play "Over The Rainbow" like Jeff does. And, I was able to do it albeit not nearly as well as him. I will play that for him tonight in remembrance along with his video of him playing it. And, I'll probably cry after.
Best rock guitarist of all time. Maybe not as influential as Jimi, EVH, Berry, Clapton, but the sum of his technigue, overall skill and emotional expression was just mind-boggling. The ultimate restless artist who never stopped getting better, even in his 70s. This is the guy all the other greats looked up to. RIP, Maestro.
I'm devastated. I first saw Jeff with The Jeff Beck Group at the Catacombs Club in Houston on either Friday the 12th or Saturday the 13th of July, 1968. I can't remember which night. They were touring for the LP Truth. Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood on bass, and Micky Waller playing drums. A brilliant night. I've always said that Jimi Hendrix was the best guitar player I ever saw perform, but Jeff Beck was a close second. What a loss.
definitely the most underrated 60's british invasion guitarist and arguably the best... this was the first single after he replaced clapton in the yardbirds...shut the doubters up pretty quick.
He was an absolute legend - right there with Hendrix, Page, Clapton, and EVH in the top 5 guitarists ever. It still blows my mind that the Yardbirds had 3 of those 5 in their band (never at the same time of course). His guitar playing was so exquisite and tasty - just listen to “Cause We’ve Ended as Lovers” off the Blow by Blow album (track written by his good friend Stevie Wonder) and you will see why his passing is such a tremendous loss.
One of the greats. An incredible musician who while not getting the popular acclaim was greatly admired by other guitarists.
What a loss, indeed. So sudden, so saddening. Roy Buchanan's reciprocal tribute to Jeff (Cause We've Ended As Lovers was for Roy)
If anyone wants to get an idea of how amazing Jeff was, short of seeing him play, watching Live at Ronnie Scott’s is a fantastic intro. I would have shelled out a lot to have had the chance to be there.
