Jeff Beck has left for the heavenly abode. The British rock guitarist who was one of the most talented and unpredictable of 60s guitar heroes has died. The brilliant musician passed away at the age of 78 on January 10, 2023, Tuesday.
The heartbreaking news of Jeff’s death was confirmed by his representative. Keep scrolling further to know the cause behind the death of the legendary guitarist Jeff Beck.
What was the reason behind the death of Jeff Beck?
According to Variety, Jeff’s representative issued a statement to confirm the death news of the guitar master of the rock era that read, “On behalf of his family, it is with deep and profound sadness that we share the news of Jeff Beck’s passing.”
The statement further read, “After suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis, he peacefully passed away yesterday. His family ask for privacy while they process this tremendous loss.”
Not long ago, Beck completed a tour in support of his collaborative album with the Pirates of the Caribbean star Johnny Depp ’18’. He even bagged a total of seven Grammy for instrumental performances, and an eighth for his 2009 work on Herbie Hancock’s The Imagine Project.
Here’s all you need to know about Jeff Beck’s early life
The full name of Jeff is Geoffrey Arnold Beck. He was an English rock guitarist who shot to fame with the Yardbirds. Soon after he led the rock bands the Jeff Beck Group and Beck, Bogert & Appice.
Beck was born on June 24, 1944 to Arnold and Ethel Beck at 206 Demesne Road, Wallington, London. When he was 10 years old, he used to sing in a church choir. Back in the day, he went to Sutton Manor School and later on, he attended Sutton East County Secondary Modern School.
In a media interaction, Jeff stated that Les Paul was the first electric guitar player who impressed him. He went on to say that he first heard an electric guitar when he was six years old and heard Paul playing “How High the Moon” on the radio.
Then, Beck asked his mom what it was. She responded it was an electric guitar and he said, “That’s for me”. He considered Lonnie Mack “a rock guitarist [who] was unjustly overlooked [and] a major influence on him and many others.
When did Jeff Beck step into the world of music?
Right from a young age, Jeff was inclined towards the world of music. He was recruited by the British rock band The Yardbirds in March 1965 as a replacement for Eric Clapton. The band dropped some of their hit songs Heart Full of Soul, and Over, Under, Sideways, Down around the same time.
Jeff’s first album titled Truth saw the light of day after leaving the band. The album landed in the Top 15 and went gold in the U.S. From there on, he didn’t look and the rest is history.
Beck is survived by his second wife Sandra Cash whom he married in the year 2005.
Our love and prayers go out to the close friends and the entire family of Jeff Beck during this tragic time. Don’t forget to stay tuned with us for the latest updates from the world of showbiz.
