The music world has lost a legend.
I can’t help but feel like 2022 was a devastating year in the music world, losing the like of music icons like Loretta Lynn, Jerry Lee Lewis, Anita Pointer, Olivia Newton-John, Naomi Judd, Coolio, Taylor Hawkins, Meat Loaf, and many others.
And unfortunately, 2023 is picking up where 2022 left off.
English guitar player and music legend Jeff Beck has passed away yesterday… at the age of 78.
His family revealed that he passed away suddenly after contracting bacterial meningitis:
“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.”
Regarded as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, Jeff was prominently known for his work in the Yardbirds, a band that also featured guitar gods Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton.
Beck joined the band after Clapton’s departure, at the suggestion of Jimmy Page, who would later go on to be a founding member of Led Zeppelin. Jimmy briefly played bass alongside Beck, however, following Beck’s own departure from the band, he ended up taking lead guitar duties as well.
Beck would later go on to front the Jeff Beck Group as well as Beck, Bogert & Appice.
He was an eight-time Grammy winner, and member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, both as a solo artist and as a member of the Yardbirds.
Playing everything from rock to blues, hard rock, jazz fusion, electronica, and more, Beck was as versatile as they come, a true pioneer of the guitar world.
RIP.
A number of fellow musicians took to Twitter to share their condolences:
