Jeff Beck death — Rod Stewart and Mick Jagger lead tributes as 'one of the greatest' British guitarist dies aged 78 | The Sun

MUSIC ROYALTY have come out to pay tribute as musician and songwriter Jeff Beck has died aged 78 after battling meningitis.

Legendary rock hero Jeff Beck – who rose to stardom with 1960s supergroup the Yardbirds and had a prolific solo career – died on Tuesday following a statement said.

The statement on his website reads: "On behalf of his family, it is with deep and profound sadness that we share the news of Jeff Beck's passing."

Music legends have taken to social media, paying tribute to "one of the greatest" guitarists including Sir Rod Stewart and Sir Mick Jagger.

The Rolling Stones front man wrote: "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.

Read our Jeff Beck live blog below for the latest updates…

  • Carsen Holaday

    Beach Boys co-founder sends condolences

    Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys took to Twitter to share: "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," the musician concluded.

  • Carsen Holaday

    Rod Stewart: 'He was on another planet'

    In an Instagram post remembering his former bandmate, singer Rod Stewart said: "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.

    "He was one of the few guitarists that when playing live would actually listen to me sing and respond.

    "Jeff, you were the greatest, my man . Thank you for everything. RIP."

  • Carsen Holaday

    Mick Jagger pays tribute

    Rockstar Mick Jagger wrote: "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."

  • Carsen Holaday

    Beck was an acclaimed guitarist

    Over his career, which spanned over 50 years, Jeff Beck won eight Grammy awards.

    The guitarist was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice – once in 1992 with the Yardbirds, and again as a solo artist in 2009.

  • Carsen Holaday

    Pink Floyd guitarist remembers 'friend and hero'

    Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour tweeted a heartbreaking tribute to Jeff Beck and added a picture of the pair together.

    "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," Gilmour wrote.

    "Polly‘s and my thoughts go out to his lovely wife Sandra.

    "He will be forever in our hearts."

  • Carsen Holaday

    Beck liked 'chaos' in his music

    In 2014, Jeff Beck told Guitar World that he liked an "element of chaos in music."

    "That feeling is the best thing ever, as long as you don’t have too much of it," the guitarist told the outlet.

    "It’s got to be in balance. I just saw Cirque du Soleil, and it struck me as complete organised chaos.

    “If I could turn that into music, it’s not far away from what my ultimate goal would be, which is to delight people with chaos and beauty at the same time.”

    Jeff Beck, here playing guitar onstage at the Granada Theater in Chicago, aimed to 'delight people with chaos and beauty'Credit: Getty
  • Carsen Holaday

    Paul Young remembers 'the guitarist's guitarist'

    Singer Paul Young remembered Jeff Beck in a tweet, writing that he's "devastated to hear of the sudden and tragic death of legendary guitarist Jeff Beck."

    "He was loved by everyone in the know."

    The musician concluded by calling Beck "the guitarist's guitarist!"

  • Carsen Holaday

    First hit single was in 1967

    Jeff Beck's first hit single was an instrumental called Beck's Bolero, released in 1967.

    The song featured future Led Zeppelin members Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, as well as future Who drummer Keith Moon.

  • Carsen Holaday

    Kiss frontman remembers rocker

    Rock band Kiss's frontman Paul Stanley said: "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."

  • Carsen Holaday

    Beck recently collaborated with Ozzy Osbourne

    Jeff Beck appeared on Ozzy Osbourne's 13th solo album, Patient Number 9 – which came out in September 2022.

    Ozzy spoke about the stellar lineup for his album, saying: “I’ve never been someone who has guests on albums.

    “You can’t reproduce what they do when you’re playing live but I’m blown away by those people on my record.”

    About Beck's solo, he said: "When the Jeff Beck song came together, his solo wouldn’t get out of my head."

  • Carsen Holaday

    Piers Morgan pays tribute

    British broadcaster Piers Morgan took to Twitter to pay his respects to Jeff Beck, complete with a picture of the legendary guitarist.

    "One of the greatest guitarists in rock history," Morgan wrote.

  • Carsen Holaday

    'God of guitar'

    Spandau Ballet's Gary Kemp wrote: "An absolute god of guitar. No one can replace him.

    "From rock to soul to jazz he was the greatest player in all genres. Unique.

    "Such awful news but thank you Jeff for all you gave us."

  • Carsen Holaday

    Jeff Beck didn't have children

    During his life, the guitarist didn't have any children.

    It's also reported that his wife Sandra Cash didn't have any kids when she met her husband.

    During their time together, the couple was very private about their relationship.

  • Carsen Holaday

    Beck was married twice

    Jeff Beck's first wife was Patricia Brown, whom he was married to for four years from 1963 to 1967.

    Before he met his second wife Sandra, Jeff enjoyed romances with a string of beauties.

    This included Wendy Moore, Heather Daltrey, and Celia Hammond.

  • Carsen Holaday

    Who is Jeff Beck's wife Sandra Cash?

    Unlike her famous husband Jeff Beck, Sandra Cash was not in the entertainment industry.

    She likes to keep herself out of the spotlight but we do know the couple met in 2004, when he was 60 and she was 40.

    Then went on to marry in 2005 surrounded by Jeff's famous friends, including Sir Paul McCartney.

    They are understood to have lived together in Wadhurst, East Sussex until his death.

  • Carsen Holaday

    Ronnie Wood speaks out

    Rolling Stones' Ronnie Wood, who was a member of the Jeff Beck Group, released a statement regarding Beck's death.

    "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," the musician said.

    "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."

  • Carsen Holaday

    Beck toured with Johnny Depp last year

    Just last year, the trailblazing rocker toured the UK with actor Johnny Depp – releasing the single "Isolation" with the celebrity.

    He was last pictured in October alongside Depp following an appearance on New York's SiriusXM channel.

    Jeff Beck and Johnny Depp attend SiriusXM’s Town Hall to promote their new albumCredit: Getty
  • Carsen Holaday

    Gene Simmons remembers guitarist

    Kiss's Gene Simmons paid tribute to Jeff Beck and encouraged fans to "behold greatness."

    "Heartbreaking news to report the late, great Jeff Back has sadly passed," the rocker tweeted.

    "No one played guitar like Jeff.

    "Please get ahold of the first two Jeff Beck Group albums and behold greatness. RIP."

  • Carsen Holaday

    Beck's agent announced death

    Jeff Beck's agent announced his death, writing: "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."

  • Carsen Holaday

    Black Sabbath founder pays tribute

    Black Sabbath founding member and guitarist Tony Iommi said: "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."

  • Carsen Holaday

    Jeff Beck started as a choir boy

    Born Geoffrey Arnold Beck in Wallington, Surrey, in 1944, the rock star started singing in school choirs before breaking into the blues scene.

    As a teenager he learned to play on a borrowed guitar and once tried to make his own by bolting a cigar box to a fence post.

    He was quickly regarded for his technical skill and versatile playing which would see him explore everything from hard rock to jazz.

  • Carsen Holaday

    Beck was surrounded by rockstars

    Forming The Jeff Beck Group in 1967, the guitarist created an alliance of rock royalty boasting Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood and drum icon Cosy Powell as members.

    He would go on to perform with Eric Clapton and blues guitar god Stevie Ray Vaughan.

    And last year, the trailblazing rocker toured the UK with Johnny Depp – releasing the single "Isolation" with the actor.

  • Carsen Holaday

    Legendary guitarist was best known for Hi Ho Silver Lining

    Considered one of the most influential guitarists of his generation, Beck’s screaming solos earned him the moniker “the guitarist’s guitarist”.

    But he was best known for the 1967 hit “Hi Ho Silver Lining”, featuring Rod Stewart, that went to number 14 in the UK charts that year.

    It was later adapted as a matchday chant by Aston Villa, Wolves and Sheffield Wednesday.

  • Carsen Holaday

    Career spanned 50 years

    Indicted into Rock's Hall of Fame twice, Beck's music career spanned an astonishing 50 years.

    Beck was so talented that it was rumoured in 2010 he had insured each of his hallowed fingers for £700,000.

    In 2015, Rolling Stone placed the virtuoso strummer No.5 on a list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists" to ever live.

  • Carsen Holaday

    Meningitis explained

    Jeff Beck's management reported that he passed away following a battle with meningitis.

    Meningitis is usually caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi that invade the body and cause the protective lining around the brain and spinal cord to swell up.

    It is usually caught from people who carry these viruses or bacteria in their nose or throat but are not ill themselves.

    It can be spread through sneezing, coughing, kissing and sharing utensils, cutlery and toothbrushes.

    Anyone can get meningitis but it’s more common in babies and young children, teenagers and young adults, elderly people and those with a weak immune system, such as those having chemotherapy.

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