How did Jeff Beck die? Legendary rock guitarist, 78, was inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice
Jeff Beck, the legendary guitarist, who pushed the boundaries of rock 'n' roll, and other forms of music, while inspiring generations, died at the age of 78. Beck’s family confirmed the guitar god's death on Wednesday, January, 11 a day after his death.
“On behalf of his family, it is with deep and profound sadness that we share the news of Jeff Beck’s passing,” Beck’s family said in a statement, which was also shared on his Instagram handle. Beck died after "suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis", and the statement further read that he "peacefully passed away yesterday." His family asks for privacy while they process this "tremendous loss," the statement added.
READ MORE
Keith Levene: Legendary guitarist and The Clash co-founder dies at 65
Legendary musician Nik Turner of Hawkwind band dies at 82
Beck, an eight-time Grammy nominee, was twice inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, both as a member of the Yardbirds as well as for his work with his own Jeff Beck Group, as per Rolling Stone. Beck rose to prominence as a member of the Yardbirds before embarking on a solo career that included hard rock, jazz, funky blues, and even opera. He was well-known for his improvising, love of harmonics, and use of the whammy bar on his favorite guitar, the Fender Stratocaster, the AP noted. The British musician had recently toured with Johnny Depp in October last year.
"During the 1960s and ’70s, either as a member of the Yardbirds or as leader of his own bands, Beck brought a sense of adventure to his playing that helped make the recordings by those groups groundbreaking," the New York Times said. Jeff once said in 2009, "I play the way I do because it allows me to come up with the sickest sounds possible." "That's the point now, isn't it? I don't care about the rules. In fact, if I don't break the rules at least 10 times in every song, then I'm not doing my job properly."
The band's 1968 debut, 'Truth', with little-known singers, Rod Stewart and Ron Wood, created the early template for heavy metal, it noted. In 1974, Beck began his solo career with the 'Blow by Blow' album. The New York Times wrote, "Beck could weaponize his strings to hit like a stun gun or caress them to express what felt like a kiss. His work had humor too, with licks that could cackle and leads that could tease."
