According to a statement posted to his social media channels, the guitar virtuoso passed away peacefully on January 10 "after suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis." The full statement reads:
"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."
In July, Beck released '18', a collaborative covers album with actor, musician and his longtime friend Johnny Depp, who penned two original tracks for the record. The pair toured Europe in the summer in support of it.
Beck cut his teeth with the Yardbirds in the '60s, going on to form the Jeff Beck Group in 1967 with a young Ronnie Wood and Rod Stewart. The band also played sessions with Jimmy Page on rhythm guitar, John Paul Jones on bass, Keith Moon on drums, and Nicky Hopkins on piano.
In the early '70s, Beck moved on to form Beck, Bogert & Appice with bassist Tim Bogert and drummer Carmine Appice. They put out one self-titled studio album in 1973.
Beck is regarded by many as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, and is credited with having paved the way for genres such as heavy metal, with his material incorporating numerous subgenres of rock and jazz throughout his career.
He has collaborated with some of the biggest artists in the world, having played on records for acts such as Robert Plant, and having his 1985 album 'Flash' produced by Nile Rodgers. He put out more than 10 solo LPs, releasing a record in every decade since the '60s.
Beck has won several Grammy Awards over the years, including Best Pop Instrumental Performance in 1976 and 2010, Best Rock Instrumental Performance in 1985, 1989, 2001, 2003, 2009 and 2010, and Best Pop Collaboration with vocals in 2010.
He was awarded the Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music in 2014, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame twice, firstly as a member of the Yardbirds in 1992 and later as a solo artist in 2009.
Since the news of Beck's passing was announced, there has been an outpouring of tributes from the music community, including posts from Rod Stewart, Depp's band the Hollywood Vampires, and Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page, to name a few.
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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 . pic.twitter.com/uS7bbWsHgW
We are saddened to hear of the passing of our dear friend and guitar legend Jeff Beck. Jeff's incredible musicianship and passion for guitar has been an inspiration to us all. He was a true innovator and his legacy will live on through his music. Rest in peace, Jeff. pic.twitter.com/6kZY1NsgQf
The six stringed Warrior is no longer here for us to admire the spell he could weave around our mortal emotions. Jeff could channel music from the ethereal.
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