‘Tremendous loss’: Rock legend dead at 78

‘Tremendous loss’: Rock legend dead at 78

Rock legend Jeff Beck has died on the age of 78.

The music star handed away in hospital on Tuesday following a battle with meningitis, his administration stated.

Beck shot to fame within the Sixties with The Yardbirds taking part in alongside a younger Jimmy Page, later of Led Zeppelin, earlier than carving out a profession of his personal.

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

But he was greatest recognized for the 1967 hit Hi Ho Silver Lining, that includes Rod Stewart, that went to quantity 14 within the UK charts that yr.

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

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 carry out with Eric Clapton and blues guitar god Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Beck was so gifted that it was rumoured in 2010 he had insured every of his hallowed fingers for $1.2m.

In 2015, Rolling Stone positioned the virtuoso strummer No. 5 on a listing of the “100 Greatest Guitarists” to ever stay.

And final yr, the trailblazing rocker toured the UK with Johnny Depp – releasing the only Isolation with the actor.

He was final pictured in October alongside Depp following an look on New York’s SiriusXM channel.

Born Geoffrey Arnold Beck in Wallington, Surrey, in 1944, the rock star began singing at school choirs earlier than breaking into the blues scene.

As an adolescent he discovered to play on a borrowed guitar and as soon as tried to make his personal by bolting a cigar field to a fence submit.

He was shortly regarded for his technical ability and versatile taking part in which might see him discover every little thing from laborious rock to jazz.

Beck married Sandra in 2005 and had lived in Wadhurst, East Sussex, till his dying.

Beck’s agent stated: “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.”

This story initially appeared on The Sun and is republished right here with permission.