Tributes pour in to legendary guitarist Jeff Beck, who has died aged 78

Rock icons Rod Stewart, Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton and more paid tribute to Beck, who was often called one of the greatest guitarists to have ever performed.

Tributes have poured in for legendary British guitarist Jeff Beck, who has died aged 78.

Often called one of the most influential and gifted guitar players to have ever performed, Beck rose to prominence as a member of The Yardbirds, replacing Eric Clapton, before he left to form The Jeff Beck Group, which counted Sir Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood among its cohort.

Beck was acclaimed for the innovative ways he used the guitar as an instrument, helping to re-define what guitar music could do and sound like in the 1960s and beyond.

As a solo artist, Beck scored seven UK Top 40 albums in his time on the Official Albums Chart, while he had six entries in the Official Singles Chart Top 40.

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. pic.twitter.com/u8DYQrLNB7
— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) January 11, 2023

His death was confirmed last night on his Twitter account, owing to an infection of bacterial meningitis.

The 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."

Throughout last night and this morning, tributes have poured in from Beck's esteemed peers, with former bandmate and friend Sir Rod Stewart leading the charge.

"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."

Mick Jagger, who performed with Beck many times, added: "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."

Ozzy Osbourne called Beck's death a "terrible loss for his family, friends and many fans. It was such an honour to have known Jeff."

🙏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. 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. pic.twitter.com/UareDAdtZ9
— Ronnie Wood (@ronniewood) January 11, 2023

Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour paid tribute to his "hero", whose music, he said, "thrilled and inspired me and countless others for so many years."

Donny Osmond attached a clip of a performance he did with Beck, saying it helped his solo hit Soldier In Love find success: "I'll always be grateful to Jeff for that opportunity," he said. "RIP."

Ronnie Wood, a former member of the Jeff Beck Group, also paid tribute, saying: "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."

Jon Bon Jovi called Beck, simply, "a legend," while The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson hailed him as a "genius guitar player."

Beck is survived by his wife of nearly 20 years, Sandra.

Article Image: Kiichiro Sato/AP/Shutterstock