"On behalf of his family, it is with deep and profound sadness that we share the news of Jeff Beck’s passing," the statement reads. "After suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis, he peacefully passed away yesterday [Tuesday January 10]. His family ask for privacy while they process this tremendous loss."

 

Beck was born in Wallington in southwest London in 1944, and was inspired to pick up the guitar after hearing How High The Moon by Les Paul on the radio.  

 

After playing in a number of local bands, Beck was hired by John Mayall's Bluesbreakers to replace Eric Clapton in 1965. He played guitar on their Roger The Engineer album the following year, but was let go after one too many no-shows on tour. He went on to front The Jeff Beck Group and Beck, Bogert & Appice. 

 

Beck was also a prolific solo artist, releasing albums under his own name in seven decades, the most recent of which was 18, recorded with actor/musician Johnny Depp and released in July 2022. 

 

Over the course of his career Beck become regarded as one of the most innovative and influential guitarists of all time, incorporating elements of blues and jazz into his playing, and developing a characteristic, hard-edged style. He could also shred with the best of them. 

 

He was also a serial collaborator, playing on tracks by Stevie Wonder, Rod Stewart, Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Mick Jagger, Kate Bush, Duff McKagan, ZZ Top, Joe Cocker, Brian May, Pretenders, Roger Waters and Jon Bon Jovi - to name but a few - and he most recently featured on Ozzy Osbourne's Patient Number 9 album, playing on two tracks. 

 

Over the course of his career, Beck won eight Grammy awards.