Jeff Beck, one of the master guitar players of the ’60s and ’70s, has died. On Twitter, @jeffbeckmusic broke the sad news by releasing a statement that explained, “On behalf of his family, it is with deep and profound sadness that we share the news of Jeff Beck’s passing.” According to the statement, the cause of death was bacterial meningitis. Beck “peacefully passed away” on Tuesday January 10, 2023.
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. pic.twitter.com/4dvt5aGzlv
— Jeff Beck (@jeffbeckmusic) January 11, 2023
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, bacterial meningitis can occur suddenly and can get worse quickly. Symptoms include confusion or sleepiness, stiff neck, headaches, high fever, light sensitivity, a rash and bruising. It is treated with antibiotics, but it’s crucial that treatment starts quickly since it worsens rapidly, and, like in the case of Beck, can be fatal.
Beck was 78 years old. He is survived by his wife, Sandra Cash Beck. They had been married since 2005.
When Beck was a teen growing up in the U.K., he learned to play the guitar on a guitar he made as his best imitation of the guitars made by Les Paul. In 1965, he replaced Eric Clapton in the band the Yardbirds when Clapton decided to launch a solo career. Eventually, Beck left the Yardbirds to form his own group, the Jeff Beck Group.
Beck won eight Grammy awards. He also ended up being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame two times. The first time was in 1992 when he was inducted as a member of the Yardbirds. Then, in 2009, he was inducted as a solo performer.
Beck was described By Rolling Stone as “one of the most influential lead guitarists in rock” and also considered by the magazine to be one of the top five guitarists of all time.
Let’s remember Beck as the great guitarist he was by watching him perform at Madison Square Garden in 2013.
[Image credit: Flickr]