Artists Who Changed Music: Jeff Beck

Jeff Beck has been called “the greatest living rock guitarist.” He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, in 1992 as part of The Yardbirds, and in 2009 as a solo artist. Jeff Beck has won eight Grammy Awards in his career, three of them in 2010. He has released fifteen albums as a solo artist, and has performed with many of the world’s top artists. Both Pink Floyd and The Rolling Stones at one point wanted him as a band member.

Rolling Stone magazine called Beck “one of the most influential lead guitarists in rock,” who has “helped shape blues, rock, psychedelia and heavy metal.” Hundreds of great players have name-checked Beck as major influence. In fact, it’s hard to find a top guitar player who is not influenced by Beck. His looks are even said to have been the blueprint for the Nigel Tufnell character in This Is Spinal Tap.

Given all the above, one would expect Jeff Beck to be a household name, on par with other guitar heroes like Jimi Hendrix, Keith Richards, and his erstwhile Yardbird colleagues Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page. In fact, Clapton, Page and Beck are regarded as the big three legends of British rock guitar, sometimes called “the holy triumvirate.” But despite this, Beck has always been less in the public eye than his esteemed colleagues.

The reasons for this are many. Jeff Beck is not a prolific song writer or singer, and other than The Yardbirds has never been a member of a house-hold-name band. He also has shifted genres several times during a career that sometimes followed a bewildering zig-zag course. On top, several health issues, as well as his love of Hot Rods, with him doing the car mechanic work himself, led to him repeatedly taking time out from music. This has made his career not only zig-zag but also stop-start.

But perhaps the overriding reason why Beck is the lesser known of the super-guitarists is that his playing often is more abstract, harder to grasp, and defying expectations. Though he possesses sumptuous technique, he never uses flash guitar wizardry to impresses. Instead every note he plays matters, and his playing is about feel and expression, about playing the right notes in the right way at the right moment with the right sound.

Often Beck’s playing barely sounds like a guitar, and perhaps because he rarely sings, he uses the guitar as a substitute, making it sound like a voice. It is the spirit, the feel, the spontaneity, the creativity of his playing, the capacity to go beyond what’s considered possible on the guitar, that’s the biggest influence on other players, and why he is often called “the guitarist’s guitarist.

Until covid came along, Beck’s live performances were jaw-dropping excursions into the outer limits of guitar playing. Today, coming up for his 77th birthday, Jeff Beck is working with Johnny Depp on a recording project, and continues to be one of the most innovative and instantly recognizable guitarists alive. New releases and his return to the live stage are eagerly awaited.

Paul Tingen

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[Producelikeapro]

Absolutely dreadful news. Jeff Beck has died at the age of 78, I feel so blessed to have met him and jammed with him. What a huge talent, so influential on every guitar player I've ever met! R.I.P. Jeff Beck 1944 – 2023

[leslieperry]

As a lifetime Jeff Beck fan; This is one of the most intelligent dissection and examination of one of the greatest guitarists of all time .

[johnny.musician]

Oh my, I didn’t think I’d cry, but I am. Rest In Peace and a massive thanks, Jeff.

[robybennett]

Jeff has been bringing me to tears since I was a 15 year old working out the solo and rhythm swells in “Shapes of Things”, and on and on… I am 73 with arthritis and tinnitus but my train keeps a’rollin. He’s my first and most likely final guitar hero. I still choke up when he does his breathtakingly beautiful harmonic bends and melodies. Thank you for this episode. You are right on.

[marcotulliopenovi]

When a man dies, a legend is born, but Jeff was already a legend when he was alive

[MrRobmull]

The great man has passed away, I can’t believe it. Devastated. Rest in Peace Jeff, you were the greatest 😔🎸🙏🏻

[GreenDistantStar]

Toured with SRV. I first saw him in 1976 with Jan Hammer, and in 2009 with his own band. He evolved, most of his contemporaries didn't, he is simply a genius.

[musicmaste]

I saw him a couple of times and everytime after a few notes I have tears in my eyes and I ask myself: how is this possible? He really speaks to me via his guitar. So for me he's the greatest without any doubt.

[TimDowdican]

I met Jeff Beck in Manhattan after his show i followed his limousine it pulled over I ran over to him he was drinking a heiken I got his autograph he was so cool 😎!RIP Jeff 🙏 😢

[christianthompson]

Ever since I heard Beck and SRV live on their "Fire Meets Fury" tour (Nov. 29th, 1989 at Denvers' McNichols Arena from the the 15th row ) I thought, next to Hendrix this is "the God of Guitar"! And I've never looked back. I have spent that last 32 years absorbing as much Beck as possible. He's a true Living Legend! And one of the most down-to-earth, bare-bones, authentic and sweet souls on the planet.

[kevinbannister]

Looking back Jeff Beck has influenced my own guitar playing more than I even realized. RIP Mr. Jeff Beck.

[robgutkowski]

This is probably the best overview of Jeff Beck which has been made. I'm so glad you were able to be intimidated by him in person and thanks for sharing that story. RIP Jeff Beck.

[cobowe]

I’ve seen J Beck 5 times
I’ve seen him so eclectic that half the audience got up and left!
The guy is awesome, he is not just a collection of Riffs and tricks he is “musically switched on” and he respects all who play with him...
“God bless the Guvnor”

[tonykennedy]

Every guitarist I enjoy and respect rate Jeff as being one of the greatest
That says everything

[gewijdebehaeghel]

I've been listening to Jeff Beck's music for 45 years or more. He's my favourite guitar player by far and can't believe he's no more. A great loss. The news of his passing totally crushed me.

[TomCawoski]

Jeff Beck's Blow by Blow is a masterpiece IMHO. I've played that album countless times over the years. He plays "Cause We've Ended As Lovers" with such emotion and power, he's making that guitar cry. None of the shredding flash speed that people seam to be impressed by in his playing but he plays so melodic that you don't even need a vocalist or even lyrics to express how he must have felt at the time when he recorded that song. I loved your story of "trying" to play that song with him sitting right in front of you. You must of soiled your pants... lol.. Anyway, I'm really surprised you've waited this long before featuring him. Thanks for sharing.

[DiscordantVice]

RIP Jeff.
Since hearing the sad news I’ve been watching a lot on YouTube.
Sadly I never paid him enough attention in life, I obviously knew he was incredibly highly regarded by guitarists but just hadn’t got round to listening to him enough.
Your film was great and informative, thank you.

[angusmacangus]

Jeff was my favorite guitarist from the British wave. Blow by Blow was so incredible to me I wore the vinyl out as a teenager. From then on I had to discover all his older material. Just great. We lost a human treasure. Rest in Peace, Jeff, thanks for the music!

[tranquilitybase]

RIP Jeff. He’s in my top 10 favorite desert-island guitarists. So identifiable. Godspeed!

[edhouck]

Wonderfully done. It's hard to say anyone is the best, but Beck is on another plane, his own.