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Jeff Beck, one of the greatest to ever plug in and turn up, died Tuesday after a brief illness, his family confirmed today (Wednesday, January 11).
Jeff was a boundary-pushing rock musician and one of the most important and innovative players in the history of the electric guitar. He was beloved for his work with The Yardbirds, his Jeff Beck Group (which featured a young Rod Stewart), his solo career and numerous collaborations through the decades.
According to his family, Jeff passed suddenly but peacefully this week after contracting bacterial meningitis.
Given Jeff's luminary status in rock, tributes quickly poured onto social media from across the music world from Jeff's many collaborators, friends and fans.
Led Zeppelin cofounder Jimmy Page, who was Jeff's one-time bandmate in the Yardbirds and a longtime friend, wrote that Jeff's creativity was transcendent. (Beck personally gifted Page the guitar he used on Led Zeppelin's debut album.)
Ozzy Osbourne, who collaborated with Jeff on the title track for his latest album, Patient Number 9, called Jeff's passing a "terrible loss" and wrote that it was "an incredible honor" to have worked with him.
Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi added that Jeff was everything he was cracked up to be as a musician, but also a "such a nice person."
Black Sabbath's Geezer Butler called Jeff "Truly one of the greats," recalling seeing him play live for the first time back in 1966.
The Kinks' Dave Davies said he was "devastated" upon hearing the news.
Pink Floyd's David Gilmour called Jeff a "friend and hero" whose music was a longtime source of inspiration.
KISS's Paul Stanley wrote the Jeff was indeed "one of the all time guitar masters."
Guns N' Roses' Duff McKagan issued a personal message, calling Jeff a "DECENT and special man."
Mick Jagger remembered Jeff as a "wonderful man and one of the greatest guitar players in the world."
Rod Stewart, who famously reunited with Jeff in 2019 to celebrate their work together, thanked "the greatest" Jeff for making an unmistakable impact on his career.
Paul McCartney shared his memories of Jeff the person and the musician.