Guitarist Jeff Beck’s unexpected passing earlier this year took the rock world by surprise. He died suddenly of bacterial meningitis. He was 78. R.I.P. (June 24, 1944–January 11, 2023)
A guitar player’s guitar player, Jeff Beck was considered one of the top five of all time. An eight-time Grammy winner, he was inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame—as a member of the Yardbirds, and for his own Jeff Beck Group.
Jeff was a humble person, admired and liked by all. Read Jeff Beck, Rock’s Quiet Guitar Virtuoso, Dead at 78. It includes loving quotes from members of Rock and Roll royalty.
Once news of his sudden passing came out, many searched his music online. I was impressed by his amazing virtuosity and versatility. Equally at home in different musical genres, he had his own unique style of playing that defied categorization. Jeff never sang; his guitar did for him.
Part of Gene’s comment (5th from top) explains: “He is a fusion of blues, soul & progressive rock. He could manipulate the strings, whammy bar, volume & tone knobs simultaneously, with technical mastery, to seamless & absolutely dazzling effect. He had voice on the guitar that was exceedingly rare and distinct.”
Here are five examples of the videos I discovered that give us an idea of his talent and range. They cover Rock, Pop, Classical, Opera, and Celtic, respectively: Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers from Live at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London (Nov 2007), Superstition with Stevie Wonder at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary, Adagietto from Gustav Mahler’s 5th Symphony, Nessun Dorma (No One Sleeps) at Royal Albert Hall, and Mna Na Hereann (Women of Ireland) with Sharon Corr.
Enjoy Jeff Beck – Performing This Week… Live at Ronnie Scott’s. Accompanying Jeff Beck are Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, Tal Wilkenfeld on bass guitar, and Jason Rebello on keyboards. Amazing musicians in their own right, together they produce an exciting cohesive sound. The show’s twenty-one performances include a few surprise star guest appearances. And the camera catches a few famous musicians smiling in the audience. Jeff concludes the evening with the hauntingly beautiful Where Were You.
Jeff Beck also beautifully played all of Women of Ireland, Live in Moscow at Crocus City 2010, and with violinist Lizzie Ball Live at Madison Square Garden 2013. “Mná na hÉireann” (Women of Ireland), a poem written by Ulster poet Peadar Ó Doirnín (1704–1796), became famous as a song.
Another great musician left us unexpectedly a few months earlier. See Rock’s Songbird—Christine McVie—has flown free.
For more musicians check the Archive of the ‘Music’ Category on The Uncarved Blog.
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