Jeff Beck
The guitar world has been shaken to the core at the loss of one of its most original voices and many players wanted to share a personal note of loss, an anecdote, or a tribute to a man who played such an important role in their musical lives
MARTIN BARRE
“I first met Jeff when I was recording music with Hilton Valentine of The Animals in around 1967 in London. We didn’t know he was putting a solo on the song, so when he walked through the studio, my jaw hit the floor. He borrowed my guitar, found an old amp in a corner of the room and the room came alive!
“Tull played with Jeff and Rod Stewart in the States in 1969 and, again, I was very much in awe of his presence. To hear him play and then have to follow on the same stage was one of the hardest lessons that I ever learnt. He inspired me and, unknowingly, helped me come to terms with performing alongside the best musicians on the planet.
“To be unique in the world of guitar playing is a very special quality and he had that and more. It speaks volumes that he could be immediately recognised by his sound, his technique and his understated approach to music. I share his passion for vintage cars, but will never come close to sharing his ability to create the magic and majesty he had playing guitar. Jeff took English rock guitar to the States and the impact he created will reverberate forever.”
JENNIFER BATTEN
“We were playing a double bill in Rio with Wayne Shorter. We were in the middle of the glorious Where Were You duet – just the two of us. I was triggering Tony Hymasesque synth pads when Jeff broke a string. His tech always had an eye on him and immediately brought him a new guitar while I sustained a chord. He started to carry on with the song when the new guitar went belly up with a horrendous jack buzz. He got so upset with the failure because he was so deeply emotionally invested in the tune, that he took off the faulty guitar and smashed it into the stage. There were seconds there where my life flashed before my eyes as I once again sustained the harmony wondering what came next, until he stormed off the stage in defeat.
“I’d heard about this behaviour from his early years but had never been a part of it. Soon it was obvious it was over and I put down my guitar and headed backstage to find him extremely upset. It’s that kind of vested emotion and sensitivity that made him the best vessel for music possible. I do know how lucky I was to have been a part of his life and music.”
JOE BONAMASS
