A Tribute To Jeff Beck: A True Guitar Hero

By Shawn Perry
Live photos from Junkman, Ron Lyon & Joe Schaeffer

News of Jeff Beck’s death came out of nowhere. It had only been a few months since he had released an album called Johnny Depp 18 and was out promoting it. Now one of the most powerful guitarists in the world was gone. He was 78 years old but, unlike so many of his contemporaries, was remarkably prolific, still recording, collaborating and touring. It seems as if time is running out and more vintage rock era musicians are leaving, Jeff Beck will be the last to leave. But unfortunately it is not so.

Beck passed away on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 from bacterial meningitis, a terrible infection that comes on suddenly. Further details have not yet been announced at the time of writing this article. However, there is no doubt that the impact of his death resonated throughout the music world and will continue to do so.

If you know anything about Jeff Beck, you know he didn’t take the easy road to fame. Some would speculate that he sabotaged it – multiple times. Depending on who you ask, he either left or was fired by the Yardbirds — possibly both. There’s no argument that his time with them was well served as it showcased his unique style. He then formed his own group with Rod Stewart on vocals and Ron Wood on bass. Soon after, his childhood friend, guitarist Jimmy Page, who, at Beck’s urging, had joined the Yardbirds and remained there until they broke up, formed his own band. They were called Led Zeppelin.

The Jeff Beck Group performed shortly before Cream disbanded and Led Zeppelin erupted. Two albums – 1968 truth and 1969s Beck Ola – showed a great potential of possible things to come. The group was even asked to perform at Woodstock. Once again, Beck’s temper and inability to play well with others led to a split with Stewart and Wood, who formed Faces with three quarters Small Faces. Despite this, Jeff Beck was still a highly respected guitarist in the 1960s and could have joined the Rolling Stones or Pink Floyd had he played his cards right. Chances are he folded every hand.

Beck planned to work with Vanilla Fudge drummer Carmine Appice and bassist Tim Bogert, but when the guitarist was involved in a near-fatal car accident in December 1969, that project was shelved. After recovering, he formed a new version of The Jeff Beck Group with drummer Cozy Powell, vocalist Bobby Tench, keyboardist Max Middleton and bassist Clive Chaman. The quintet recorded two funky and soulful yet offbeat albums before Beck decided to give Appice and Bogert another try. The trio recorded Beck, Bogert and Appice, featuring Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition,” which Beck was originally gifted by Wonder after the guitarist worked with the singer. Wonder’s label Motown had other ideas and immediately released Wonder’s version ahead of BBA’s. There were plans for a second record, but the group splintered.

In 1975 Beck recorded beat by beat with famed producer George Martin and inadvertently became a pioneer of the jazz-rock-fusion-guitar-instrumental world. Wired (1976) and Back and forth (1980) followed as Beck’s playing became noticeably experimental and revered. It was like he didn’t need a singer anymore because he could make his instrument sing. Sessions with such top-class musicians as keyboardist Jan Hammer, bassist Stanley Clarke and drummer Simon Phillips only broadened his spectrum. While Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton had more commercial success, there was no comparison when it came to what Beck could do with the guitar.

Page, Clapton and Beck came together for the ARMS Charity Concerts in support of Action into Research for Multiple Sclerosis in 1983, and all questions were quickly dispelled as to which of the three six-string slingers was a true master of the instrument. Clapton played a set full of hits, Page meandered through a random version of “Stairway To Heaven” in deep grief after the split from Led Zeppelin. Night after night, Jeff Beck delivered solid guitar theatrics to stunned audiences throughout the brief tour.

Beck continued recording throughout the 1980s and 1990s. He has spent flashwhich featured a version of Curtis Mayfield’s “People Get Ready” with old bandmate Rod Stewart in 1985 before returning to an all-instrumental format in 1989 with keyboardist Tony Hymas and drummer Terry Bozzio Guitar shop by Jeff Beck. Both albums won Grammys. In the mid-’90s, Beck paid tribute to Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps guitarist Cliff Gallup with the rockabilly flavor crazy legs. He wasn’t just exploring his roots; He also built on his versatility.

During this time the guitarist has also done a number of high-profile sessions for Tina Turner, Kate Bush and Roger Waters (among others) – a practice he has returned to on and off, with one of his latest (if not his last) playing a solo on the title track of Ozzy Osbourne’s 2022 album, Patient number 9. It’s hard to say if session work made Beck a wealthy man, although it’s likely that any extra money he made helped keep his passion for hot rods alive. Tinkering with his cars and an overview of his career can be seen in full in the 2018 documentary Still on the Run: The Story of Jeff Beck.

Who else!, featured fellow guitarist Jennifer Batten, the first of many female musicians Beck featured on his records. With his status intact and his legend secured, the guitarist would record five albums in the 21st century. He did a few orchestral maneuvers in the 2010s Emotions & Excitementand forged an alliance with British singer Rosie Bones and guitarist Carmen Vandenberg of Bones UK to make 2016 Loud hailer. That same year, Beck celebrated his 50-year career with a star-studded concert at the Hollywood Bowl. A more complete picture of the man’s work could not have been formed. And I was only too happy to witness it.

In fact, I’ve had the privilege of watching Jeff Beck abuse a guitar on stage on many occasions. The first was in 1980 at the Greek Theater. I used to watch shows on tours from there Jeff Beck’s guitar shop, who else!, and Emotions & Excitement. That night he played in Las Vegas with ZZ Top. And another night he was playing at the Grove in Anaheim and keyboardist Keith Emerson was at the next table. I always hoped Beck would ask Emerson to get a number or two, but it never happened. So sad it will never happen.

I also had a few close encounters with Jeff Beck – both at two different NAMM shows in Anaheim. The first time was in 1985 and I was with a guitarist friend who was just starting to make a name for himself. At one point we were in the Hilton lobby, which was packed with NAMM attendees. We had come down from Neal Schon’s suite, accompanied by a few others, including a photographer. As soon as we got off the elevator, there was Jeff Beck with guitar pickup guru Seymour Duncan. The photographer managed to pull my friend in for a quick photo. Beck, who was wearing sunglasses, was stunned and expressionless.

Moments later, a very drunk Eddie Van Halen showed up. Here two of the world’s most notorious guitarists faced each other, and anyone within a hundred yards immediately approached and surrounded the gathering, waiting to see what would happen next.

“Are you playing tonight?” Van Halen asked Beck. “Nah,” the guitarist replied, amused.

After Van Halen flashed his trademark grin, I could have sworn I heard him murmur, “Pussy…” What happened next is completely hazy.

My second touch with Beck was a little less sensational. It was years later when I quoted the guitarist walking up to me on the NAMM showroom floor. There was no one else there, so I innocently asked the guitarist for an autograph. He gave me a look and shook his head. His friend pointed at me and nodded. “Sure looks like him,” I thought I heard him say. “Hey, I’m just a fan,” I whispered. “Sorry mate…” was all Beck left me. It was one of those never-meet-your-hero moments. Maybe I reminded him of an ex-bandmate. Sure, I was a little disappointed, but that never stopped me from appreciating the music. I tried to interview him for years only to be turned away. I was told that he doesn’t like interviews and I totally understood that.

Beck’s partnership with Johnny Depp hasn’t quite lived up to many fans’ expectations, least of all mine. I didn’t even make it to a show. Seeing him play with Ann Wilson and Paul Rodgers in 2018 would be the last time for me. Thankfully, Beck and his band were impressive that day.

For me, Jeff Beck was and is unsurpassed as a guitarist. I would even put him above Jimi Hendrix. Let’s face it: He’s had a lot more time on this earth to hone his craft to the point where it was practically an extension of his being. Put a Stratocaster in his hand and he could moan, scream, squeak, howl and roar it melodiously. For all his flaws, temper and miscalculations, Jeff Beck was perhaps, and perhaps will be remembered, the greatest and most inventive rock ‘n’ roll guitarist who ever lived. Given the number of players, discussions may arise. Even so, the likelihood of any arguments breaking out seems incredibly slim.