Following the tragedy and sudden news that Jeff Beck died at the age of 78 on January 10, many of his peers in the music world paid tribute to the legendary guitarist.
On Wednesday (January 11), Beck’s family released a statement announcing that the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer died “After suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis.”
The news rocked the rock world, with luminaries such as Jimmy Page, Ozzy Osbourne, and others expressing grief over Beck’s death while also hailing him as one of the greatest guitarists to ever live.
Osbourne, whose recent solo album Patient number 9 Beck appeared playing the Grammy-nominated title track, stated, “I cannot express my sadness enough to hear of the passing of Jeff Beck. A terrible loss for his family, friends and his many fans. It was an honor to know Jeff and an incredible honor to have him play on my latest album, #PatientNumber9. Long live #JeffBeck.”
Page, who played with Beck as members of the Yardbirds in the 1960s, commented, “The six-string Warrior is no longer here for us to admire the spell he can cast around our mortal emotions. Jeff can project music from the ethereal. His technique is amazing. His imaginations are apparently limitless. Jeff I will miss you along with your millions of fans. Jeff Beck Rest In Peace.
Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, a member of the Jeff Beck Group in the ’60s, comments, “Now that Jeff is gone, I feel like one of my group of brothers has left this world, and I miss him so much. I send my deepest sympathies to Sandra, her family, and all who loved her. I want to thank him for all of our early days with the Jeff Beck Group, covering America.
Rod Stewart, another member of the Jeff Beck Group, added, “Jeff Beck is on another planet. He brought me and Ronnie Wood to the USA in the late 60s with his band the Jeff Beck Group and we haven’t looked back since.
And Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi WRITES, “I was really shocked to hear the sad news of Jeff Beck’s passing. Jeff was a great guy and an incredibly iconic, genius guitar player – there was no other Jeff Beck. His playing is very special and very unique! He will be missed. RIP Jeff.”
Check out these tributes, as well as more from David Gilmour, Mick Jagger, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and more in the tweets below.
I cannot express how sorry I am to hear @JeffBeckMusicpassed. A terrible loss for his family, friends and his many fans. It was an honor to know Jeff and an incredible honor to have him play on my latest album, #PatientNumber9.
live #JeffBeck pic.twitter.com/hG6O9tzfij— Ozzy Osbourne (@OzzyOsbourne) January 11, 2023
His technique is amazing. His imaginations are apparently limitless. Jeff I will miss you along with your millions of fans. Jeff Beck Rest In Peace.https://t.co/4h1DfXXmWI
— Jimmy Page (@JimmyPage) January 11, 2023
🙏Now that Jeff is gone, I feel like one of my band of brothers has left the world, and I miss him. I send my deepest sympathies to Sandra, her family, and all who loved her. I want to thank him for all of our early days with the Jeff Beck Group, covering America. pic.twitter.com/UareDAdtZ9
— Ronnie Wood (@ronniewood) January 11, 2023
I was really shocked to hear the sad news of Jeff Beck’s passing. Jeff was a great guy and an incredibly iconic, genius guitar player – there was no other Jeff Beck. His playing is very special and very unique! He will be missed. RIP Jeff-Tony pic.twitter.com/i6BGdqTUKU
— Tony Iommi (@tonyiommi) January 11, 2023
1/2
Jeff Beck is on another planet. He brought me and Ronnie Wood to the USA in the late 60s with his band the Jeff Beck Group
and since then we have not looked back. pic.twitter.com/uS7bbWsHgW— Sir Rod Stewart (@rodstewart) January 11, 2023
I was devastated to hear the news of the passing of my friend and hero Jeff Beck, whose music has brought joy and inspiration to me and countless others over the years.
Polly and my thoughts go out to his lovely wife Sandra.
He will forever be in our hearts. pic.twitter.com/369rHU7BCX– David Gilmour (@davidgilmour) January 11, 2023
With the passing of Jeff Beck we have lost a wonderful man and one of the greatest guitar players in the world. We miss him so much. pic.twitter.com/u8DYQrLNB7
– Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) January 11, 2023
WOW. What terrible news. Jeff Beck, one of the guitar masters of all time has died. From The Yardbirds and The Jeff Beck Group to, he blazed a trail that was impossible to follow. Play now and forever. @jeffbeckmusic pic.twitter.com/8LVeq47wxx
— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) January 11, 2023
An absolute guitar god. No one can replace him. From rock to soul to jazz he is the greatest player of all genres. Amazing. Such terrible news but thank you Jeff for all you have given us. #jeffBeck @jeffbeckmusic pic.twitter.com/kfeTDaPSdR
— Gary Kemp (@garyjkemp) January 11, 2023
I’m heartbroken he looks in fine shape to me. His acting is very good. I’m shocked and confused Deepest sympathy to his wife my close friends I’m confused Jeff Beck doesn’t make sense I didn’t get it. He is a good friend and a great guitar player
— Dave Davies (@davedavieskinks) January 11, 2023
I was very saddened to hear about the passing of Jeff Beck. Jeff is a genius guitar player, and my band and I saw it up close when we toured with him in 2013. One of the highlights we did was “Danny Boy” – we both loved that song . Love & Sympathy to Jeff’s family. pic.twitter.com/eZFHpHgiKt
– Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) January 11, 2023
RIP one of the greats, Jeff Beck 🕊️🌹🎸 The Bruce family would like to extend our sincere love and condolences to @jeffbeckmusicfamily, friends and fans around the world. What a wonderful legacy. Here are some photos of Jack and Jeff together, not too long ago ❤️ pic.twitter.com/vq2xnSDOSR
— Jack Bruce (@jackbrucemusic) January 11, 2023
Oh, My Heart…RIP, Jeff…I miss you so much…💔💔💔💔💔
Jeff Beck, Guitar Virtuoso and Blues-Rock Innovator, Dead at 78 – Rolling Stone https://t.co/oJ2O1vqbDk
– David Coverdale (@davidcoverdale) January 11, 2023
Rest in peace to the greatest of them all: Jeff Beck!!!!
— Bill Burr (@billburr) January 11, 2023
RIP Jeff Beck. A pioneer and one of the greats of all time. #jeffbeck pic.twitter.com/h7bTL3ZaxA
– Johnny Marr (@Johnny_Marr) January 11, 2023
Jeff Beck is not like the others. Not only skill and soul, he has his own vocabulary. A great musician like this leaves such a void. RIP JB
– Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) January 11, 2023
My favorite guitar player of all time has left us. RIP @jeffbeckmusic #jeffbeck #RIPjeffbeck pic.twitter.com/xB8MNURibX
– Todd Dammit Kerns (@todddammitkerns) January 11, 2023
Definitely one of my favorite guitarists of all time! The “Truth” album changed my life. As a singer and guitarist, I want to be Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart rolled into one— all of us. What a loss. We all miss Jeff. My love and condolences to his family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/0AgQsCHN76
— Sammy Hagar (@sammyhagar) January 11, 2023
Jeff scratched his name on the back of my Les Paul (thanks to my buddy Andy) when we hung out in Birmingham last Nov. ’89. #jeffbeck #RipLegend pic.twitter.com/lgXr958itt
– Damon Johnson (@DamonJOfficial) January 11, 2023
Shocking news. A great loss for music and the guitar world. RIP Jeff Beck 💔 https://t.co/9cVNXJ13jJ
— Gus G. (@gusgofficial) January 11, 2023
RIP Jeff Beck. I’m so sad 😞 #
– Mick Mars (@mrmickmars) January 11, 2023
As Jamie West-Oram once said, “There is no ‘best’ guitarist in the world…Except there is …Jeff Beck”. There is nothing else.
– The Fixx (@FixxOnline) January 11, 2023
Jeff Beck is the best. RIP
– Brendon Small (@brendonsmall) January 11, 2023
Jeff Beck. He is my hero. A giant of men. I feel so lucky to call him a friend. I miss him so much. Love to his family at this time of great loss. ❤️ @jeffbeckmusic pic.twitter.com/zmm3IPqaug
— Tyler Bryant (@thetylerbryant) January 11, 2023
So sad to hear that Jeff Beck has passed away. I was lucky enough to see him once and I was amazed at his intelligence. Thanks, Jeff, for being amazing to us guitar players… pic.twitter.com/f680ldCgQ5
— Mike McCready (@MikeMcCreadyPJ) January 11, 2023