British guitar legend Jeff Beck recently passed away at age 78. The eight-time Grammy winner is survived by his wife Sandra. Paul McCartney is one of the music legends to mourn his death. A Tweet from his Twitter account on January 11 noted that on behalf of his family that “after suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis, he peacefully passed away yesterday,” as can be seen here.The Rock And Roll Hall Of Famer rose to prominence with The Yardbirds. He died “suddenly.”
On behalf of his family, it is with deep and profound sadness that we share the news of Jeff Beck’s passing. After suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis, he peacefully passed away yesterday. His family ask for privacy while they process this tremendous loss. pic.twitter.com/4dvt5aGzlv
— Jeff Beck (@jeffbeckmusic) January 11, 2023
Paul McCartney pays tribute to Jeff Beck
Beck’s death quickly reverberated around the music world, with tributes pouring in from rock icons like Ozzy Osbourne, with whom Beck once collaborated, and Kiss lead singer Gene Simmons, who called Beck’s passing “heartbreaking.”
Paul McCartney took to his Instagram account and posted a couple of throwback pictures. He wrote an emotional caption that read:
I was so saddened to hear that Jeff Beck had died. Jeff Beck was a lovely man with a wicked sense of humour who played some of the best guitar music ever to come out of Great Britain. He was a superb technician and could strip down his guitar and put it back together again in time for the show.
His unique style of playing was something that no one could match, and I will always remember the great times we had together. He would come over to dinner at our place or he and his wife, Sandra, would host an evening at their house.
Jeff had immaculate taste in most things and was an expert at rebuilding his collection of cars. His no nonsense attitude to the music business was always so refreshing and I will cherish forever the moments we spent together.
Jeff Beck has left the building and it is a lonelier place without him.
God bless Jeff and his family.
Love
Paul
—-
Beck famously replaced Eric Clapton as The Yardbirds lead guitarist in 1965 and later went on to form The Jeff Beck Group, which featured Rod Stewart on vocals and Ron Wood on bass. Their two albums — “Truth” (1968) and “Beck-Ola” (1969) — would become musical touchstones for hard rockers in the years to come.
