Mick Jagger, Jimmy Page, Rod Stewart and More Mourn Jeff Beck: An Absolute God of Guitar

Following Wednesday’s announcement of the death of English rock guitarist Jeff Beck, musicians and celebrities took to social media to remember the artist and his storied career. Among them, Gene Simmons, Mick Jagger and Rod Stewart shared their condolences and showed praise for the “distinctively brilliant” guitar maven.

Beck died on Tuesday after contracting bacterial meningitis, according to an official statement obtained by Variety and posted to his social media accounts. He was 78.

In a Twitter post, Stewart thanked Beck for being “one of the few guitarists that when playing live would actually listen to me sing and respond. Jeff, you were the greatest, my man. Thank you for everything.” Stewart was the vocalist of the Jeff Beck Group, a lineup that musically transcended the mere two years the band was actually together.

Popular on Variety

Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi described Beck as “an outstanding iconic, genius guitar player,” in his post. The two shared major real estate on Ozzy Osbourne’s last album, “Patient Number 9” (2022), which received several nominations for the 2023 Grammy Awards including nods for Iommi and Beck in the best metal performance and rock performance categories.

“There will never be another Jeff Beck,” the note concludes.

I was totally shocked to hear the very sad news of Jeff Beck’s passing. Jeff was such a nice person and an outstanding iconic, genius guitar player – there will never be another Jeff Beck. His playing was very special & distinctively brilliant! He will be missed. RIP Jeff -Tony pic.twitter.com/i6BGdqTUKU

— Tony Iommi (@tonyiommi) January 11, 2023

“Heartbreaking news to report the late, great Jeff Back has sadly passed,” wrote Gene Simmons on Twitter. “No one played guitar like Jeff. Please get ahold of the first two Jeff Beck Group albums and behold greatness,” he said, referring to Beck’s 1968 debut “Truth,” and its successor, 1969’s “Beck-Ola.”

In an interview with Music Radar in 2017, Simmons was asked to list tracks that “blew his mind” and listed “Truth,” saying: “Even before Led Zeppelin and Cream, Beck took the blues and turned up the volume. But it wasn’t just decibels; Beck was pushing the envelope in all sorts of directions. Nuanced little jazz licks that caught you off guard… sophisticated, delicate melodies.”

He also told the publication it was the album he plays “right before I’m due to go on stage. Even if it came out today, it would grab your attention.”

Heartbreaking news to report the late, great Jeff Back has sadly passed. No one played guitar like Jeff. Please get ahold of the first two Jeff Beck Group albums and behold greatness. RIP. pic.twitter.com/3qnPOCyhUj

— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) January 11, 2023

Gary Kemp of Spandau Ballet described Beck as the “absolute god of guitar… From rock to soul to jazz he was the greatest player in all genres.”

An absolute god of guitar. No one can replace him. From rock to soul to jazz he was the greatest player in all genres. Unique. Such awful news but thank you Jeff for all you gave us. #jeffBeck @jeffbeckmusic pic.twitter.com/kfeTDaPSdR

— Gary Kemp (@garyjkemp) January 11, 2023

In her newsletter, Patti Smith sent out a video of Roger Waters’ “What God Wants, Pt. III,” in which Beck plays guitar, adding: “Tonight we lost Jeff Beck. He was quiet as moccasined feet, yet mercurial, innovative, impossible to categorize. One of the masters of my generation. A guitarist in the highest sense. Listen to him on this track, What God Wants, and say farewell.”

See more reactions below.

I am devastated to hear the news of the death of my friend and hero Jeff Beck, whose music has thrilled and inspired me and countless others for so many years.
Polly‘s and my thoughts go out to his lovely wife Sandra.
He will be forever in our hearts. pic.twitter.com/369rHU7BCX

— David Gilmour (@davidgilmour) January 11, 2023

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by John Mayer (@johnmayer)

🙏Now Jeff has gone, I feel like one of my band of brothers has left this world, and I’m going to dearly miss him. I’m sending much sympathy to Sandra, his family, and all who loved him. I want to thank him for all our early days together in Jeff Beck Group, conquering America. pic.twitter.com/UareDAdtZ9

— Ronnie Wood (@ronniewood) January 11, 2023

I just heard the sad news that the great virtuoso guitarist, Jeff Beck, has died.
He was one of my heroes. I was fortunate to meet him recently and I’m very grateful now that I was able to tell him how much I admired his musical skill.
This is the end of an era.
R.I.P
Billy Joel pic.twitter.com/Z5RTEDJcuu

— Billy Joel (@billyjoel) January 12, 2023

I am saddened by the news of Jeff Beck’s passing. Here’s a clip of a video I did with him in ‘85. It was this video that really paved the way for the success of my hit, Soldier of Love.

I’ll always be grateful to Jeff for that opportunity.

RIP, my friend. pic.twitter.com/7FTDYMLp3r

— Donny Osmond (@donnyosmond) January 12, 2023

Jeff Beck was punk rock before punk existed and one of the most inventive guitar players of all time. He set a very high bar for all of us who followed. His legend will live on.

The Edge.

— U2 (@U2) January 12, 2023

I’m so sad to hear about Jeff Beck passing. Jeff was a genius guitar player, and me and my band got to see it close up when we toured with him in 2013. One of the highlights we did was “Danny Boy” – we both loved that song. Love & Mercy to Jeff’s family. pic.twitter.com/eZFHpHgiKt

— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) January 11, 2023

⁦@jeffbeckmusic⁩ Was the Picasso of Rock & Roll. Unlike every other guitar player, he created music that literally sounded as if he was an alien,following no rules, no clichés,a true master of the instrument. I am shocked and saddened by his passing RIP Jeff Beck. pic.twitter.com/rE4QQ2EspE

— Michael Des Barres (@MDesbarres) January 11, 2023

Is this true about Jeff Beck is this really happining I’m in fucking shock I can’t believe it

— Dave Davies (@davedavieskinks) January 11, 2023

Not Jeff Beck!!! 🙏

— midge ure💙 (@midgeure1) January 11, 2023

Must Read

Film
COVER | Sebastian Stan Tells All: Becoming Donald Trump and Starring in 2024’s Most Controversial Movie
By Andrew Wallenstein 3 weeks

Sign Up for Variety Newsletters

By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy.We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. // This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

ncG1vNJzZmiukae2psDYZ5qopV9nfXN%2FjqasrKGTZLumw9JooZ6elmKvpq%2FKZpuemZRiv6atwq2gqKajYrqqr8pmoZqfl5q%2FbrPEp5xmq5miurC60mZoa2tlaYV3gZBrZg%3D%3D

Larita Shotwell

Update: 2024-09-15

VlogUp