Jeff Beck, R.I.P.
One of the great guitarists is gone.
Greg Mitchell is the author of a dozen books and now writer/director of award-winning films. He was also a longtime editor of the legendary Crawdaddy.
Had another Song of the Day dialed up but then word emerged last night that sadly Jeff Beck had died suddenly at age 78. So, hurriedly, a few highlights, mainly from the early (but wildly innovative, even for the ‘60s) days.
Odd side note: Another (perhaps lesser) part of Beck’s legacy—he inspired the haircut for Christopher Guest's character, Nigel Tufnel, in Spinal Tap. Jeff cheerfully admitted this but vehemently pointed out that he did not share Nigel’s dimness nor glam-rock outfits, and still “loved every minute” of the movie.
The Yardbirds, “For Your Love”
Jeff and Yardbirds in famous Blow-Up scene, allegedly after the Who backed out.
Former Yardbirds mate Jimmy Page inducts Jeff into Rock Hall of Fame.
Jeff with Stevie Wonder on “Superstition,” which Beck helped inspire before it was written with some rhythm tips.
Beck does Mingus
….and Les Paul…
..and Brian Wilson…
Yardbirds, “Shapes of Things”
And, of course, one of his popular early creations, “Beck’s Bolero.”
The Yardbirds, “Heart Full of Soul”
As a teenage guitarist, I still remember hearing “Shapes of Things” for the first time. The bass line, the guitar tone, and whiny feedback. The Truth album was iconic, but only a preview of sounds, and phrases, yet to come over decades. And with each project and group he played with, Jeff Beck is an iconic member of that elusive and exclusive group of musicians who somehow reach musical immortality.
Even without the mind-breaking playing, his Cliff Gallup reverence endeared me forever. The loss is huge.