Geoffrey Arnold "Jeff" Beck (24 June 1944 – 10 January 2023)) was an
English rock guitarist. One of three noted guitarists, with Eric
Clapton and Jimmy Page, to have played with The Yardbirds, Beck also formed The Jeff Beck Group and Beck, Bogert & Appice. He was ranked 14th in Rolling Stone's
list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time", and the magazine
has described him as "one of the most influential lead guitarists in
rock". MSNBC has called him a "guitarist's guitarist"
Much of
Beck's recorded output has been instrumental, with a focus on
innovative sound and his releases have spanned genres ranging from blues-rock,
heavy metal, jazz fusion and most recently, an additional blend of
guitar-rock and electronica. Beck has earned wide critical praise;
furthermore, he has received the Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental
Performance five times. Although he has had two hit albums (in 1975
and 1976) as a solo act, Beck has not established or maintained a broad
following or the sustained commercial success of many of his
collaborators and bandmates. Beck appears on albums by Mick Jagger, Kate
Bush, Roger Waters, Stevie Wonder, Les Paul, Zucchero, Cyndi Lauper,
Brian May and ZZ Top. He also made a cameo appearance in the movie Twins (1988).
He has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice: as a member of The Yardbirds (1992) and as a solo artist (2009).