I got Wired as a sophomore in high school in 1978. None of my friends were listening to that type of music. Next I got Blow by Blow. Wired and Blow by Blow have been in continuous rotation all these years. MFSL CDs, Analogue Productions SACDs and 45 RPM. Blow by Blow was the first audiophile LP I ever purchased (Master sound). I was a freshman in college, in 1980, and it was $14. I still have that LP. Wired and Blow by Blow really turned out to be influential gateways to jazz, which is what I mainly listen to nowadays. I also saw Jeff Beck live one time at the Greek theater in Berkeley in the early 80s. It was a fantastic show. It has been great to see all the tributes to Jeff Beck from other artists on social media. In addition to his great artistry, it sounds like he was a person with many admirers and friends.
He is a legend, one of the top 5 Rock guitarists IMO. He could play everything Rock, Blues, Jazz, Funk, Electronic. I enjoy his playing from his different phases: Truth, Blow by Blow, Who Else.
Just woke up and read the news.... extremely sad and shocking... died from meningitis! An innovative guitarists, with not only such grace and beauty but also power, one of the all time greats! He will be sadly missed. R.I.P Richard
The singles from that period too are essential in my book. He was being handled by Mickie Most who wanted Beck to be a huge 'pop' star on his own. The three Columbia 45's from '67 and '68 all have a split personality. The A-sides were the pop fodder that Most wanted but the B-sides are the real Jeff Beck and all of them are great. That being said 'Tallyman' is the only piece of power-pop that Beck ever did and it's one of my alltime favorites. 'Silver Lining' and 'Love Is Blue' are so un-Beck but I like them for that very reason. I can envision after Love Is Blue bombed, Jeff probably said something like "Hey Mickie, how much more of this horses&*t do I have to do for you?"
An old acquaintance, through record collecting of course, was good friends with Jeff in the mid-sixties. He had plenty of stories to tell about him guiding Jeff around on shopping trips to L.A.'s old record stores that specialized in blues, R and B and jazz. Some are published so I won't try to repeat them. But what sticks with me is Jeff was really a tremendous gatherer, whether of auto parts or records. He hunted and brought home things that inspired him to share in his music or take out on the road.
Very sad and shocking news. Poster @PacificOceanBlue posted a Beck list some time ago that I made into a Spotify playlist. Here it is: Jeff Beck (PacificOceanBlue @ SHF)
I haven't read through all the pages yet but my nephew works on the ward he was on and I was told both Page and Clapton had been to see him ( this was last Thursday 5th ) so it was clear something was going on sadly .....
Very sad news. Sorry for him and his family and friends and fans. A creative life well-lived and shared I would say.
Rest in peace, Jeff. He was a big fan of rock'n'roll and rockabilly. Particularly very fond of Gene Vincent. His guitar heroes were Cliff Gallop and Scotty Moore. Another great gone!!
Very sad, even more so because it seems like something that could have been avoided. RIP and thank you for the music Jeff.
