Rock legend Jeff Beck has sadly died aged 78.
The news was confirmed in a statement shared to the guitarist’s website on Wednesday evening.
The statement read: “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.”
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
According to PEOPLE, Jeff’s close friend Johnny Depp was by his bedside when he died.
A source told the magazine that the Pirates of the Caribbean star is “totally devastated” by his passing.
The insider explained: “They had a really tight friendship, they were extremely close, and he got even closer over this past summer when they were touring together. The sickness came on really quickly and it all deteriorated rapidly in the last couple weeks.”
"My dear friend and my brother…
one of my all time guitar heroes"
~ #JohnnyDepp about Jeff Beck#RIP #JeffBeck 💔🕊️ pic.twitter.com/ovKbiSOFP2— Savvy? 🏴☠️ (@Savvy_CapJackie) January 11, 2023
A host of famous faces took to Twitter to react to the news of Jeff’s passing.
Ozzy Osbourne wrote: “I can’t express how saddened I am to hear of @JeffBeckMusic’s passing. What a terrible loss for his family, friends & his many fans.
“It was such an honor to have known Jeff & an incredible honor to have had him play on my most recent album, #PatientNumber9. Long live #JeffBeck.”
I can’t express how saddened I am to hear of @JeffBeckMusic’s passing. What a terrible loss for his family, friends & his many fans. It was such an honor to have known Jeff & an incredible honor to have had him play on my most recent album, #PatientNumber9.
Long live #JeffBeck pic.twitter.com/hG6O9tzfij— Ozzy Osbourne (@OzzyOsbourne) January 11, 2023
Kiss frontman Paul Stanley also posted a tribute to Jeff, describing him as “one of the all time guitar masters”.
He tweeted: “WOW. What awful news. Jeff Beck, one of the all time guitar masters has died.”
“From The Yardbirds and The Jeff Beck Group on, he blazed a trail impossible to follow. Play on now and forever.”
WOW. What awful news. Jeff Beck, one of the all time guitar masters has died. From The Yardbirds and The Jeff Beck Group on, he blazed a trail impossible to follow. Play on now and forever. @jeffbeckmusic pic.twitter.com/8LVeq47wxx
— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) January 11, 2023
Rod Stewart wrote: “Jeff Beck was on another planet . He took me and Ronnie Wood to the USA in the late 60s in his band the Jeff Beck Group and we haven’t looked back since .”
“He was 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 . RIP.”
2/2
He was 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 . RIP— Sir Rod Stewart (@rodstewart) January 11, 2023
