LEGENDARY GUITARIST JEFF BECK PASSES AT AGE 78

Jeff Beck, one of the most admired, and influential, guitarists in rock history, has passed at a hospital near his home in Surrey, England., he was 78.

An official announcement reads:

“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.”

During the 1960s and ’70s, as either a member of the Yardbirds or as leader of his own bands. Beck joined the Yardbirds in 1965, replacing Eric Clapton.

Three years later, when he formed his own band, later known as the Jeff Beck Group — along with a then little-known singer, Rod Stewart, and the equally obscure Ron Wood on bass 

Mr. Beck helped either pioneer, or amplify, some important technical innovations on his instrument. He elaborated the use of distortion and feedback effects, earlier explored by Pete Townshend; intensified the effect of bending notes on the guitar; and widened the range of expression that could be coaxed from devices amended to the guitar like the whammy bar.

[Dana’s note: All of us at EddieTrunk.com send our condolences to Mr. Beck’s loved ones, and to his legions of fans, worldwide, he will be greatly missed by many.]

additional source: nytimes.com