Jakarta, IO – Jeff Beck, one of the most influential guitarists in rock history, passed away after a long-time battle with bacterial meningitis infection on Tuesday (10/1), reported the New York Times.
He is known to master various genres of music such as rock, blues rock, hard rock, and jazz fusion.
“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,” a statement from his Instagram account read.
Beck’s publicist Melissa Dragich said he passed away in hospital near his home in Riverhall, a rural area in southern England.
Beck was born Geoffrey Beck in Wallington, south London in 1944. From an early age, he developed an interest in music, joining the church choir and playing the guitar, his first instrument, as a teenager. After briefly studying art in London, Beck became famous when he joined The Yardbirds in 1965. However, he chose to left the band after two years and released his first solo single Hi Ho Silver Lining in 1967.
In 1968, Beck released a solo album titled Truth which mixed blues and hard rock. One year later, he formed the “The Jeff Beck Group” band, producing albums titled Beck Ola and Rough and Ready. However, the group eventually dissolved and Beck decided to return to a solo career in 1975.