Born June 24, 1944 Beck is one of three guitarists who cut their teeth in the Yardbirds. The others being some fellows named Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page. His blend of blues, rock, jazz fusion has earned him multiple Grammy awards and the #5 ranking in Rolling Stone magazine's #100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time". He has also been honored by induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice. He was inducted with the Yardbirds in 1992 and as a solo act in 2009.
10 year old Jeff sang with his church choir. He took up guitar as a teenager, even attempting to build his own axe. His early influences include Les Paul, Steve Cropper, and BB King. Like many English would-be musicians, Jeff attended art school. His sister introduced him to future Led Zeppelin guitarist Page. In the early 1960s Beck began gigging with local bands. He started out playing the hits of Buddy Holly and Gene Vincent. As his playing progressed, he gravitated to the blues.
He replaced Clapton in the Yardbirds on Page's recommendation, staying for less than 2 years. Tempers flared amongst the Yardbirds, leading to Beck's departure. He then completed his first solo recording "Beck's Bolero" in 1966 featuring Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, Keith Moon and Nicky Hopkins. It would become the B-side to his first single "Hi Ho Silver Lining". From there, Jeff formed the Jeff Beck Group. Although the group would go through numerous lineup changes, notable members included vocalist Rod Stewart, guitarist/bassist Ron Wood and pianist Hopkins.
The Jeff Beck Group's first two releases were for Columbia, 1968's "Truth" and "Beck-ola" in 1969. Dissension within the group led to a split in July, 1969 on the eve of their appearance at Woodstock. The Rolling Stones asked Beck to join their band after the death of Brian Jones.
Beck was injured in a car accident later in 1969 and took time off to recover. When he returned to the scene it was with an all-new Jeff Beck Group. Their first album, "Rough and Ready" was released in October, 1971. It mixed R&B and soul with a jazzy vibe. Their second album "The Jeff Beck Group", produced by Cropper in Memphis continued with the soulful sounds. The band underwent personnel changes/breakups again.
In 1975 Beck released the instrumental solo album "Blow by Blow". It reached #4 on Billboard's Hot 200 and was certified platinum. He followed that up with a tour. He continued to record and tour throughout the '70s, his reputation as a perfectionist following him wherever he went.
1981 saw Beck team-up with fellow former Yardbird guitarist Clapton for a series of shows, the gunslingers performing mano a mano. "Flash" was released in 1985, featuring Beck working with various singers, including one-time Jeff Beck Group vocalist Stewart. Beck was there for his former bandmate Stewart's induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.
Through the years, Beck has continued to tour the world and release new music, both solo and collaborative. He's played with a most eclectic group of musicians ranging from Brian Wilson to David Bowie to Clapton to Joss Stone, always searching for the perfect sound to emanate from his ever-present Fender Stratocaster. To this day, Beck continues to be sighted as one of the most influential guitarists in music, and raises the bar every time his straps on his Strat. Until next time, boys and girls. Keep It Bluesy!
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