Jeff Beck, legendary rock guitarist and musician, dead at 78
By Dan Heching, CNN
(CNN) -- Jeff Beck, the rock guitarist often regarded among the greatest of all-time, has died, according to a statement posted to his official social media accounts. He was 78.
"On behalf of his family, it is with deep and profound sadness that we share the news of Jeff Beck's passing," the statement said. "After suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis, he peacefully passed away yesterday. His family ask for privacy while they process this tremendous loss."
His representative, Melissa Dragich, confirmed the news to CNN via email.
Beck rose to fame in the '60s when he replaced Eric Clapton in the Yardbirds. He left a year later to start his own group The Jeff Beck Group, featuring Rod Stewart and Ron Wood.
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 as part of the Yardbirds and inducted again in 2009 as a solo artist.
An eight-time Grammy winner, Beck earned his first career Grammy in 1985 for best rock instrumental performance for "Escape." He went on to win five more times in that category.
Last year, Beck toured with Johnny Depp, after the pair recorded a cover album together titled "18."
In reaction to his death, KISS bassist and co-frontman Gene Simmons said it was "heart breaking."
"No one played guitar like Jeff," Simmons wrote on Twitter. "Please get a hold of the first two Jeff Beck Group albums and behold greatness. RIP."
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.
