In the beginning, Jeff Beck felt invincible. Rising from the quiet corners of Surrey to playing alongside rock royalty, Beck became the guitarist everyone admired. Young musicians dreamed of following in his footsteps. For a time, he was untouchable—until one figure appeared and forced him to fight for his spot at the top.
Replacing Eric Clapton in The Yardbirds was a huge deal, but if anyone was ready for it, it was Beck. By then, he had evolved from a skilled player to a master of bending notes, sliding, and applying vibrato without even a pick. His pairing with Jimmy Page brought a new era to the band, blending Beck’s experimental flair with Page’s dynamic versatility.
But Beck’s real breakthrough came when he formed The Jeff Beck Group alongside Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood. This band didn’t just follow the rock ‘n’ roll playbook—they rewrote it. Their mix of genres laid the foundation for the hard rock and metal explosion that would follow.
They didn’t just play; they created an electrifying experience. Audiences were left in awe, captivated by their energy, talent, and the perfect balance of precision and improvisation.
As always in music, though, there’s a new challenger waiting to shake things up. For Beck, that challenge came in the form of Jimi Hendrix. Though they would later become friends and collaborators, Hendrix’s arrival knocked Beck off balance. Hendrix’s stage presence, wild techniques, and sheer talent intimidated Beck in a way he hadn’t expected.
“Jimi would show up during our encores and steal the show,” Beck admitted to Guitar World. Performing in Manhattan’s rock scene, Hendrix’s stage antics—like playing behind his head and smashing guitars—eclipsed what Beck’s band had done. Yet, despite the friendly rivalry, Beck couldn’t help but admire the genius unfolding before him.
Seeing Hendrix for the first time in the UK left Beck stunned. Watching Hendrix’s jaw-dropping performance of “Like A Rolling Stone,” Beck felt a pang of defeat and whispered to himself, “Well, I used to be a guitarist.”
Despite the awe and initial fear, Beck’s legacy was never in true danger. Hendrix may have been the new sensation, but Beck’s unique talents and achievements would always secure his place among rock’s greats. While Hendrix shook the stage, Beck still held his own.
