Jeff Beck didn’t need a hit record to prove his genius. From the moment he unleashed his wild, expressive guitar playing with The Yardbirds in the mid-1960s, it was clear he wasn’t just another blues-rock guitarist—he was in a league of his own. While fellow Yardbirds alumni Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page went on to dominate the mainstream with Cream and Led Zeppelin, Beck took a different path, always pushing boundaries rather than chasing radio success.
By the time the 1980s rolled around, however, Beck found himself more disillusioned than ever with the music industry. The era was defined by polished production, synth-heavy sounds, and a corporate-driven music scene that had little room for his brand of raw, experimental guitar work. While Beck had already embraced jazz fusion in the 1970s, finding an outlet for his complex and emotive playing, the new decade left him cold.
“The 80s Weren’t My Time”
Looking back on the decade, Beck didn’t mince words about his disdain for the industry. “The 80s weren’t my time,” he admitted in an interview with Classic Rock.
“I wasn’t going to try to sell anything about me, whether it was old, new, or surreal, tomorrowland music, because it was hopeless. The whole musical playground was a joke.”
To Beck, the industry had become overrun with executives who had more influence than the artists themselves. “The record label execs were more important than the acts; even the bloody retailers were snorting coke and telling you how to play guitar. Bollocks to that.”
For someone like Beck—who lived for innovation and authenticity—the rigid formulas and overproduced pop hits of the decade were unbearable. However, despite his strong feelings about the era, there were two artists who managed to break through his wall of cynicism.
The Two Artists Beck Admired in the 80s
Amidst a sea of music he found uninspiring, Beck singled out two artists he genuinely respected: Prince and ZZ Top. “I liked Prince and Eliminator, and that was about it,” he said.
It’s no surprise that Beck had an appreciation for ZZ Top’s Eliminator. The Texas trio had modernized their blues-rock roots with slick production and synthesizers, but they still retained the grit and attitude of classic rock. Their music may have been radio-friendly, but at its core, it was still built on the kind of fiery guitar playing that Beck had always championed.
Prince, on the other hand, was a different kind of phenomenon. More than just a pop star, he was a boundary-pushing musical visionary whose guitar work was often overlooked in discussions of his genius. His fearless approach to genre-blending and his raw, electrifying performances made him a rare figure in an industry increasingly driven by image and commercial appeal.
Beck’s Legacy Beyond the 80s
Despite feeling alienated by the decade, Beck didn’t disappear completely. He released three solo albums in the 80s, though they didn’t achieve massive commercial success. His 1989 album, Jeff Beck’s Guitar Shop, initially seemed like another underappreciated gem, but over time, it became a major influence on countless guitarists. After taking a ten-year break from solo work, he returned in the late 90s with Who Else! and continued crafting groundbreaking music for the rest of his career.
Beck may not have fit into the glossy, MTV-driven world of the 80s, but his impact never faded. He remained a guitarist’s guitarist—respected, admired, and always true to his artistic vision. And while the decade wasn’t his favorite, at least Prince and ZZ Top gave him something to enjoy.
