The ultimate guitarist of guitarists, the late Jeff Beck was a visionary. Similar to Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page, Beck began his career as a member of The Yardbirds and went on to become one of the greatest virtuosos in history through his illustrious career.
With his work with Beck, Bogert & Appic, and the Jeff Beck Group, the guitarist established a new approach that highlighted the beautiful legato of his instrument. With his mostly instrumental recordings, Beck created a sound that verged on the sublime. His ability to make his guitar sing was unmatched by anyone else.
When musicians are asked to name their favorite guitarists, Beck’s name almost always makes the list, and his impact on rock music is undeniable. Still, he was a fan at heart, just like the rest of us, and he did have his favorites.
It’s hard to imagine Beck idolizing another guitarist, given the flawless talent flowing through his veins. However, he once identified his all-time favorite guitarist—someone who seemed devoted to his instrument and whom many believed he had begun learning in utero.
More myth than man, Beck is the guitar hero. Hendrix deserves his fame. With his innovative playing, he single-handedly revolutionized rock and roll and established a completely new style of electric guitar. Even after five decades, many revere him as the peak of musical genius, solidifying his place as the greatest guitarist of all time. He is none other than the legendary Jimi Hendrix.
Just before the release of the album that would become his signature, Are You Experienced, Beck was introduced to Hendrix. Beck once described those glorious times in London during the swinging ’60s, saying, ‘I saw Jimi live at an underground club just before this came out. He recalled, “It was probably a folk singer that the Dollybirds in Biba clothes were expecting, but he came on and blew the house down.”
Beck went on, “It shook Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, and me. We were all unsure of what we would do for a living because he was so talented.
It was obvious right then and there that Hendrix was going to become a superstar. The three ex-Yardbirds were as knowledgeable about rock ‘n’ roll as all of Britain put together, so something pretty special had to have happened for them to be all blown away.
When Hendrix made his grand entrance, they were all at the top of the British music scene. However, after just one show, it became clear that he belonged at the top table with them. Guitarists such as Beck, Page, and Clapton absorbed influences from their peers. However, Hendrix appeared to be completely self-generating, drawing from an unseen, higher plane.
Hendrix, for instance, said, “I wasn’t influenced by Jeff Beck,” in response to the question of whether he respected Beck as much as Beck admired him. He only released one record, “Shapes of Things,” which I thought was good. I enjoyed it after listening to it. After digging through everything, you must come up with original ideas. You’ll get dizzy from too much digging and not enough action.
That quotation sums up Hendrix’s brilliance all by itself. Playing in backing bands for years allowed the American to carefully develop his musicianship. This freedom allowed him to craft a completely original approach to playing. This helped to refine his style. Hendrix fully exploited the electric guitar’s unique sonic qualities in his playing. This approach had a big impact on Beck’s compositions. Clapton, on the other hand, played his electric guitar similarly to an acoustic.
For instance, Beck masterfully employs feedback in “Shape Of Things” to produce sumptuous sound textures. These textures imitate the spiritual intensity of the drones found in traditional Indian ragas. Yes, Beck’s career-long pursuit of an expansive and exploratory sound may have sounded very different without Hendrix.
The overwhelming outpouring of love that Beck experienced after his death in 2023 says a lot about the legacy he left behind. Notably, Page declared: “We can no longer marvel at the magic the six-stringed Warrior could conjure around our mortal emotions. He is no longer with us.” Jeff could summon ethereal music. His method is distinct. His imagination seems to have no bounds. Jeff Together with your millions of fans, I will miss you.
Unfortunately, many people don’t get the appreciation they merit until after they pass away, and Jeff Beck has solidified his status as a musical legend. Still, Hendrix acknowledged that he lived in a world apart from that of common people like himself.
