Jeff Beck, the late rock guitarist, was a towering figure. During the 1960s, he formed a trio of excellent guitarists with friends Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page, and he significantly impacted many. Their musical journey took them through The Yardbirds, a pioneering psychedelic band that exemplified the decade’s musical creativity.
Beck improved his skills after leaving The Yardbirds, developing a distinct finger-picking approach that is featured in some of his most cherished pieces. ‘Beck’s Bolero,’ for example, is an unusual instrumental collaboration with Page. His performance of ‘Hi Ho Silver Lining‘ demonstrates his cultural significance even more.
As a result of his artistry, Beck was in a unique position to evaluate the work of other guitarists. He frequently expressed respect for diverse performers. In a 2022 interview with Music Radar, he lauded British jazz prodigy John McLaughlin, calling him “unrivaled.” This wasn’t Beck’s first time showering praise on McLaughlin. In a 2010 Uncut interview, he declared him “the best guitarist alive.”
“Things took a funny turn in the early ’70s,” Beck explained. “It all worked out when I heard John McLaughlin, because his performances on the Miles Davis Jack Johnson album and with the Mahavishnu Orchestra said, ‘Here’s where you can go.'” Every artist I knew raved about them. ‘This is a small bit of myself,’ I thought. ‘Give me some of that.’ The mastery of the game was unparalleled.”
Beck’s significance should not be underestimated. Jimi Hendrix, a musician whom Jeff Beck fiercely respected, openly acknowledged Beck’s immense talent through his admiration. Billy Gibbons, guitarist of ZZ Top, found himself intrigued by the sheer virtuosity of Jeff Beck’s guitar playing and deeply admired his 1968 album, Truth.
“The one I remember him playing the ass off on was the first Jeff Beck Group album, Truth,” Gibbons remarked. Hendrix was furious, completely outraged by Jeff’s performance. Interestingly, Hendrix was all too eager to include blues licks in his arsenal of guitar performances. This had gone out of favor with most black musicians in the United States.
Guitar superstars like Beck and Hendrix rose to prominence at a time when blues-infused rock ‘n’ roll was at its peak worldwide. While Beck regarded Hendrix as the greatest guitarist of their generation, he held other musicians in high regard for their various styles and approaches. This reflects his talent as a student of the greats.
