Jeff Beck | Artist

Jeff Beck was an English rock guitarist born 1944 in Wallington, UK. One of the most influential guitarists in the history of rock music, Beck initially gained attention as one of the three noted guitarists to have played with the Yardbirds. In March 1965, after playing in a number of R&B groups, Beck was recruited by the Yardbirds to succeed Eric Clapton, on the recommendation of teenage friend and fellow session musician Jimmy Page. The Yardbirds recorded most of their hit songs during Beck's short but significant 20-month tenure with the band, plus he appears on the 1966 Yardbirds - Roger The Engineer album. Beck was fired from the Yardbirds during a US tour for being a consistent no-show and perfectionist with an explosive temper. In 1967, he recorded two solo singles for pop producer Mickie Most, "Hi Ho Silver Lining" and "Tallyman", which also included his vocals. His debut solo album Truth was released in 1968, which featured Rod Stewart (vocals) and Ron Wood (bass), who would go on to join Beck's next project, the Jeff Beck Group. Beck's commercial breakthrough came with the superb jazz/rock fusion album Blow by Blow (1975), and Wired the following year. Another departure from his solo career was the heavy rock outfit Beck, Bogert & Appice which Beck formed with ex-Vanilla Fudge bassist Tim Bogert and drummer Carmine Appice. That trio released one self titled studio album and a live album. Beck's album output varies greatly in style and quality, standouts include Truth (1968), Beck-Ola (1969), Rough and Ready (1971), Blow by Blow (1975) and Wired (1976), plus the live albums Performing This Week Live at Ronnie Scotts (2008) and Live at the Hollywood Bowl (2017). Also highly recommended is the 1991 compilation Beckology. While Beck was not the first rock guitarist to experiment with electronic distortion, he nonetheless helped to redefine the sound and role of the electric guitar in rock music. His work with the Yardbirds and the Jeff Beck Group were seminal influences on much of the rock music to emerge in subsequent decades. Beck was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice: as a member of the Yardbirds in 1992 and, again, as a solo artist in 2009.

Artist Website: jeffbeck.com

Featured Albums: Jeff Beck

Related Artists: Yardbirds, Jeff Beck Group, Beck Bogert & Appice, Rod Stewart

Video Clips: Beck's Bolero, Debut US TV Performance, Little Wing