Jeff Beck dies aged 78: Ozzy Osbourne leads celebrity tributes trends now

Jeff Beck dies aged 78: Ozzy Osbourne leads celebrity tributes trends now
Jeff Beck dies aged 78: Ozzy Osbourne leads celebrity tributes trends now

Jeff Beck dies aged 78: Ozzy Osbourne leads celebrity tributes trends now

Ozzy Osbourne, Jimmy Page and Gene Simmons led the tributes from the world of music following the shock death of iconic British rocker Jeff Beck aged 78.

The rock star, who just weeks ago finished touring with Johnny Depp, passed away 'peacefully' on Tuesday, his agent revealed on Wednesday night - after  'suddenly' contracting bacterial meningitis. 

Black Sabbath star Ozzy, 74, who collaborated with Beck on 2022 single Patient Number 9 and A Thousand Shades, shared a poignant snap of the pair with Slash and Ronnie Wood.

He wrote: 'I can’t express how saddened I am to hear of @JeffBeckOfficial’s passing. What a terrible loss for his family, friends and his many fans. 

Tragic loss: Ozzy Osbourne led the tributes from the world of music following the shock death of iconic British rocker Jeff Beck aged 78

Tragic loss: Ozzy Osbourne led the tributes from the world of music following the shock death of iconic British rocker Jeff Beck aged 78

'It was such an honor to have known Jeff and an incredible honor to have had him play on my most recent album, Patient Number 9. I’ll remember him fondly. Long live #JeffBeck.

Legendary Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, 79, who played alongside one another in psychedelic rock band The Yardbirds and collaborated on 1966 instrumental, Beck's Bolero, posted a photo of Beck alongside an emotional message,

He wrote: 'The six stringed Warrior is no longer here for us to admire the spell he could weave around our mortal emotions. 

Much-missed: Legendary Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, 79, who played alongside one another in psychedelic rock band The Yardbirds and collaborated on 1966 instrumental, Beck's Bolero, posted a photo of Beck alongside an emotional message

Much-missed: Legendary Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, 79, who played alongside one another in psychedelic rock band The Yardbirds and collaborated on 1966 instrumental, Beck's Bolero, posted a photo of Beck alongside an emotional message

Iconic: Beck is pictured in 1965 with his Yardbirds bandmates Chris Dreja, drummer Jim McCarty, lead vocalist Keith Relf and bassist Paul Samwell-Smith

Iconic: Beck is pictured in 1965 with his Yardbirds bandmates Chris Dreja, drummer Jim McCarty, lead vocalist Keith Relf and bassist Paul Samwell-Smith 

Rockers: Beck is pictured with Robert Plant and Page in 1983

Rockers: Beck is pictured with Robert Plant and Page in 1983

Kiss icon Gene Simmons, 73, tweeted: 'Heartbreaking news to report the late, great Jeff Back has sadly passed. No one played guitar like Jeff. Please get ahold of the first two Jeff Beck Group albums and behold greatness. RIP.'

Kiss icon Gene Simmons, 73, tweeted: 'Heartbreaking news to report the late, great Jeff Back has sadly passed. No one played guitar like Jeff. Please get ahold of the first two Jeff Beck Group albums and behold greatness. RIP.'

'Jeff could channel music from the ethereal. His technique unique. His imaginations apparently limitless. Jeff I will miss you along with your millions of fans. Jeff Beck Rest in Peace. 

Kiss icon Gene Simmons, 73, tweeted: 'Heartbreaking news to report the late, great Jeff Back has sadly passed. No one played guitar like Jeff. Please get ahold of the first two Jeff Beck Group albums and behold greatness. RIP.'

Musician Paul Young, 66, wrote: 'Devastated to hear of the sudden and tragic death of legendary guitarist Jeff Beck. He was loved by everyone in the know; the guitarists guitarist! My condolences to his family & friends RIP.'

Spandau Ballet rocker Gary Kemp, 63, wrote: 'An absolute god of guitar. No one can replace him. From rock to soul to jazz he was the greatest player in all genres. Unique. Such awful news but thank you Jeff for all you gave us.'

Beck's  family shared the heartbreaking news of his death on his Twitter page along with a picture of the star on stage with his trademark shades and guitar.

It comes just weeks after the former Yardbirds star finished a transatlantic tour with Depp as they promoted their debut album '18'. The album is nominated for three Brit Awards in the UK.

RIP: Rolling Stones star Ronnie Wood shared an emotional post

RIP: Rolling Stones star Ronnie Wood shared an emotional post 

The pair became close friends in recent years and were seen drinking out in Britain together late last year.

A statement from Beck's agent read: 'On behalf of his family, it is with deep and profound sadness that we share the news of Jeff Beck's passing.

'After suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis, he peacefully passed away yesterday. His family ask for privacy while they process this tremendous loss.'

Beck first came to prominence as a member of the Yardbirds and then went out on his own in a solo career that incorporated hard rock, jazz, funky blues and even opera.

He was known for his improvising, love of harmonics and the whammy bar on his preferred guitar, the Fender Stratocaster.

'Jeff Beck is the best guitar player on the planet,' Joe Perry, the lead guitarist of Aerosmith, told The New York Times in 2010. 'He is head, hands and feet above all the rest of us, with the kind of talent that appears only once every generation or two.

Devastating: Pink Floyd star David Gilmour shared a beautiful throwback snap with Beck

Devastating: Pink Floyd star David Gilmour shared a beautiful throwback snap with Beck

Rock on: Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi shared a post in memory of Beck

Rock on: Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi shared a post in memory of Beck

Beck was among the rock-guitarist pantheon from the late ´60s that included Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and Jimi Hendrix.

Beck won eight Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice - once with the Yardbirds in 1992 and again as a solo artist in 2009.

He was nominated for a 2023 Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song for his work on Ozzy Osbourne's Patient Number 9.

He was ranked fifth in Rolling Stone magazine´s list of the '100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.'

Beck played guitar with vocalists as varied as Luciano Pavarotti, Macy Gray, Chrissie Hynde, Joss Stone, Imelda May, Cyndi Lauper, Wynonna Judd and Buddy Guy.

He made two records with Rod Stewart - 1968's 'Truth' and 1969's 'Beck-Ola' - and one with a 64-piece orchestra, 'Emotion & Commotion.'

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