Tuesday, June 30, 2026

RIP Shocker Famed Guitarist Jeff Beck Dead at 78 from Bacterial Meningitis, Recently On Tour with Johnny Depp for New Album

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Legendary rock guitarist Jeff Beck has died at age 78. The music world is bereft. Beck was a genius player, incredibly popular and successful on his own and with groups. He was a lontime collaborator with Rod Stewart. Recently, Beck had been on tour with Johnny Depp for an album they made together.

He won eight Grammy Awards for his magnificent talent and had another eight nominations.

Beck’s family posted this to Twitter: ‘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.”

His death is indeed a tremendous loss. He first became popular with the Yardbirds, had his own Jeff Beck Group, and then was part of Beck, Bogert & Appice. Then he went out on his own as an axe man extraordinaire. There are dozens of albums, recordings, guest star roles on albums. His fans each have favorites but mine was always his rendition of “People Get Ready.” with Rod.

This is really, really sad. Condolences to his family, friends, and legions of fans.

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Roger Friedman
Roger Friedman
Roger Friedman is the founder and editor-in-chief of Showbiz411. He wrote the FOX411 column on FoxNews.com from 1999 to 2009, where he covered Michael Jackson, and previously wrote the "Intelligencer" column at New York magazine in the mid-1990s, where he covered the O.J. Simpson trial. He also edited Fame magazine. His bylines have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the New York Daily News, the New York Post, Vogue, Details, and the Miami Herald. He is a voting member of the Critics Choice Awards (Film and Television branches), and his movie reviews are tracked by Rotten Tomatoes. With D.A. Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus, he co-produced the 2002 documentary "Only the Strong Survive," which screened at Directors' Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival.

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