Guitar legend Jeff Beck has died at the age of 78. A statement was released on his social media pages.

“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 asks for privacy while they process this tremendous loss.”

Beck has been a major influence over his 50+ year career. Beck is a two-time inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was inducted as a member of The Yardbirds in 1992 and as a solo artist in 2009.

Beck won 8 Grammy awards over his remarkable career and is considered one of the greatest guitar players of all-time.

Beck released his final album in 2022 titled ‘18’ which was a collaboration with actor Johnny Depp.

Beck, who was born in England, influenced generations of musicians and was known as the guitar player's guitar player. Beck first came to prominence as a member of the Yardbirds before a solo career that incorporated hard rock, jazz, funky blues and opera.

Beck was among the rock-guitarist pantheon that included Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and Jimi Hendrix. He was known for his improvising, love of harmonics and the whammy bar on his preferred guitar, the Fender Stratocaster.

His first hit single, Beck's Bolero, released in 1967, featured future Led Zeppelin members Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, and future Who drummer Keith Moon.

The Jeff Beck Group with Rod Stewart singing was later booked to play the 1969 Woodstock music festival but their appearance was cancelled.