Jeff Beck, one of the most innovative and influential guitarists of the rock era, died Tuesday at the age of 78 following a sudden illness, according to a statement released on 1/11.

“On behalf of his family, it is with deep and profound sadness that we share the news of Jeff Beck’s passing,” reads the statement posted on jeffbeck.com. “After suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis, he peacefully passed away yesterday. His family asks for privacy while they process this tremendous loss.”

Beck’s playing with The Yardbirds, The Jeff Beck Group and Beck, Bogert & Appice, as a sideman and on his own, blurred the lines among rock, blues, jazz and funk as he explored the nuances of the Fender Stratocaster, the guitar he helped make iconic.

The trailblazing guitarist was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice, first as a member of The Yardbirds in 1992 and as a solo artist in 2009. Beck received eight Grammys and recorded with such artists as Stevie Wonder, Buddy Guy, Ozzy Osbourne, Tina Turner and Mick Jagger. He was widely regarded by his peers and fans as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, thanks to his ability to make the impossible sound effortless.

“He was a great soul who did great music,” Stevie Wonder told the Detroit Free Press.

The two first met in 1972 when Wonder was working on Talking Book. Beck wound up doing the guitar solo on “Lookin’ for Another Pure Love.”

“I said to him, ‘Why don’t you play on this?’ He thought that would be great. He laid one part down, then another part and another part. It was just amazing.”

“He gave it such a mixture—sort of a jazz feel with a bluesy feel, with the chord structure he took from what I had done. It was great. He put his touch on it. It was just really cool.”

Beck would then record three more of Wonder’s songs: “Superstition,” “Cause We’ve Ended as Lovers” and “Thelonius.”

1/2
Jeff Beck was on another planet . He took me and Ronnie Wood to the USA in the late 60s in his band the Jeff Beck Group
and we haven’t looked back since . pic.twitter.com/uS7bbWsHgW
— Sir Rod Stewart (@rodstewart) January 11, 2023

2/2
He was one of the few guitarists that when playing live would actually listen to me sing and respond .
Jeff, you were the greatest, my man . Thank you for everything . RIP
— Sir Rod Stewart (@rodstewart) January 11, 2023

ðŸ™Now Jeff has gone, I feel like one of my band of brothers has left this world, and I’m going to dearly miss him. I’m sending much sympathy to Sandra, his family, and all who loved him. I want to thank him for all our early days together in Jeff Beck Group, conquering America. pic.twitter.com/UareDAdtZ9
— Ronnie Wood (@ronniewood) January 11, 2023

His technique unique. His imaginations apparently limitless. Jeff I will miss you along with your millions of fans. Jeff Beck Rest in Peace.https://t.co/4h1DfXXmWI
— Jimmy Page (@JimmyPage) January 11, 2023

With the death of Jeff Beck we have lost a wonderful man and one of the greatest guitar players in the world. We will all miss him so much. pic.twitter.com/u8DYQrLNB7
— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) January 11, 2023

I’m heartbroken he looked in fine shape to me. Playing great he was in great shape. I’m shocked and bewilderedDeepest sympathy to his wife friends close ones I’m bewildered Jeff Beck it don’t make sense I don’t get it. He was a good friend and a great guitar player
— Dave Davies (@davedavieskinks) January 11, 2023

I am devastated to hear the news of the death of my friend and hero Jeff Beck, whose music has thrilled and inspired me and countless others for so many years.
Polly‘s and my thoughts go out to his lovely wife Sandra.
He will be forever in our hearts. pic.twitter.com/369rHU7BCX
— David Gilmour (@davidgilmour) January 11, 2023

I’m so sad to hear about Jeff Beck passing. Jeff was a genius guitar player, and me and my band got to see it close up when we toured with him in 2013. One of the highlights we did was “Danny Boy” – we both loved that song. Love & Mercy to Jeff’s family. pic.twitter.com/eZFHpHgiKt
— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) January 11, 2023

With the death of Jeff Beck we have lost a wonderful man and one of the greatest guitar players in the world. We will all miss him so much. pic.twitter.com/u8DYQrLNB7
— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) January 11, 2023

"When I was 16 years old, The Spiders, who became the original Alice Cooper band, opened for the Yardbirds. That night I experienced the greatest guitar player I had ever heard. Half a century later Jeff Beck is still the greatest guitarist, PERIOD…. pic.twitter.com/awwMOXOJDm
— Alice Cooper (@alicecooper) January 12, 2023

The loss of our friend Jeff Beck is crushing. All our love and prayers go out to his family, his friends, and his fans around the world. Until we meet again, Jeff. - Team BG pic.twitter.com/579qviqPSc
— Buddy Guy (@TheRealBuddyGuy) January 12, 2023

Jeff Beck was punk rock before punk existed and one of the most inventive guitar players of all time. He set a very high bar for all of us who followed. His legend will live on.

The Edge.
— U2 (@U2) January 12, 2023

I can’t express how saddened I am to hear of @JeffBeckMusic’s passing. What a terrible loss for his family, friends & his many fans. It was such an honor to have known Jeff & an incredible honor to have had him play on my most recent album, #PatientNumber9.
Long live #JeffBeck pic.twitter.com/hG6O9tzfij
— Ozzy Osbourne (@OzzyOsbourne) January 11, 2023

Jeff Beck was the Salvador Dali of guitar, to see him play was to hear the ultimate 6 string alchemist create magic in a world of its own. With his passing, the world is a poorer place. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to Sandra. We share your sorrow.

Photo by: @RossHalfin pic.twitter.com/dpoCf9q8EO
— Joe Perry (@JoePerry) January 12, 2023

I met Jeff Beck when I was 17 and I was glad to know a guy like that, a guy who was able to show me how this guitar playing thing should be approached and that’s still very much the case. Jeff was a wondrous soul and we already miss him tremendously.
@jeffbeckmusic #JeffBeck pic.twitter.com/qW8R0b7pCz
— Billy F Gibbons (@BillyFGibbons) January 12, 2023

I am saddened by the news of Jeff Beck’s passing. Here’s a clip of a video I did with him in ‘85. It was this video that really paved the way for the success of my hit, Soldier of Love.

I’ll always be grateful to Jeff for that opportunity.

RIP, my friend. pic.twitter.com/7FTDYMLp3r
— Donny Osmond (@donnyosmond) January 12, 2023

Jeff Beck w/ Jan Hammer Live At The Hollywood Bowl - Blue Wind https://t.co/8PT9Yfpg8X The pair had a fascinating simpatico - for a brilliant, brief time, in the 70s, post Mahavishnu Orchestra. A kind of Futurist Fusion Blues.
— Vernon Reid (@vurnt22) January 12, 2023

RIP Jeff Beck. A pioneer and one of the all time greats. #jeffbeck pic.twitter.com/h7bTL3ZaxA
— Johnny Marr (@Johnny_Marr) January 11, 2023

Jeff Beck was a genius, a stunning original. He was an astounding guitar player with more ways to make you go, “WTF was that?” than anybody else. He was profoundly talented, and never stopped innovating on the instrument. R.I.P. Jeff.. https://t.co/stKn1RPWIN pic.twitter.com/59INhJ0LzK
— Joe Satriani (@chickenfootjoe) January 12, 2023

I just heard the sad news that the great virtuoso guitarist, Jeff Beck, has died.
He was one of my heroes. I was fortunate to meet him recently and I’m very grateful now that I was able to tell him how much I admired his musical skill.
This is the end of an era.
R.I.P
Billy Joel pic.twitter.com/Z5RTEDJcuu
— Billy Joel (@billyjoel) January 12, 2023

I was totally shocked to hear the very sad news of Jeff Beck’s passing. Jeff was such a nice person and an outstanding iconic, genius guitar player - there will never be another Jeff Beck. His playing was very special & distinctively brilliant! He will be missed. RIP Jeff -Tony pic.twitter.com/i6BGdqTUKU
— Tony Iommi (@tonyiommi) January 11, 2023

We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Jeff Beck, one of the greatest ever. Our thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends. ðŸ™ðŸ»ðŸŽ¸ pic.twitter.com/NOoNn9aZ6W
— Thorogood&Destroyers (@thorogoodmusic) January 12, 2023

Farewell to the phenomenal #guitarist #JeffBeck who has graced us with his #music since the 60's. One of the best in the world & an incredible inspiration to so many guitarists including myself. Peace to his family & friends. As always, his music will live on forever. #RIP pic.twitter.com/0t0FCHYAqC
— Randy Bachman (@RandysVinylTap) January 12, 2023

So, now when someone asks me “Who’s your favorite guitarist — living or dead?” I will say what I always say: “I can’t answer that.” But my very short list will include Jeff. There will never be another Jeff Beck. RIP. pic.twitter.com/upQSSaJVQj
— Warren Haynes (@thewarrenhaynes) January 12, 2023

pic.twitter.com/87PODxtESF
— Robert Plant (@RobertPlant) January 12, 2023

I was so saddened to hear that Jeff Beck had died. Jeff Beck was a lovely man with a wicked sense of humour who played some of the best guitar music ever to come out of Great Britain. pic.twitter.com/2ggP3Lhpge
— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) January 12, 2023