Entertainment
Ozzy Osbourne leads tributes to late guitarist Jeff Beck following death aged 78: ‘I can’t express how saddened I am’-Lucy Norris-Entertainment – Metro
It was announced on Wednesday night that he had died peacefully on January 10.
Ozzy Osbourne said farewell to his rockstar friend in a sweet last message (Picture: Getty Images)
Ozzy Osbourne led the outpouring of tribute messages for rock veteran Jeff Beck who died suddenly aged 78 ‘after contracting bacterial meningitis’.
Grammy-winning guitarist Beck rose to prominence with rock band The Yardbirds and went on to have a successful solo career, fronting the Jeff Beck Group and Beck, Bogert & Appice.
It was announced on Wednesday night that he had died peacefully on January 10.
Lead singer of Black Sabboth and Prince of Darkness Ozzy was quick to share his grief on Twitter after hearing the heartbreaking news.
Above two black and white pictures of the star posing alongside Beck, the 74-year-old explained to fans what an ‘honour’ it was to have known the guitarist.
He wrote: ‘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.
The late guitarist died suddenly according to his family members (Picture: PA)
‘Long live #JeffBeck.’ (sic)
Fellow Black Sabboth band member Tommy Iommi also shared his condolences atop a picture of the pair together: ‘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’.
The guitarist was once part of the rock group the Yardbirds with Eric Clapton (Picture: Getty Images)
Among the other musical stars sharing their statements of sorrow on social media, former Yardbirds member and bandmate Jimmy Page typed: ‘The six stringed Warrior is no longer here for us to admire the spell he could weave around our mortal emotions. 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.’ (sic)
Rolling Stones’s Ronnie Wood uploaded a gallery of images with the late rockstar and said: ‘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.
Beck created an album with Johnny Depp before he died (Picture: PA)
‘Musically, we were breaking all the rules, it was fantastic, groundbreaking rock ’n’ roll! Listen to the incredible track ‘Plynth’ in his honour. Jeff, I will always love you. God bless.’ (sic)
Country singer Leann Rimmes commented: ‘so sad to hear of the passing of a legend… my sweet, unique, insanely gifted friend @jeffbeckmusic what an honor it was to share the stage with you, to create with you… there’s no one like you. #ripjeffbeck #RipLegend #jeffbeck.’ (sic)
News of the star’s death was announced via a statement posted to Twitter and Instagram by the musician’s family.
It 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.’
Trailblazing guitarist Beck was born Geoffrey Arnold Beck in Wallington, England to parents Arnold and Ethel Beck and developed a passion for music as a child.
Beck was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice – first as a member of The Yardbirds in 1992 and later as a solo artist in 2009.
During the course of his career, he won a total of eight Grammy awards.
He made headlines last year when he announced a collaborative album with actor Johnny Depp.
The pair first met in 2016 and began recording the album in 2019 while Depp was also playing with Alice Cooper’s supergroup Hollywood Vampires.
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