JEFF BECK THE GUITARISTS’ GUITARIST

On the eve of his concerts with fellow ex-Yardbird Eric Clapton, we celebrate the 50-year career of one of rock’s all-time guitar greats. Interview, profile and discography by TIM JONES

Fans of the guitarist born Geoffrey Arnold Beck in June 1944, in Wallington, Surrey, have experienced eclectic styles, career hiatuses and cancelled concerts over the years, but they see such idiosyncrasies as part and parcel of their hero’s genius.

Jeff’s first album in six years, Emotion And Commotion, produced by Trevor Horn, and due via Rhino in April – sandwiched between February dates at London’s O2 with Eric, and a UK tour in October – is eagerly awaited. After all, Rolling Stone pointed out that Jeff is “one of the most influential lead guitarists in rock and has helped shape blues, rock, psychedelia and heavy metal”, while the All Music Guide added, “Beck is a genius, arguably the greatest rock guitarist of his generation (and, yes, that includes Hendrix)”.

Jeff’s look even inspired the basin-haired plankspanker, Nigel Tufnell, from This Is Spinal Tap, while Jeff himself turned down invitations to join John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Whitesnake and The Rolling Stones (having also been considered for Pink Floyd), choosing to remain solo, becoming the longest-serving recording artist on Epic in the process. Not bad for a young axe-slinger who began his musical sojourn during the post-war rationing years, listening to his hero Les Paul on the …

by TIM JONES
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