Through a mutual friend, I and a mate got the chance to go to Jeff's house to play some songs we'd written. My mate is a competent rhythm guitarist but as soon as he started singing and playing our songs the reality of the situation hit me: here we were with one of the greatest guitarists in the world playing barely adequate acoustic licks and singing rather undistinguished songs to him. My flesh began to crawl with embarrassment but my mate seemed blissfully unaware and banged away on the guitar and kept singing. I tried to catch his eye after the third song to try and make the agony stop but he just moved on to the fourth and fifth song while Jeff did his best to look interested. Finally the whole excruciating experience came to an end. Jeff sat nodding for about fifteen seconds and then asked us if we'd like to go and check out some of the classic cars in his collection. What a gentleman. From then on, for the rest of the visit I could relax and enjoy his company. He was warm, friendly and fascinating about his cars. He kindly didn't mention the songs. RIP, Jeff.
Jeff recently gave his old sound recording desk to a young lad and got his studio engineer to set it up for him, how much! He would always be out and about in Wadhurst. He did a lot for the village. I had a lovely chat with him on more than one occasion, always had a good laugh too. I had a Rover 25 and it had done about 200 thousand miles on the clock ( Head gasket repaired, doors didn't lock, different colour wings, condensation and the seats were ripped to shreds where I put all my bass amps and guitars etc. basically knackered) He would always say, hello followed by, still got your Rover? It cracked him up, Jeff would always be out in his Corvette, Hot Rod or whatever and always had time for people. I love all of his albums and I would talk to him about the recent ones, rather than the old ones, he loved the fact I still bought his Cd's rather than just listen to them online. I last saw him a few months ago at a petrol station in Wadhurst, Alright, Where's the Rover? chuckle, chuckle. Gone to heaven Jeff... hope you have too Jeff. A great human being and a wonderful talented guitar player and musician. RIP Jeff.
RIP. A significant part of my youth gone to rock heaven, but the memories remain. Hi Ho Silver Lining may not be his best work but what fun it gave to millions of kids, and maybe still does. Thank you Jeff.
Sad news indeed. Great guitarist. Loved his collaboration with Stevie Wonder on Talking Book. His solo on ‘Lookin’ for Another Pure Love’, was one of my favourites of all time. “Do it Jeff!”
Jeff recently gave his old sound recording desk to a young lad and got his studio engineer to set it up for him, how much! He would always be out and about in Wadhurst. He did a lot for the village. I had a lovely chat with him on more than one occasion, always had a good laugh too. I had a Rover 25 and it had done about 200 thousand miles on the clock ( Head gasket repaired, doors didn't lock, different colour wings, condensation and the seats were ripped to shreds where I put all my bass amps and guitars etc. basically knackered) He would always say, hello followed by, still got your Rover? It cracked him up, Jeff would always be out in his Corvette, Hot Rod or whatever and always had time for people. I love all of his albums and I would talk to him about the recent ones, rather than the old ones, he loved the fact I still bought his Cd's rather than just listen to them online. I last saw him a few months ago at a petrol station in Wadhurst, Alright, Where's the Rover? chuckle, chuckle. Gone to heaven Jeff... hope you have too Jeff. A great human being and a wonderful talented guitar player and musician. RIP Jeff.
Wadhurst seems to be a hot bed of Charlton fans.
Remember being on a train to stonegate before moving to Wadhurst and some bloke ranting because he missed his Wadhurst stop (due to short platform at Wadhurst and back 4 carriage doors not opening).
Was a regular occurance but on this occasion was surprised to see the poor commuter was Jeff Beck looking every bit the rock legend. Wished I'd offered him a lift back to the village now but bottled it at the time.
Was walking my dog down his road at the weekend and chatting to my missus about him. Very sad news.
Jeff recently gave his old sound recording desk to a young lad and got his studio engineer to set it up for him, how much! He would always be out and about in Wadhurst. He did a lot for the village. I had a lovely chat with him on more than one occasion, always had a good laugh too. I had a Rover 25 and it had done about 200 thousand miles on the clock ( Head gasket repaired, doors didn't lock, different colour wings, condensation and the seats were ripped to shreds where I put all my bass amps and guitars etc. basically knackered) He would always say, hello followed by, still got your Rover? It cracked him up, Jeff would always be out in his Corvette, Hot Rod or whatever and always had time for people. I love all of his albums and I would talk to him about the recent ones, rather than the old ones, he loved the fact I still bought his Cd's rather than just listen to them online. I last saw him a few months ago at a petrol station in Wadhurst, Alright, Where's the Rover? chuckle, chuckle. Gone to heaven Jeff... hope you have too Jeff. A great human being and a wonderful talented guitar player and musician. RIP Jeff.
RIP
His car collection is amazing, especially the hot rods - did all the work on them himself - a very competent mechanic by all accounts - gorgeous house as well
My favourite memory was a story told of when Hendrix was creating a storm on the London scene, and every guitarist from every famous band turned up to see what the fuss was about. I think it may have been Pete Townsend and Eric Clapton we’re walking down the steps into a club as Jeff Beck was coming up the other way, Pete asked Jeff “is he any good?” and Jeff replied “no don’t bother he’s rubbish!” He had a great sense if fun and it showed in his music and when asked what he meant by his Hendrix comment he explained it was because “he was doing all the things he wanted to do”.
He changed my life all those years ago when we first met and he showed me the world, his magical world.
I found in him a kindred spirit,
someone I felt at ease and totally myself with but also someone I looked up to and was thrilled to impress.
He inspired, supported, and encouraged me with every whoop, cheer, gasp and tear when I sang with him whether on stage, studio or sitting in his kitchen or mine.
He was the genius in the room
yet he made everyone else
around him feel special.
We talked for hours and celebrated often
I ran to him and Sandra each time I needed saving. And how they saved me.
His enthusiasm for life was immense.
He was full of fun, excitement, wit, plans, laughter, brilliance, creativity, love, heart!
This world class coolest motherfucker somehow kept the boy in him alive,
the obsessed boy in the bedroom that couldn’t leave a guitar out of his hands
was always there.
He was dedicated to making pure art.
He was responsible for many bands, collaborations and influenced so many
by creating his own sound
that will outlive us all
but he was still creating, still challenging himself, always innovative and pushing boundaries with every album he made.
Each solo he played could perfectly swing from classical to rock, jazz to Middle Eastern, badass to tender.
Comments
A significant part of my youth gone to rock heaven, but the memories remain.
Hi Ho Silver Lining may not be his best work but what fun it gave to millions of kids, and maybe still does.
Thank you Jeff.
“Do it Jeff!”
Remember being on a train to stonegate before moving to Wadhurst and some bloke ranting because he missed his Wadhurst stop (due to short platform at Wadhurst and back 4 carriage doors not opening).
Was a regular occurance but on this occasion was surprised to see the poor commuter was Jeff Beck looking every bit the rock legend. Wished I'd offered him a lift back to the village now but bottled it at the time.
Was walking my dog down his road at the weekend and chatting to my missus about him. Very sad news.
His car collection is amazing, especially the hot rods - did all the work on them himself - a very competent mechanic by all accounts - gorgeous house as well
He had a great sense if fun and it showed in his music and when asked what he meant by his Hendrix comment he explained it was because “he was doing all the things he wanted to do”.