Legendary British guitarist Jeff Beck is many things: an iconoclast, innovator, trailblazer, pioneer, musical genius, one-of-a-kind daring adventurer, a challenger, rule-breaker, envelope-pusher, simply brilliant musical force, as well as one of the most influential guitarists in musical history. In an incredible career than has covered more than a half century, Jeff Beck’s worldwide stature as one of the absolute greatest guitarists is carved in stone. Geoffrey Arnold Beck was born June 24, 1944 in Wallington, England, was first inspired to play at the age of six when he heard Les Paul’s 1951 recording of “How High the Moon,” which featured — along with Les’ incredible playing — many of his innovative recording techniques. By the late fifties, Jeff’s musical fascination led him to attempt building his own guitar so that he could play along to the recordings of his favorite players, such as Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps’ guitarist Cliff Gallup and blues legend B.B. King. By the early sixties, his interests expanded to the soul/R&B sounds of Steve Cropper and the futuristic blues soloing of Buddy Guy. Jeff joined his first band in 1963 at the age of 19, a Chiswick group called the Tridents, with whom he was given free-reign to develop his electrifying, no-holds-barred style within the realm of blues and R&B. Then in March of 1965, he was called on to replace England’s leading axeman Eric Clapton in the Yardbirds, with whom Beck would immediately cut a distinct profile via his cutting edge guitar work on seminal classics such as, “Over Under Sideways Down,” “Heart Full of Soul” and “Train Kept A’Rollin’,” among many others. In this accompanying audio interview, conducted following Beck’s 2010 tour opening for and performing with Eric Clapton, Jeff discusses candidly such topics as the complexity of his relationship with Clapton, the elements that contribute to his wide-ranging signature style, his experience as a member of the Yardbirds, the emergence of the Jeff Beck Group, the ground-breaking London scene in 1966 and his close friendship with Jimi Hendrix. The interview begins with Jeff revealing the nature of his past and present relationship with Eric Clapton…
Full Exclusive Audio Interview
SPRING 2015 | ISSUE 3