British guitarist Jeff Beck, seen here during a show in 2013 in Los Angeles, died on January 10, 2023 at the age of 78
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KEY POINTS

  • Rod Stewart said Jeff Beck was one of the few guitarists who listened and responded to him when he sang.
  • ZZ Top, David Gilmour and Buddy Guy remembered Beck as their good friend
  • Johnny Depp and some rocks stars reportedly visited Beck's bedside before he died

Many celebrities are mourning following Jeff Beck's passing.

Beck, the popular and influential British guitarist, passed away Wednesday. His family confirmed the news on his official website. He reportedly passed away "peacefully" after a sudden battle with bacterial meningitis.

Several celebrities immediately took to Twitter to express their grief following the celebrity's passing, including Rod Stewart, Mick Jagger and more.

"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," Stewart wrote on Twitter, along with a photo of him and the late musician.

He added, "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."

"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," Jagger wrote along with a video of him onstage performing with the legendary guitarist.

"RIP Jeff Beck. Having trouble processing this," Steven Van Zandt tweeted along with photos of him with Beck and Johnny Depp. "Not only was he a major influence, and his genius an infinite source of joy my entire lifetime, he was in great spirits when we spoke a few weeks ago having done a flawless show with Johnny the night before at the Capitol. Unreal."

Buddy Guy also shared his grief following the loss. According to him, he lost a friend, and it is "crushing" him. He also sent his prayers to his friends and fans around the world.

ZZ Top also said they "mourn the loss of Jeff Beck." The band described the guitarist as a "brilliant musician and friend."

More celebrities took to social media to celebrate Beck's life and music. Several also shared how he touched their lives.

The sad news was also announced on Beck's official Twitter account, along with a photo of him performing on stage.

"On behalf of his family, it is with deep and profound sadness that we share the news of Jeff Beck's passing," the message read. "After suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis, he peacefully passed away yesterday. His family asks for privacy while they process this tremendous loss."

The guitarist had been touring with actor-musician Depp in the United Kingdom. The "Pirates of the Caribbean" star had been performing with Beck following his major victory in his defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard.

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An unnamed source told People that Depp visited the English's guitarist bedside with "some other rock stars" before his death. He was reportedly "totally devastated."

"They had a really tight friendship, they were extremely close, and he got even closer over this past summer when they were touring together," the source said. "The sickness came on really quickly, and it all deteriorated rapidly in the last couple [of] weeks."

British pop star Rod Stewart, pictured perfoming at New York's Madison Square Garden in 2018, is to appear in a Florida court on February 5, 2020, charged with simple battery
British pop star Rod Stewart, pictured perfoming at New York's Madison Square Garden in 2018, is to appear in a Florida court on February 5, 2020, charged with simple battery GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Michael loccisano
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