• Jeff Beck passed away on Tuesday.
• Beck was born in Surrey, England, on June 24, 1944.
• Beck was ranked No. 5 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists in 2015.

Jeff Beck, a British guitar prodigy who became famous through The Yardbirds, passed away on Tuesday. He was 78.

“We are sharing the news of Jeff Beck’s passing on behalf of his family, and we do so with the deepest sorrow possible. He quietly died away yesterday after unexpectedly developing bacterial meningitis, according to a statement his family shared on Twitter on Wednesday.

The message added, “His family ask for privacy as they absorb this enormous loss.”

A representative for Beck who was contacted by Post declined to make any additional comments.

Beck, a two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and eight-time Grammy winner, was born in Surrey, England, on June 24, 1944.

Beck took Eric Clapton’s position in March 1965 and began his brief but enjoyable 20-month tenure with The Yardbirds.

The band’s biggest songs, such as “Heart Full of Soul,” “Evil Hearted You,” “Over Under Sideways Down,” and a rendition of Bo Diddley’s “I’m a Man,” were all recorded while he was a member, despite the fact that he only released one album with them, “Over Under Sideways Down.”

Due to his lack of attendance, as well as his perfectionism and short fuse, Beck was let go from the band during a US tour.

The Jeff Beck Group was founded by him in January 1967. Aynsley Dunbar on drums, Rod Stewart on vocals, Ronnie Wood on bass, Nicky Hopkins on piano, and other members of the original group eventually made up the final lineup.

The night before Woodstock 1969, Beck disbanded the group, a decision he would come to regret.

In 1970, the band reassembled with Alex Ligertwood on vocals, Max Middleton on keyboards, Cozy Powell on drums, and Clive Chaman on bass.

With The Yardbirds in 1992 and as a solo performer in 2009, Beck received induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Six Grammys for Best Rock Instrumental Performance, one for Best Pop Instrumental Performance, and one more for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals were won by him.

In support of their 2022 album “18,” Beck and Johnny Depp recently finished a tour. Beck was ranked No. 5 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists in 2015.

Gene Simmons, the vocalist and bassist for KISS, tweeted: “Heartbreaking news to say late, great Jeff has sadly died.” Jeff was the best guitar player ever. Please obtain the first two Jeff Beck Group albums to witness excellence. RIP.”

“I was shocked to learn of the tragic and abrupt passing of great guitarist Jeff Beck. Everyone he knew, including guitarists, adored him! Paul Young, a British artist, posted his sympathies to the man’s family and friends.

“When I learned the very terrible news of Jeff Beck’s passing, I was completely taken aback. Tony Iommi, guitarist for Black Sabbath and a founding member, tweeted that Jeff was a wonderful person and a brilliant guitar player.

“Jeff Beck won’t ever be matched. His playing was exceptionally unique and amazing in every way! We will miss him. R.I.P. Jeff

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