How Did Jeff Beck Die: The Details Behind His Sudden Death

Table of Contents

Jeff Beck’s music defined a generation, as he was part of rock bands like the Yardbirds, the Jeff Beck Group, and Beck, Bogert & Appice before successfully embarking on a solo career. His innovative guitar playing influenced almost every guitarist that came after him.

With such classic hits as “Superstition” (1973), “Stroll On” (1967), and “You Shook Me” (1968) in the books, there is no doubt that this deceased rock star’s legacy will continue to live on for many years to come.

How did Jeff Beck die? What did Jeff Beck’s will say? Find out that and more below.

How Did Jeff Beck Die?

Jeff Beck’s cause of death was an infection after he contracted bacterial meningitis.

At the announcement of the “Freeway Jam” musician’s death, his family released a statement, saying, “It is with deep and profound sadness that we share the news of Jeff Beck’s passing. After suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis, he peacefully passed away yesterday. His family asks for privacy while they process this tremendous loss.”

Seeing that it was Jeff Beck’s cause of death, it’s unsurprising that many would want to know, “How does someone get bacterial meningitis?”

Meningitis is a bacterium that spreads when people come into close contact with others, particularly through the sharing of saliva or spit.

This is likely what caused Jeff Beck’s meningitis.

Other forms of bacterial meningitis, such as Haemophilus influenzae, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae, are spread between individuals by sneezing or coughing.

When Did Jeff Beck Die?

Jeff Beck passed away on January 10, 2023.

He is survived by his second wife, Sandra Cash. Although he had no children, the “‘Cause We Ended as Lovers” musician is survived by numerous friends, too.

Related: Celebrities Who Died in 2023

How Old Was Jeff Beck When He Died?

Jeff Beck was 78 when he passed away.

jeff beck performing guitar on stage — Image from Shutterstock.

Where is Jeff Beck Buried?

After Jeff Beck’s public and star-studded funeral, a private burial service was held on February 4, 2023.

He is buried in the grounds of his Wadhurst, East Sussex home.

Who Inherited Jeff Beck’s Money?

At the time of Jeff Beck’s death, the approximate net worth of Jeff Beck’s estate was around $18 to $25 million.

Since the “Spanish Boots” musician did not have any children to inherit his money, it is presumable that the bulk of Jeff Beck’s estate was left to his wife, Sandra, whom he married in 2005. There have been no specific reports regarding Jeff Beck’s will and what his final wishes were.

What Were Jeff Beck’s Last Words?

When someone is deceased, it’s the memories of their life, final moments, and last words that many hold dear. While fans don’t have any specific final words from their favorite rock star, they do have videos of his final stage performance in November 2022 alongside Johnny Depp, for which he received a standing ovation.

It’s the kind of video fans certainly appreciate, as one YouTube user wrote in the comments: “There will never be another like him. Thank you, Jeff, for a lifetime of amazing music. RIP.”

Is Jeff Beck the Greatest Guitarist of All Time?

While Jeff Beck isn’t the number one greatest guitarist of all time, he does rank extremely high on the list, according to Rolling Stone magazine. Their “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” list put Beck at number five. With it, the magazine called him “one of the most influential guitarists in rock.”

Aerosmith lead guitarist Joe Perry gives Beck the number one spot, however, telling The New York Times in 2010, “Jeff Beck is the best guitar player on the planet. He is head, hands, and feet above all the rest of us, with the kind of talent that appears only once every generation or two.”

Perry reaffirmed his sentiments following Jeff Beck’s death. “Jeff Beck was the Salvador Dali of the guitar. To see him play was to hear the ultimate six-string alchemist create magic in a world of its own. With his passing, the world is a poorer place.”

Who Came to Jeff Beck’s Funeral?

Jeff Beck’s funeral was held on February 3, 2023, at St. Mary’s Church in Beddington, Sutton.

It was a service that was chockful of many celebrity names, including but not limited to Sir Rod Stewart, Chrissie Hynde, founding member of The Pretenders, and David Gilmour of Pink Floyd, who all turned up to pay their respects.

Did Johnny Depp go to Jeff Beck’s funeral? Yes. The Pirates of the Caribbean actor and the late “Hi Ho Silver Lining” musician first met in 2016 and grew close quickly. By 2019, the pair started working on their collaborative studio album, 18, which was released in 2022.

An insider said of the unlikely collaborative duo, “They had a really tight friendship, they were extremely close, and [Depp] got even closer over this past summer when they were touring together,” the anonymous insider claimed. “The sickness came on really quickly, and it all deteriorated rapidly in the last couple weeks. Johnny is still processing this news. He’s devastated.”

Depp was the only one to reportedly be invited to the private burial service that followed the day after the funeral.

Did Eric Clapton attend Jeff Beck’s funeral? Again, the answer is yes, despite the often-looming question of did Eric Clapton like Jeff Beck.

While the two Yardbirds alumni were known to have a rivalry amongst them, there was no doubt that deep down, there was nothing but respect between the two. This was not only highlighted in Clapton’s presence at Jeff Beck’s funeral but also by his invitation to Beck in 1983 to perform alongside him at the Royal Albert Hall in London for the very first time.

jeff beck, steven tyler and sting playing a show on stage — Image from Shutterstock.

Who Was at Jeff Beck’s Bedside When He Died?

Several of Beck’s friends and fellow rockstars were reportedly at his bedside when he died. The most prominent was actor Johnny Depp, whom Beck had been living with during the former’s defamation trial against Amber Heard.

Following the trial’s end, Depp commented on Beck’s hospitality. He said, “For me, Jeff, very simply and kindly, Jeff and his wife, Sandra, just took me into their house, and I lived with them for months, and months and months,” Depp said. “And then we went on the first tour together, and so, for me, having had to deal with other things at the same time, once those things are down the road and you drop into the tour, well, it’s like you’re home. You’re home, and you feel at home. Like, where I feel I can actually be me.”

What Did Jimmy Page Say About Jeff Beck’s Death?

Jimmy Page was among the first celebrities to react to the legendary guitarist’s sudden death. He said of Beck, “The six-stringed Warrior is no longer here for us to admire the spell he could weave around our mortal emotions. Jeff could channel music from the ethereal. His technique, unique. His imaginations, apparently limitless. Jeff, I will miss you along with your millions of fans.”

Many other celebrities posted tributes to the Grammy-award-winning musician, including Rolling Stones‘ lead singer Mick Jagger and Beck’s former bandmate, Ronnie Wood.

“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.

In comparison, Woods stated, “Now Jeff has gone, I feel like one of my band of brothers has left this world, and I’m going to dearly miss him.”

Related: Mick Jagger’s Net Worth

Conclusion

Sometimes, death comes as a shock, and Jeff Beck’s passing was no exception. Illness can creep up on you from out of nowhere until suddenly you find that those you love have passed on. When it happens, all family and friends can do is be grateful for the time they had and be sure that their life and legacy live on for others to know.

We think it’s safe to say that will be the case for this legendary artist. Rest in Peace, Jeff Beck.