Photographs by Ana Gibert

One of the most important guitarists of the last 100 years, Jeff Beck played with many of the most successful acts since the 1960s, and made a name for himself as an individual artist, though he never achieved the superstar level in his own group.
Based in the blues, Beck veered off in directions both known and unknown, breaking ground in jazz and rock with regularity. He cited his own heroes as Les Paul, Ravi Shankar, Chet Atkins, Django Reinhardt, Steve Cropper, Lonnie Mach and John McLaughlin a clear hint to his wide influences. How else to explain his collaborations with such diverse artists as the Yardbirds, Herbie Hancock, Mick Jagger, Rod Stewart, Kelly Clarkson, Imelda May, Toots and the Maytals. and friggin’ Johnny Depp?

Grammy-nominated 16 times, Beck won eight Grammys and regularly appeared on “Best” lists around the world. He was inducted into the Rock Hall twice, once as a member of the Yardbirds, and once on his own. Never one to chase the spotlight, bright lights found him nonetheless, and Beck often chose not to play the celebrity, as many sharply discovered.
Beck played every major festival and hall in the world—photographer Ana Gibert caught him here at Bonnaroo—but I was lucky enough to see him at the Iridium, a club in Times Square that was home to Les Paul but held only about 200 people. Gary U.S. Bonds and Brian Setzer came up to join Beck and Imelda May in their show, a tribute to Les Paul. Also in the audience, Keith Richards and David Bowie and probably many more household names I couldn’t identify, but we all had one thing in common: we gave Jeff Beck standing ovations, over and over again.

Our heads may be bowed, but Jeff Beck, we’re on our feet for you, one last time.