Jeff Beck

United Kingdom, 1965–2023

English guitarist (1944-2023), formerly of the Yardbirds. Working largely as an instrumentalist from Blow by Blow onward, he used fingers rather than a pick and extensive vibrato-arm control.

MusicRoots documents 4 artists who influenced Jeff Beck and 1 artist Jeff Beck influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Jeff Beck?

• The Yardbirds — Beck made his name in the Yardbirds — the blues-into-experiment guitar ethos he carried through his career.
• Les Paul — Les Paul was one of Beck's major influences — the electric-guitar innovator whose tone and technique he revered.
• Chet Atkins — Chet Atkins's fingerstyle mastery was among the guitarists Beck named as formative.
• Django Reinhardt — Django Reinhardt's jazz phrasing was among Beck's cited influences, feeding his melodic, expressive lead style.

Which artists did Jeff Beck influence?

• Lynyrd Skynyrd — Named by Gary Rossington among his guitar influences, with Hendrix, Clapton and Paul Kossoff.