The sad rock 'n' roll news shows no signs of abating with Jeff Beck, the guitar hero's guitar hero dying on Tuesday aged 78.

Word came through just before 10pm last night courtesy of his social media channels, which said that, "On behalf of his family, 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."

Introduced to R&B by Rolling Stone Ian Stewart, Beck formed his first band, Nightshift, in 1963 and became well-known on the London circuit for his prodigious talents. His big break came in 1965 when, on the recommendation of future Led Zep man Jimmy Page, he was drafted in to The Yardbirds to replace Eric Clapton.

After a 20-month tenure with The Yardbirds which included such hit singles as 'Heart Full Of Soul', 'Evil Hearted You'/'Still I'm Sad', 'Shapes of Things' and 'Over Under Sideways Down', he released Beck's Bolero, an instrumental album that found him joined in the studio by the aforementioned Jimmy Page, Keith Moon, John Paul Jones and Nicky Hopkins.

He scored a psychedelic pop hit with 1968's 'Hi Ho Silver Lining' – still a disco/sports stadium staple – and then released a trio of well-received Jeff Beck Group albums with Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood, Jet Harris, Aynsley Dunbar, Cozy Powell and Bobby Tench among the revolving cast of musicians. It speaks volumes that before this Pink Floyd had wanted him to replace Syd Barrett but were too frightened to ask him in case he said "no."

After a brief period of 1973/'4 supergroup-ery with Americans Tim Bogert and Carmine Appice, Jeff went on to play with everyone from Morrissey, Brian Wilson, Kelly Clarkson and Metallica to Donny Osmond, Imelda May, Ozzy Osbourne and Mick Jagger. That tip of the iceberg list shows just how versatile and intuitive a player Beck was. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice – first in 1992 for his work with The Yardbirds and then in 2009 as a solo artist. In 2014, he received the Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music. Most recently, he recorded a 2022 album with Johnny Depp, 18, that they'd been touring.

Among those paying tribute to him is fellow guitarist The Edge who notes that, "Jeff Beck was punk rock before punk existed and one of the most inventive guitar players of all time. He set a very high bar for all of us who followed. His legend will live on."

Echoing those sentiments, old pal Jimmy Page says: "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."

Former Communards Richard Cole describes him as "The Paganini of the Stratocaster" while Aerosmith's Joe Perry calls him "The Salvador Dali of guitar", both of which are fully warranted.

The volume of the tributes being paid to Beck is quite staggering and also includes:

I can’t express how saddened I am to hear of @JeffBeckMusic’s passing. What a terrible loss for his family, friends & his many fans. It was such an honor to have known Jeff & an incredible honor to have had him play on my most recent album, #PatientNumber9.
Long live #JeffBeck pic.twitter.com/hG6O9tzfij

— Ozzy Osbourne (@OzzyOsbourne) January 11, 2023

I met Jeff Beck when I was 17 and I was glad to know a guy like that, a guy who was able to show me how this guitar playing thing should be approached and that’s still very much the case. Jeff was a wondrous soul and we already miss him tremendously.
@jeffbeckmusic #JeffBeck pic.twitter.com/qW8R0b7pCz

— Billy F Gibbons (@BillyFGibbons) January 12, 2023

The guitar heroes guitar hero has gone off to join all the best players.
A true and loyal friend.
I’ll love you always Jeff,
Chrissie

— Chrissie Hynde (@ChrissieHynde) January 11, 2023

I’m so sad to hear about Jeff Beck passing. Jeff was a genius guitar player, and me and my band got to see it close up when we toured with him in 2013. One of the highlights we did was “Danny Boy” – we both loved that song. Love & Mercy to Jeff’s family. pic.twitter.com/eZFHpHgiKt

— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) January 11, 2023

🙏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. I’m sending much sympathy to Sandra, his family, and all who loved him. I want to thank him for all our early days together in Jeff Beck Group, conquering America. pic.twitter.com/UareDAdtZ9

— Ronnie Wood (@ronniewood) January 11, 2023

The loss of our friend Jeff Beck is crushing. All our love and prayers go out to his family, his friends, and his fans around the world. Until we meet again, Jeff. - Team BG pic.twitter.com/579qviqPSc

— Buddy Guy (@TheRealBuddyGuy) January 12, 2023

Jeff Beck was a genius, a stunning original. He was an astounding guitar player with more ways to make you go, “WTF was that?” than anybody else. He was profoundly talented, and never stopped innovating on the instrument. R.I.P. Jeff.. https://t.co/stKn1RPWIN pic.twitter.com/59INhJ0LzK

— Joe Satriani (@chickenfootjoe) January 12, 2023

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. pic.twitter.com/u8DYQrLNB7

— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) January 11, 2023

I am devastated to hear the news of the death of my friend and hero Jeff Beck, whose music has thrilled and inspired me and countless others for so many years.
Polly‘s and my thoughts go out to his lovely wife Sandra.
He will be forever in our hearts. pic.twitter.com/369rHU7BCX

— David Gilmour (@davidgilmour) January 11, 2023

RIP Jeff Beck. Having trouble processing this. 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. pic.twitter.com/D9g9mY8cNC

— 🕉🇺🇦Stevie Van Zandt☮️💙 (@StevieVanZandt) January 12, 2023

Heartbreaking news to report the late, great Jeff Back has sadly passed. No one played guitar like Jeff. Please get ahold of the first two Jeff Beck Group albums and behold greatness. RIP. pic.twitter.com/3qnPOCyhUj

— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) January 11, 2023

Such shocking news. Feel privileged to have known Jeff Beck, he stands next to Jimi Hendrix in pure, natural, mind blowing ability. A phenomenal guitarist. A true Star. RIP. 💔 pic.twitter.com/QaTwQf2BmY

— Simply Red (@SimplyRedHQ) January 11, 2023

Jeff Beck was the Salvador Dali of guitar, to see him play was to hear the ultimate 6 string alchemist create magic in a world of its own. With his passing, the world is a poorer place. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to Sandra. We share your sorrow.

Photo by: @RossHalfin pic.twitter.com/dpoCf9q8EO

— Joe Perry (@JoePerry) January 12, 2023

Sad news #JeffBeck passed on today …I saw him with Beck Bogart & Appice supporting Lou Reed in the UK in ‘72 RIP …glad I was alive to hear him play….sublime…

— Billy Idol (@BillyIdol) January 12, 2023

Jeff Beck… Legend. pic.twitter.com/unOceSUfSU

— Jon Bon Jovi (@jonbonjovi) January 12, 2023

The Paganini of the Stratocaster. RIP. #JeffBeck pic.twitter.com/q1erw2sEHf

— Richard Coles (@RevRichardColes) January 12, 2023

#jeffbeck was so generous to me and my bv singers Bryan, Billie and ⁦@LMarshallSinger⁩ that night at the UK Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. We met again in my dressing room years later and he was that same great man. 💔 pic.twitter.com/OWuSC2i5kR

— Beverley Knight💙 (@Beverleyknight) January 12, 2023

Rest in peace to one of the greatest guitarists of all time @JeffBeckMusic.

Jeff recorded countless times at Abbey Road, most notably his debut album ‘Truth’ beginning on 14 May 1968.

Our condolences go out to his family and friends.

📷 EMI photographer John Dove#JeffBeck pic.twitter.com/trTnwUcRno

— Abbey Road Studios (@AbbeyRoad) January 12, 2023

I am saddened by the news of Jeff Beck’s passing. Here’s a clip of a video I did with him in ‘85. It was this video that really paved the way for the success of my hit, Soldier of Love.

I’ll always be grateful to Jeff for that opportunity.

RIP, my friend. pic.twitter.com/7FTDYMLp3r

— Donny Osmond (@donnyosmond) January 12, 2023

Oh, My Heart…RIP, Jeff…I miss you already…💔💔💔💔💔

Jeff Beck, Guitar Virtuoso and Blues-Rock Innovator, Dead at 78 – Rolling Stone https://t.co/oJ2O1vqbDk

— David Coverdale (@davidcoverdale) January 11, 2023