January 13, 2025

Hope everyone is having a good start to the New Year and prayers for everyone in Los Angeles. What a mess of a fire going on there.

My favorite band has always been the Rolling Stones but favorite musician and guitarist goes to Jeff Beck who passed away two years ago already. January 10, 2023 was a shocking and sad day when we suddenly lost Jeff.

I was lucky enough to meet and photograph Jeff in my senior year of high school (1972) when I worked for the Bugle American newspaper as a music photographer here in Milwaukee.

The Seigal Schwall band from Chicago opened the show for Jeff and became friends as they played Milwaukee a lot.

I believe Corky Seigal introduced me to Jeff who was the most humble and nicest musician I've ever met.  He could play a Fender Stratocaster better than anyone. Jeff didn't sing and let his guitar do all the work.

Photographed Jeff a lot through the years and I was lucky to be part of his BECK01 book a few years back. Copy number 10 of the very limited run is signed and in our house here with 5 of my photographs in it.

On January 22 in London a live stream of Jeff's vast guitar collection is going up for auction by Christies Auction House. It is sad, but good that they will all be played and appreciated again. The catalog book is for sale.  It's amazing and an education to learn about Jeff's history with his guitars.

I last saw Jeff at the Chicago Theater on October 23, 2022 not realizing that it would be the last time. I photographed him six times and saw him a few more times just to enjoy the show.

So here are a few photographs of Jeff and the band through the years. It's hard to pick a favorite. More photographs are on my website of course in the Rock category. Miss you my friend. Enjoy a look at the best guitarist ever.

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann