Born 24th June 1944 in Surrey, guitar legend Jeff Beck has had an erratic career, encapsulating all aspects of Hard Rock, Blues and Jazz. Seemingly more comfortable tinkering with his classic car collection than recording, Beck is nonetheless rated as one of the most talented guitar virtuosos around and included amongst the British "Big three" alongside JIMMY PAGE and ERIC CLAPTON. Beck retains the mystique and awe of fans but has never fully managed to capture lasting commercial success. Nevertheless, his albums still generate excited anticipation.

Jeff Beck began his career as a session guitarist before he joined the CYRIL DAVIS ALL STARS and THE TRIDENTS, but first came to prominence as the replacement for ERIC CLAPTON in THE YARDBIRDS in March 1965. Beck's stagecraft included playing the guitar with his teeth and behind his head, moves that would later become part of JIMI HENDRIX's repertoire.

For a just under a year Beck played alongside second guitarist JIMMY PAGE before quitting to go solo in December 1966. Beck had walked out on the YARDBIRDS mid way through an American tour and was rebuffed when he attempted to make a return.

Teaming up with noted producer Mickie Most he scored an immediate hit with the legendary 'Hi Ho Silver Lining'. The B side to this single was 'Beck's Bolero', written by Jimmy Page and recorded with a pre LED ZEPPELIN John Paul Jones and THE WHO's Keith Moon on drums.

Beck followed this up with a joint single with DONOVAN with'Goo Goo Barabajagel' and two more solo single successes, namely 'Tallyman' and 'Love Is Blue'. There was to be a follow up single 'Plinth'/'Hangman's Knee' (Columbia DB 8590), but this was never issued.

The first band Beck assembled consisted of ROD STEWART on vocals, ex CREATION / BIRDS guitarist Ron Wood, ex SHADOWS bassist Jet Harris and former PRETTY THINGS drummer Viv Prince. Following the release of the debut single Prince quit and was replaced by Ray Cook.

Before long Jet Harris quit as well, necessitating Wood switching to bass. The band appeared as guests on the 1967 ROY ORBISON / SMALL FACES tour, but was thrown off, after which Mickey Waller replaced Cook.

For the aforementioned debut album, entitled 'Truth', the band utilised the keyboard services of Nicky Hopkins. Line-up changes were afoot once more by the 'Cosa Nostra Beck-Ola' album in 1969 with ex SOUNDS INCORPORATED drummer Tony Newman was sitting behind the kit.

Beck opted to disband the group after Stewart and Wood quit to join the FACES, leaving Beck to team up with drummer CARMINE APPICE and bassist TIM BOGERT, who had both previously earnt solid reputations for themselves in VANILLA FUDGE.

A serious car accident put Beck out of action for a lengthy period however and Bogert and Appice formed CACTUS in his absence. By 1971 Beck was fit again and, signing to Epic, formed a new band comprised of vocalist Bob Tench, bassist Clive Charman, keyboardist Max Middleton and former SORCERERS / BIG BERTHA drummer COZY POWELL to record the 'Rough n' Ready' album.

Following the release of the eponymous CACTUS album in 1982 Beck once more united with Bogert and Appice as Charman and Tench formed HUMMINGBIRD and Powell went solo with COZY POWELL'S HAMMER.

BECK, BOGERT, APPICE released a self titled debut in 1973, a double live album recorded in Japan and 'Alive' in 1974. The band added ex CACTUS / ATOMIC ROOSTER singer Pete French and began recording the follow up to 'Alive', but the band fell apart in the studio.

Undeterred, Beck came to the fore again in 1975 with the George Martin produced 'Blow By Blow' album and began concentrating on instrumental jazz meanderings with keyboard wizard Jan Hammer.

A few years down the line and firmly in the 80s, between his own albums, Beck was invited to play on TINA TURNER's landmark 'Private Dancer' release of 1984 vintage, performing on both the title track and 'Steel Claw'.

The guitarist also made an onstage performance at the A.R.M.S. benefit concert alongside old pals JIMMY PAGE and ERIC CLAPTON. He also contributed guitar parts to COZY POWELL's 'Tilt' album. 'Flash' was produced by Nile Rodgers and features a cover version of CURTIS MAYFIELD's 'People Get Ready' with Rod Stewart on vocals, Carmine Appice on drums and Duane Hutchins on keyboards.

In a surprising development Jeff re-united with Jimmy Page in 1985 alongside former LED ZEPPELIN vocalist ROBERT PLANT and Nile Rodgers to form the HONEYDRIPPERS project, which score considerable success in America. HONEYDRIPPER's 'Sea Of Love' single reached Number Five in the US charts. Beck has since also contributed guitar to the first BOX OF FROGS album and JON BON JOVI's first solo album 'Blaze Of Glory'.

The 1993 album 'Crazy Legs' is a tribute to Rock n' roll star Gene Vincent.

Beck was the subject of a 1996 tribute album 'Beck-ology'. The guitarist picked up a prestigious Grammy Award from the American recording industry in February of 2002, scooping the honour for 'Dirty Mind' as 'Best Rock Instrumental'. The guitarist picked up his fourth Grammy accolade in 2004, with 'Plan B' from the album 'Jeff' the winner in the 'Best Rock Instrumental Performance' category once again. Noted ex-DOKKEN guitarist GEORGE LYNCH paid homage in 2004 with the inclusion of his cover take on 'Superstitious' included on his 'Furious George' album.

In September 2005 Beck revealed he had donated his talents to a cover version of seminal Punk classic 'Ever Fallen In Love', originally by THE BUZZCOCKS, as a tribute to the late Radio 1 DJ John Peel. Other contributors included LED ZEPPELIN's ROBERT PLANT, THE WHO's ROGER DALTREY, NEW ORDER's Peter Hook and PINK FLOYD's DAVID GILMOUR. Proceeds from the single went to Amnesty International.

Beck participated in a world record breaker with an act of charity later that year. In response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami disaster Canadian Rocker BRYAN ADAMS initiated the signing of a white Fender Stratocaster guitar by a host of guitar legends and Rock stars. Amongst the fellow signees would be LED ZEPPELIN's JIMMY PAGE, Angus and Malcolm Young of AC/DC, BRIAN MAY of QUEEN, Ritchie Blackmore of RAINBOW and DEEP PURPLE, members of DEF LEPPARD, Mick Jagger, Ronnie Wood and Keith Richards from the ROLLING STONES, ERIC CLAPTON, DAVID GILMOUR, TONY IOMMI of BLACK SABBATH, Pete Townshend of THE WHO, Mark Knopfler, Ray Davies, Liam and Noel Gallagher of OASIS, Paul McCartney, Sting, and BRYAN ADAMS himself. Quite incredibly the instrument was auctioned in November for a staggering $1.6 million dollars, proceeds of which went to the 'Reach Out To Asia' foundation.