Spotlight Artist: Jeff Beck

Every weekday between 1 and 5pm we play tracks from our #spotlightartist. They’re an artist with a body of work which has stood the test of time. We’ll play the hits – but also some deep cuts. Listen ad-free through New Zealand via @tunein at https://goo.gl/VL6m3N

Mr Geoffrey Arnold Beck was ranked fifth in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. He played with a few bands before being recruited by The Yardbirds, replacing Eric Clapton, on the recommendation of Jimmy Page who joined the band the following year. This was an incredible stamping ground and Beck’s almost two year stint produced some incredible music. Listening to their 1965 album Having A Rave Up is incredible with the blend of solid blues numbers, and the incredible “Heart Full of Soul” which contains Indian influences (the Indian sitar player had trouble producing the sound needed so Beck produced a sitar-like effect on his guitar).

Fired from the gruop late in 1966 he had several solo hits before forming the Jeff Beck Group, then in the early 1970s collaborating with bassist Tim Bogert and drummer Carmine Appice, releasing a studio and live album with them. Much of his later work is instrumental. We’ll feature songs ranging from the Yardbirds era right through to “Plan B” from his 2003 album Jeff.