Back in 2005, I had the amazing good fortune of meeting Jeff Beck here in Pittsburgh. While eating lunch with some coworkers in Market Square I noticed a group of 4-5 guys walking together, all dressed in black. In a sea of corporate polos and khaki pants they stuck out like a sore thumb. As I watched them walk through the square I noticed one individual looked incredibly familiar. The black spiked hair and of all things… his unmistakable nose made me say to my friends “Omg… that cannot be THE Jeff Beck over there.” I immediately got up from the table and started walking towards them for a closer look. I’m not the type of person who bothers famous people in public. I rode on a plane with Muhammad Ali and his wife once. Walked right past him in first class and didn’t say a word. It was enough just being in his presence and the man deserves his peace… BUT… this was another situation entirely. I’ve been a guitarist my whole life. Next to Eddie, this is the guy who inspired me the most. He’s always been light years ahead of everyone. Always surrounding himself with younger musicians, pushing the envelope of sound and tone, never afraid to go off on his own and set the bar. No one works a Strat trem like Jeff. The flutter and precision is unmistakable and unrivaled. So… once I get close enough to verify that this is indeed THE Jeff Beck, I slowly start stalking them like some 16 year old groupie. No shame in admitting that whatsoever. Once I reach them I can see that he’s in conversation with one of the guys in the group and I don’t want to just barge in and interrupt. I’m literally shaking, waiting for an opening. Btw… no one else around me even notices him at all. They’re standing in the presence of GOD and they haven’t the slightest clue. Finally, he sees me patiently standing next to them like a frightened schoolgirl so I slowly lean in and say “You’re Jeff Beck!” to which he says “Yes I am” So I quickly tell him how much I’ve admired him and his work for years and ask to shake his hand. He graciously says thank you and we shake hands. And the first thing that pops into my head is “That’s the thumb!” For those who don’t know, Jeff doesn’t use a pick. He plays with his thumb… and I just shook the hand of GOD in the middle of Market Square in Pittsburgh. It was a moment I’ll never, ever forget. And now he’s gone, and like many of you my heart breaks at the thought of never seeing him play ever again. But… I take solace in knowing that I can listen to him whenever I want and appreciate how much of an impact he had on my playing and my love of guitar and music. And I will always have that handshake… R.I.P. Jeff 💔🎸 This video is one I recorded of Jeff back in 2018 when he played Heinz Hall here in Pittsburgh. So glad I got to see him up close one last time.
Back in 2005, I had the amazing good fortune of meeting Jeff Beck here in Pittsburgh. While eating lunch with some coworkers in Market Square I noticed a group of 4-5 guys walking together, all dressed in black. In a sea of corporate polos and khaki pants they stuck out like a sore thumb. As I watched them walk through the square I noticed one individual looked incredibly familiar. The black spiked hair and of all things… his unmistakable nose made me say to my friends “Omg… that cannot be THE Jeff Beck over there.” I immediately got up from the table and started walking towards them for a closer look.
I’m not the type of person who bothers famous people in public. I rode on a plane with Muhammad Ali and his wife once. Walked right past him in first class and didn’t say a word. It was enough just being in his presence and the man deserves his peace… BUT… this was another situation entirely. I’ve been a guitarist my whole life. Next to Eddie, this is the guy who inspired me the most. He’s always been light years ahead of everyone. Always surrounding himself with younger musicians, pushing the envelope of sound and tone, never afraid to go off on his own and set the bar. No one works a Strat trem like Jeff. The flutter and precision is unmistakable and unrivaled.
So… once I get close enough to verify that this is indeed THE Jeff Beck, I slowly start stalking them like some 16 year old groupie. No shame in admitting that whatsoever. Once I reach them I can see that he’s in conversation with one of the guys in the group and I don’t want to just barge in and interrupt. I’m literally shaking, waiting for an opening. Btw… no one else around me even notices him at all. They’re standing in the presence of GOD and they haven’t the slightest clue. Finally, he sees me patiently standing next to them like a frightened schoolgirl so I slowly lean in and say “You’re Jeff Beck!” to which he says “Yes I am” So I quickly tell him how much I’ve admired him and his work for years and ask to shake his hand. He graciously says thank you and we shake hands. And the first thing that pops into my head is “That’s the thumb!” For those who don’t know, Jeff doesn’t use a pick. He plays with his thumb… and I just shook the hand of GOD in the middle of Market Square in Pittsburgh. It was a moment I’ll never, ever forget.
And now he’s gone, and like many of you my heart breaks at the thought of never seeing him play ever again. But… I take solace in knowing that I can listen to him whenever I want and appreciate how much of an impact he had on my playing and my love of guitar and music. And I will always have that handshake… R.I.P. Jeff 💔🎸
This video is one I recorded of Jeff back in 2018 when he played Heinz Hall here in Pittsburgh. So glad I got to see him up close one last time.
I was at this show last night. Go see him if you get a chance. Amazing.
Nice video that was a fun show.
how many seats were filled?
Baddddd Asssssss!
RockSchoolJim -- If you have any more clips from this show, please post them. Thanks.