Jack White recalls performing with “guitar innovator extraordinaire” Jeff Beck: “He was amazingly kind”

Mick Hutson/Redferns

Jack White has shared a tribute to late guitar icon Jeff Beck, who died Tuesday at age 78.

In an Instagram post, the White Stripes/Raconteurs/Dead Weather rocker writes, “Jeff Beck, guitar innovator extraordinaire has moved to the next realm.”

“He was amazingly kind and instructional to me over the years,” White continues. “Many shows that I’ve played began moments after listening to his song ‘Led Boots’ backstage.”

White’s post also includes a video of him and Meg White performing with Beck during a 2002 White Stripes show in London, during which they performed a set of songs by Beck’s legendary group The Yardbirds.

“In our rehearsals he plugged straight into an amp, no effects pedals,” White recalls. “He was changing the sound of the guitar and doing things people didn’t know were possible from his earliest days on stage.”

Beck’s passing has been mourned by many of the biggest names in rock. Those who’ve also paid tribute include Led Zeppelin‘s Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, Ozzy Osbourne, Mick Jagger and Paul McCartney.

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