Jeff Beck on learning from Les Paul: 'I wanted people to be blown away'
When Jeff Beck first heard the music of Les Paul, it set him off on a mission to master the guitar and in the process become one of the defining instrumentalists in British rock.
Last summer, Beck paid homage to the late pioneering guitarist on what would have been Paul’s 95th birthday at a concert in New York, documented on a recent DVD and CD, “Jeff Beck’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Party (Honoring Les Paul)” (ATCO). He teamed up with Irish singer Imelda May, who channeled the vibrant vocals of Paul’s old ‘50s sidekick (and then-wife), Mary Ford. Beck also dug into some of his other early influences in rockabilly and surf music, but the primary inspiration was Paul, whose unrivaled technique, melodic songwriting and innovative production remain Beck’s golden standard.
Beck took a break from rehearsals for his forthcoming tour, which brings him to the Cadillac Palace on Friday and Saturday with May’s band, for an email interview about his inspiration.
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