‘BECK IS BACK’

In this excerpt from his interview in Guitar Player’s October 1968 issue, Jeff Beck illuminates his time in the Yardbirds and his plans for the future.

How did you happen to join up with the Yardbirds?

Well, Giorgio Gomelsky appeared on the scene when I was playing at a club, and after the set we talked about a job he had for me with a new group. I said, “No, go away, you nasty little man!” and after that I joined the group and Giorgio became my manager. The group turned out to be the Yardbiirds. I thought, ‘Well this is interesting,’ because I had heard so much about them. I did my first job with them at the Marquee Club and about blew the place apart.

I decided to stay on, and about two weeks later we had a number one record. But that first night with them was something else. I had four days to learn their tunes. They gave me their album, I’m a Man. After that it was like rags to riches.

What were your feelings about the Yardbirds?

Well, when I joined the Yardbirds I got the impression they just wanted my playing to enhance the group as much as possible. Right, so I just worked on the whole set until we got it down so great that we started bringing in bits of destruction to illustrate a point. Like an action painting — we all threw our guitars at it.

As one of the first to ever use feedback, fuzztone and the destruction routine, what do you think would be the next thing for you?

I think I contributed my fair share to the business, right? So move on and make way for Eric, Jimi and the rest. The next album is going to be much further ahead, but not too far, because the Yardbirds were too far ahead of their times. Like, now groups all over the country are playing like the Yardbirds were playing. Maybe a bit better, more articulate and musically more sound, but it is still the same formula.

With your own playing, what do you feel will be your greatest change?

Well, I’ve been in a stage of stagnation waiting to see what direction guitarists are going to take. Eric has made a name for himself in England and so has Jimi Hendrix, so my addition only seems to make things worse. I sort of stayed at a level, this semi-blues bit. Now I know exactly what this thing is, and I am about ready to develop my new thing.

Can you give us a hint as to the direction you will be taking?

It’s making the noises people like to hear. My media is to put sounds across.