Book Review: ‘Blow By Blow: The Jeff Beck Story’ By Brad Tolinski And Chris Gill

by | Jul 13, 2026 | Books | 0 comments


The book is in stores on Tuesday, July 14th. Click on the link to buy a copy. https://amzn.to/4pfrdyU

When we think of a Rock ‘n Roll legend, we usually envision arenas packed with screaming fans and a decadent lifestyle filled with groupies, endless parties, and mansions. We don’t tend to think of a tortured artist toiling for decades in search of perfection and capturing the music they hear in their head. As authors Brad Tolinski and Chris Gill detail in this book, the toiling perfectionist label fits guitar legend Jeff Beck much better than decadent party animal. And perhaps no writers are better positioned to write about Beck than the two long-time music journalists from “Guitar World” magazine.

It’s not surprising when a list of greatest guitarists is published without Jeff Beck’s name. Always listed are Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, and Eddie Van Halen (about whom the two authors wrote, “Eruption: Conversations with Eddie Van Halen”). However, the writers at Rolling Stone magazine placed Beck fifth on their 2023 list, and, as foolish as it seems to try to rank great guitarists, any list omitting Beck cannot be considered legitimate. Although his long-time girlfriend, British model Celia Hammond and his wife (at the time of his death) Sandra Cash are mentioned in the book, the focus is on Jeff Beck’s never-ending search for music perfection (as if it exists), rather than any semblance of his personal life not involving music or cars.

The book does an extraordinary job of taking us on Beck’s non-linear musical journey. It’s impossible to place one label on his music or style, yet all of the following apply: rock, jazz, jazz fusion, R&B, blues, instrumental, and progressive. The authors recount Beck’s early influences, while understanding that the most effective approach is allowing Beck’s story to speak for itself. Was he a key piece of rock supergroup The Yardbirds? Well, yes, he was … and they fired him. Did he seem to prefer instrumental music? Well, yes, he did … yet he also recorded with legendary vocalist Rod Stewart, as well as many others. Has anyone ever opted NOT to join the Rolling Stones? Well, yes, Jeff Beck decided it wasn’t for him.

A (usually friendly) rivalry with Eric Clapton is understandable, as are friendships with Jimmy Page and Ronnie Wood. As the chapters passed in the book, I couldn’t help but wonder if the authors put together a flow chart of fellow musicians Beck played with, toured with, or recorded with. It’s a veritable ‘who’s who’ of music beginning in the 1960’s. We learn an early spark occurred for Beck while watching Little Richard in THE GIRL CAN’T HELP It (1956) and listening to Gene Vincent play guitar. Still, his constant drive for the sound he wanted was an internal trait that didn’t always sit well with band members and music producers, much less the labels that pushed him for mainstream/accessible songs.

Attempts to reconcile, or make sense, of Jeff Beck’s life and career are fruitless. It’s best to let the music speak … or the words on this book’s page. Beck is a man who jammed on stage with rock royalty, traded pranks with Les Paul, played with Jagger at the White House, and had a complicated history with the great Stevie Wonder over the classic song, “Superstition”. The book goes into detail on that messy situation, while ending with the confirmation that Johnny Depp was one of only two humans graveside at Beck’s burial. The two men had become close friends and recorded an album together … Beck’s last.

Authors Tolinski and Gill worked diligently to help us understand what drove Jeff Beck, and how he often created his own obstacles to success by sticking to his methods. Beck had successful solo albums (“Blow by Blow”, “Wired”), won multiple Grammy Awards, and was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (with The Yardbirds, and as a solo act), yet his mainstream popularity never reached the level of his talent. Should you doubt his place as a music legend, simply take time to read the tributes paid to him upon his death by the long list of music legends you likely have on your playlist. Better yet, just take the time to read this book and appreciate the commitment Jeff Beck maintained for his art.

David Ferguson
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