Good Bye Joe Beck

[Ameyerson]

Joe Beck, one of the most legendary Jazz guitar and session players in New York passed away yesterday after battling lung cancer.
He was one of my closest friends when I was starting out as a young assistant engineer in the 70's. When I was battling drug addiction Joe was always there as a patient ear and when I realized I ready for help I called Joe at 4 in the morning. Joe helped arrange a rehab for me to go to the next day. I must have called him 100 times that first month. Although, he was uncomfortable witht he word "sponser" at the time, I consider him my first sponser.
I'm now 24 years sober and truly believe that had Joe not been in my life, I would not be here.
You will never hear a sweeter tone than Joe.
Check out some of his recordings.
Hug your kid.
Alan

[river]

Sad to hear, Joe was a great player, and sounds like an even greater friend. Condolences.

[Rich Pell]

I remember listen to him play on vinyl .He was a great player.. R.I.P. Joe...

[Sigma]

he was a Philly guy... RIP

[Mike O]

I'm sorry to hear of the loss of your friend.

I remember like it was yesterday walking into a record shop and hearing an album that was then as I recall it 'Beck' (later I belive retitled w/different artwork 'Beck/Sanborn'). Around 1975. REALLY nice, understated playing, with truly great tone and to most of the world an introduction to David Sanborn.

Later I came to appreciate that unlike many that would come to play in the genre of that record, Joe could and did play just about anything and what a great, influential musician he was over many decades.

Steve Kahn has a nice tribute to Joe on his site - NEWS - Steve Khan

I'm going to find that record and play it today.......

[Ameyerson]

Mike,
I used to work at Sigma in Manhattan all the time. One of my favorite rooms.

2 quick Joe stories. One time when we were all still getting loaded I was an assistant at a studio at 723 7th ave called "Counterpoint" (owned by another Philly great, Jerry Ragovoy) I think it was "77.
We were doing a late night rhythm session. Joe was playing. At 3 in the morning he decided he needed Jack Daniels.
He sent me, at the time an 18year old kid, out into the streets of Hells Kitchen with a hundred dollar bill and instructions to not come back without the booze.
I finally found a Bodega willing to sell me booze at 3 in the morning. I though they were going to kill me.
I got back and all Joe could say was "What the F**k took you so long.

[henryrobinett]

I'm so sorry to hear that. Joe was a monster guitarist. I think he was the first guitarist to play with Miles during his early electric days. I don't think he ever received his props.

RIP Joe Beck!

[Sigma]

Originally Posted by Ameyerson

Mike,
I used to work at Sigma in Manhattan all the time. One of my favorite rooms.

2 quick Joe stories. One time when we were all still getting loaded I was an assistant at a studio at 723 7th ave called "Counterpoint" (owned by another Philly great, Jerry Ragovoy) I think it was "77.
We were doing a late night rhythm session. Joe was playing. At 3 in the morning he decided he needed Jack Daniels.
He sent me, at the time an 18year old kid, out into the streets of Hells Kitchen with a hundred dollar bill and instructions to not come back without the booze.
I finally found a Bodega willing to sell me booze at 3 in the morning. I though they were going to kill me.
I got back and all Joe could say was "What the F**k took you so long.

Jerry Ragovoy..wow another philly dude .."time is on my side" lol whatta hit! [stones remake] and all those janis joplin songs

I prob woulda liked joe..JD at 3am on a session in the old days? yeah man!

[joeq]

When I was a student at NYU, they used to have free lunch hour concerts in the student union building. I saw a lot of great performances, but seeing Joe Beck play with Chico Hamilton there was one that really stayed with me. What a great player, I always followed his career and agree that he often did not get the recognition he deserved.

[GlennR01]

Jeez, terrible news. Worked with him back in the day at old Sigma NYC as well. Again, the privilege of a long life is witnessing the great ones pass away. Bad for you Alan and sad for all of us. Condolences.

[mikymike]

Originally Posted by Ameyerson

Mike,
I used to work at Sigma in Manhattan all the time. One of my favorite rooms.

2 quick Joe stories. One time when we were all still getting loaded I was an assistant at a studio at 723 7th ave called "Counterpoint" (owned by another Philly great, Jerry Ragovoy) I think it was "77.
We were doing a late night rhythm session. Joe was playing. At 3 in the morning he decided he needed Jack Daniels.
He sent me, at the time an 18year old kid, out into the streets of Hells Kitchen with a hundred dollar bill and instructions to not come back without the booze.
I finally found a Bodega willing to sell me booze at 3 in the morning. I though they were going to kill me.
I got back and all Joe could say was "What the F**k took you so long.

Jerry Ragovoy, that guy is a character!!! I built him a desk for a Control 24 and accidentally called him Mr. Vagabond. I thought he was going to have a stroke!!!