Jeff Beck, considered by many fans and musicians as being one of the faces on the “Mt. Rushmore” of guitarists, has passed at age 78.

Announced on his official Twitter account, the post read, “On behalf of his family, it is with deep and profound sadness that we share the news of Jeff Beck’s passing. After suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis, he peacefully passed away yesterday,” reads a statement from his rep. “His family ask for privacy while they process this tremendous loss.”

Beck was the definition of “rock legend”, from his early days in the Yardbirds when he replaced Eric Clapton, to his own Jeff Beck Group which featured Rod Stewart as lead vocalist, to his varied projects through his entire career, he was name-checked by almost every rock guitarist of note for the last half-century. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice – first as a member of the Yardbirds in 1992.