10 Years Ago Today: The World’s Greatest Living Rock Guitarist Performs In Vancouver

Exactly a decade ago today, on October 27, 2011, the world’s greatest living rock guitarist performed at the Vancouver Center for the Performing Arts.
His name is Jeff Beck, in case you didn’t know. And if you knew, maybe you were there.
To jog your memory, here is my review.
British guitar legend Jeff Beck wowed the sold-out crowd at the Vancouver Center last night, performing his layered renditions of everything from The Beatles’ “A Day in the Life” to The Wizard of Oz‘s “Over the Rainbow”.
But his incredible licks wouldn’t have sounded so good without the superb support of a crack band made up of former bassist Prince Rhonda Smith, keyboardist Jason Rebello and monster drummer Narada Michael Walden.
Beck performed clips from his latest Grammy-winning album last year Emotion and restlessness, but also went back to the 70s Step by step period for his magnificent adaptation of “Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers” by Stevie Wonder. Another highlight was his uplifting rendition of Jimi Hendrix’s âLittle Wingâ.
As a reminder, Beck returned to the stage wearing a brownish Les Paul, then performed a swing tune in homage to his creator, whose playing in the 1950s first inspired Beck to take to music in the first place. . Thanks again for that, Mr. Paul.
I realized as Beck was spinning his magic that I was a very lucky dog, having watched him play for five different decades. I saw him in the ’70s on tour with Aerosmith at the Seattle Kingdome, in the’ 80s with Rod Stewart at the Pacific Coliseum, in the late ’90s at the Queen E. Theater, in 2000-something at the Commodore, and then again last night.
If you’ve never seen Jeff Beck live, I suggest you put him on your bucket list. Or at least go out and buy a copy of Wired.
Jeff Beck Video – Pork Pie Hat