The Jeff Beck Group had seventeen members across two distinct bands. The first, formed in London in January 1967 by former Yardbirds guitarist Jeff Beck, settled on Beck, singer Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood (rhythm guitar, then bass), drummer Micky Waller and pianist Nicky Hopkins, and broke up in July 1969 on the eve of Woodstock. The second, formed in April 1970, was Beck with singer Bobby Tench (who replaced Alex Ligertwood), keyboardist Max Middleton, bassist Clive Chaman and drummer Cozy Powell, and was disbanded on 24 July 1972.
Here is every member of both groups, with roles and years as the band’s history records them.
Jeff Beck – Lead Guitar (1967–1969, 1970–1972)
Beck formed the group after leaving the Yardbirds and led both versions. He broke up the first band on the eve of the Woodstock festival, at which they were scheduled to play, believing they were not ready for it, and disbanded the second in July 1972 before moving on to Beck, Bogert & Appice.
Rod Stewart – Vocals (1967–1969)
Stewart was the first group’s singer throughout, from the 1967 club circuit through Truth (1968) and Beck-Ola (1969). He recommended his Steampacket bandmate Micky Waller as drummer.
Ronnie Wood – Rhythm Guitar, then Bass (1967–1969)
Wood joined on rhythm guitar and switched to bass once the line-up settled with Aynsley Dunbar on drums. He was dismissed in early 1969 and rehired almost immediately.
Nicky Hopkins – Piano (1968–1969)
Hopkins played piano on the 1967 “Beck’s Bolero” session and joined the touring band in December 1968 despite poor health, turning down more money from Led Zeppelin; he was a full member for the May 1969 U.S. tour.
Micky Waller – Drums (1967–1969)
Waller replaced Aynsley Dunbar at Stewart’s suggestion, played all through 1968 and early 1969, and was the first group’s longest-lasting drummer before Tony Newman took over.
Tony Newman – Drums (1969)
The “power drummer” who replaced Waller in early 1969 and played on Beck-Ola.
Other First-Group Members (1967)
- Jet Harris and Dave Ambrose – early bassists
- Clem Cattini and Viv Prince – drummers who tried out
- Aynsley Dunbar – drums, the first settled drummer, who left wanting a stricter blues set
- Ray Cook – drums, for one show after Dunbar left
The 1967 “Beck’s Bolero” recording also featured Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and Keith Moon as session players, not members.
Bobby Tench – Vocals (1971–1972)
After signing with CBS in June 1971, Beck heard Tench singing with his band Gass at Ronnie Scott’s club and hired him. Tench had a few weeks to learn the lyrics and add vocals to Rough and Ready, finished in July 1971, and sang on Jeff Beck Group (1972).
Alex Ligertwood – Vocals (1970–1971)
The second group’s original singer, from its formation in April 1970 until Tench replaced him in 1971.
Max Middleton – Keyboards (1970–1972)
Middleton played keyboards on both second-group albums and stayed with Beck into the line-up that became Beck, Bogert & Appice.
Clive Chaman – Bass (1970–1972)
Bassist for the whole of the second group.
Cozy Powell – Drums (1970–1972)
Drummer for the whole of the second group, including the Memphis sessions with producer Steve Cropper for Jeff Beck Group, released in the UK on 9 June 1972.
Jeff Beck Group Line-Up Changes at a Glance
- January 1967: Beck forms the group with Stewart and Wood; bassists and drummers change repeatedly before Dunbar settles in and Wood moves to bass.
- Late 1967: Waller replaces Dunbar.
- December 1968: Hopkins joins for live work.
- Early 1969: Newman replaces Waller.
- July 1969: Beck breaks up the band.
- April 1970: Second group formed with Ligertwood, Middleton, Powell and Chaman.
- 1971: Tench replaces Ligertwood.
- 24 July 1972: The group is officially disbanded.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who was in the Jeff Beck Group with Rod Stewart? Jeff Beck, Ronnie Wood, Micky Waller and Nicky Hopkins, with Tony Newman on drums for Beck-Ola.
- Why did the first Jeff Beck Group break up? Beck ended it in July 1969 on the eve of Woodstock, amid reported in-fighting, believing the band was not ready.
- Who sang in the second Jeff Beck Group? Alex Ligertwood at first, then Bobby Tench from 1971.
- What albums did the Jeff Beck Group make? Truth (1968), Beck-Ola (1969), Rough and Ready (1971) and Jeff Beck Group (1972).
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