Geoffrey “Jeff” Arnold Beck has passed away at the age of 78, according to a statement from his family.

The English rocker — who was born on June 24, 1944 — rose to fame as a member of the Yardbirds and later fronted the Jeff Beck Group and Beck, Bogert, and Appice. His skills as a guitarist landed him a spot in the top five of Rolling Stone’s top 100 guitarists of all time — ranking above Eddie Van Halen, B.B. King, and Chuck Berry.

A statement was released on Wednesday confirming the musician’s death and stating that he had passed after a brief and sudden battle with bacterial meningitis.

“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. His family ask for privacy while they process this tremendous loss,” it 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. His family ask for privacy while they process this tremendous loss. pic.twitter.com/4dvt5aGzlv

— Jeff Beck (@jeffbeckmusic) January 11, 2023

Fans quickly rushed to Twitter to share their memories and express their thoughts in the wake of the news.

“Few things captured my musical imagination as a teen than the Jeff Beck/Jimmy Page lineup of the Yardbirds, which lasted all of about 5 minutes but absolutely f***ing smoked. RIP,” Jay Jaffe tweeted.

“OMG, this is a shocker,” Doug Sovern added. “The legendary Jeff Beck, one of the all-time guitar greats, dies suddenly at 78. ‘Blow By Blow’ remains one of my most-played albums of all time.”

KISS’ Gene Simmons encouraged fans to listen to Beck’s music and remember him. “Heartbreaking news to report the late, great Jeff Back has sadly passed. No one played guitar like Jeff. Please get ahold of the first two Jeff Beck Group albums and behold greatness. RIP,” he said.

“I was totally shocked to hear the very sad news of Jeff Beck’s passing. Jeff was such a nice person and an outstanding iconic, genius guitar player – there will never be another Jeff Beck. His playing was very special & distinctively brilliant! He will be missed. RIP Jeff -Tony,” Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi shared his thoughts as well as a personal photo.

“Oh, My Heart…RIP, Jeff…I miss you already…” Whitesnake’s David Coverdale tweeted.

Oh, My Heart…RIP, Jeff…I miss you already…💔💔💔💔💔

Jeff Beck, Guitar Virtuoso and Blues-Rock Innovator, Dead at 78 – Rolling Stone https://t.co/oJ2O1vqbDk

— David Coverdale (@davidcoverdale) January 11, 2023

Beck had just recently completed a tour alongside actor Johnny Depp. Over the course of his career, he racked up 17 Grammy nominations and eight wins.

The Biden White House announced Wednesday that it is extending the COVID public health emergency for another 90 days following increased cases of the latest subvariant.

The announcement extends the public health emergency into April, marking the twelfth extension since it was first set in place by then-President Donald Trump in 2020, allowing millions of Americans to remain eligible for Medicaid benefits.

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has committed to giving state leaders and healthcare executives a 60-day notice before allowing the action to expire.

Millions of Americans could lose health insurance under Medicaid when the extension expires. Enrollment has increased by an additional 24 million Americans since the start of the policy. The Daily Wire previously reported that Medicaid enrollment is expected to hit the 100 million mark soon, according to a recent report.

The renewal occurs as subvariant XBB.1.5 comprises more than 70% of COVID cases in the Northeast and 28% nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As of January 4, an average of 67,000 daily positive cases were recorded, with 390 COVID-related daily deaths.

The CDC’s COVID-19 Integrated County View for reporting shows that nearly 75% of the nation’s counties are considered at high risk for community transmission.

The increased coronavirus, flu, and RSV cases have led to a growing number of schools and other locations returning to masking. The Ann Arbor Public School system in Michigan reintroduced a two-week mask mandate from January 9-20 following increased illnesses in December.

“During this time of return from travel and social activities, the requirement of masks while indoors at school is a measure to reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses and related absenteeism and to prioritize health and in school learning, particularly at this transition time following winter break,” Superintendent Jeanice Swift wrote.

Some schools in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania have also returned to required indoor mask-wearing.

Other school systems, such as Chicago Public Schools, asked students and staff to test themselves for COVID before returning to school.