Look: Pop idols Jimmy Page and Rod Stewart pay tribute to guitarist Jeff Beck

Jeff Beck, the influential guitarist who rose to rock and roll stardom with 1960s supergroup the Yardbirds and later enjoyed a prolific solo career, has died, his official website said Wednesday. He was 78 years old. A guitar virtuoso and innovator who was also one of the world's great rhythm and blues interpreters, Beck died "peacefully" after a sudden bout of bacterial meningitis. As soon as the news emerged of his death, tributes have been pouring in. Here's a look at the reactions. We also hear that his good friend Johnny Depp was by his side during his last hours. While Depp is yet to make a statement and is grappling with the huge loss, pop idols from around the globe are putting together condolence messages.

Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, who was also a Yardbirds bandmate and close friend of Beck, wrote via Instagram: “The six stringed Warrior is no longer here for us to admire the spell he could weave around our mortal emotions. Jeff could channel music from the ethereal. His technique unique. His imaginations apparently limitless. Jeff I will miss you along with your millions of fans.”

Mick Jagger, via Twitter: “With the death of Jeff Beck we have lost a wonderful man and one of the greatest guitar players in the world. We will all miss him so much.”

Rod Stewart in statement: “Jeff Beck was on another planet. He took me and Ronnie Wood to the USA in the late 60s in his band the Jeff Beck Group and we haven’t looked back since. He was one of the few guitarists that when playing live would actually listen to me sing and respond.”

Billy F. Gibbons of ZZ Top in a statement: "I met Jeff Beck when I was 17 and I was glad to know a guy like that, a guy who was able to show me how this guitar playing thing should be approached and that’s still very much the case. Jeff’s was a wondrous soul and we already miss him terribly but take comfort in the fact that he’ll be with us forever. Hi Ho Silver Lining!

Ronnie Wood (Right): “Now Jeff has gone, I feel like one of my band of brothers has left this world, and I’m going to dearly miss him. I’m sending much sympathy to Sandra, his family, and all who loved him.”