People Get Ready (featuring Rod Stewart)

The Zoo Crew is spinning the soulful grooves of "People Get Ready", a Curtis Mayfield classic covered by Jeff Beck and featuring Rod Stewart on his 1985 album Flash. This track, a reunion of the former Jeff Beck Group bandmates, captures their electric chemistry. The song, originally recorded in 1983, sat in the vault until Epic Records released it in 1985. Its sepia-toned music video, a nostalgic nod to their past, shows Beck and Stewart train-hopping toward each other, culminating in a heartfelt hug as Beck rips into a solo. Rod Stewart later reflected on their synergy, saying in a 2018 Rolling Stone interview, “My voice and his guitar is a match made in heaven.” The track hit No. 5 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart and No. 48 on the Hot 100, with heavy MTV rotation boosting its reach.

Another tidbit comes from a 2009 Los Angeles concert at the El Rey Theatre, where Stewart surprised Beck onstage to perform "People Get Ready". A post on X describes Beck jamming the intro, unaware Stewart would join, creating a magical, unscripted moment for fans. The song’s gospel roots, drawn from Mayfield’s church-inspired lyrics, resonated deeply, with Stewart’s raspy vocals and Beck’s melodic guitar lines—played on a rare Jackson Soloist instead of his usual Fender Stratocaster—earning praise. Stewart honored the track’s legacy in a 2023 X post, noting its inclusion on the King’s Coronation playlist, calling it an honor he believed Beck, who passed in 2023, would have cherished.

Jeff Beck, born June 24, 1944, in Wallington, England, began his musical journey as a teen, building his own guitar and sneaking into London clubs to hear rock and blues acts. After a brief stint at Wimbledon Art College, he played with Screaming Lord Sutch, which led to his big break in 1965 when he replaced Eric Clapton in The Yardbirds. His innovative playing on hits like “Shapes of Things” pushed the band into psychedelic rock. In 1967, Beck formed the Jeff Beck Group with Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood, and Nicky Hopkins, releasing the seminal albums Truth (1968) and Beck-Ola (1969). These records, blending blues and heavy rock, influenced the likes of Led Zeppelin. Beck’s career evolved through jazz fusion in the 1970s with albums like Blow by Blow and collaborations with artists like Jan Hammer, cementing his reputation as a guitar virtuoso.

Zoo Freaks can stay connected with Jeff Beck’s legacy through his official website, jeffbeck.com, though it primarily promotes newer artists like Beck (not Jeff). His official Facebook page shares tributes and updates, while the Jeff Beck Music Instagram account posts archival photos and performance clips. On X, fans can find posts celebrating his work, though activity has slowed since his passing. For community vibes, the Jeff Beck Fan Club on Facebook is a lively spot where fans share memories, rare recordings, and gig stories. Another fan-driven hub, jeffbeck.rocks, offers detailed discographies, tour archives, and forums for diehard enthusiasts to geek out over Beck’s groundbreaking riffs.