Beck's Bolero
Instrumental that presaged hard rock and heavy metal.
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In 1966, English guitarist Jeff Beck recorded his first solo track, a rock instrumental called "Beck's Bolero." Critics have called it a landmark rock instrumental—grand in scale, bold in its harmony and rhythm, yet still raw and energetic. The song's main melody, played on multiple guitars, is driven by a rhythm borrowed from Maurice Ravel's *Boléro*.
The session brought together Jimmy Page, Keith Moon, John Paul Jones, and Nicky Hopkins. Everyone later agreed this lineup was an early version of what became Led Zeppelin. But who wrote and produced the track is disputed. Page is the sole credited composer, though Beck says he contributed heavily. Page and Simon Napier-Bell each claim they produced it, while Mickie Most got the credit.
Released ten months after recording, "Beck's Bolero" first appeared as the B-side of Beck's debut single. It got wider attention on his 1968 album *Truth*, where it still sounded advanced despite being over two years old. It's now seen as a key early track in the development of hard rock and heavy metal. Beck considered it one of his favorite works and played it live for the rest of his career. Other musicians have also recorded their own versions.
The session was a side project while Beck was in the Yardbirds. "It was decided that it would be a good idea for me to record some of my own stuff ... partly to stop me moaning about the Yardbirds," Beck recalled. The Yardbirds' management also encouraged solo projects to boost the band's profile. Studio time was booked for May 1966 at IBC Studios in London. Beck called on his friend Jimmy Page—who had recommended Beck as Eric Clapton's replacement in the Yardbirds—to help come up with song ideas.
Though credits are disputed, both Beck and Page agree that Page started by playing chords on a twelve-string guitar using a rhythm based on *Boléro*. Ravel's 1928 piece, according to Beck biographer Martin Power, is "built on a persistent, repeating motif supported by a snare drum ... re-creating the Spanish 'bolero' dance pattern for full orchestra." A guitar melody was developed, along with a middle section to break up the rhythm, similar to the Yardbirds' arrangements for "For Your Love" and "Shapes of Things."
With at least a rough song and Page on board, Beck asked Keith Moon of the Who to play drums.
Quick Facts
- Artist
- Jeff Beck
- Album
- Truth
- A-Side
- Hi Ho Silver Lining
- Released
- 1967-03-10
- Recorded
- 16–17 May 1966
- Studio
- IBC, London
- Genre
- Instrumental rock / hard rock
- Length
- 2:53
- Label
- Columbia / Epic
- Writer
- Jimmy Page (credited, see text)
- Producer
- Mickie Most (credited, see text)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The recording session for "Beck's Bolero" was conceived as a side project for Jeff Beck while he was a member of the Yardbirds. Beck called on Jimmy Page to work up ideas; Page began by playing chords on a twelve-string guitar using a rhythm based on Ravel's Boléro. Beck approached Keith Moon of the Who, who agreed to participate incognito to avoid confrontation with Pete Townshend and Kit Lambert. Moon recommended John Entwistle for bass, but when Entwistle did not show, John Paul Jones and Nicky Hopkins were brought in at the last minute.
Reader's Guide
"Beck's Bolero" is considered a key early track in the development of hard rock and heavy metal. Despite being recorded in 1966, it was not released until ten months later as the B-side to Beck's first single. When it gained wider exposure on Beck's debut album Truth in 1968, it was still considered quite advanced. The track features a structure divided into three parts, with a middle section that launches in a hard rock direction, presaging the coming era. The session brought together musicians who later agreed the lineup was a first attempt at what became Led Zeppelin. The ongoing disagreement over composer and producer credits reflects the collaborative and disputed nature of the recording. Beck continued to perform the piece throughout his career, and it was performed by Page and Beck at Beck's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2009.
Did You Know?
- The recording session included Keith Moon, who arrived disguised in sunglasses and a Russian cossack hat to avoid detection.
- Halfway through the song, Moon smashed the drum microphone with his stick, and his scream can be heard on the recording.
- The initial UK pressing of the single listed the title as "Bolero" with Jeff Beck as composer; later pressings showed "Beck's Bolero" and "J. Page".
- On the British monaural releases, the track includes a fifteen-second backwards guitar coda.
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