Never-before-heard music by Jeff Beck and Paul McCartney has been discovered

Virgin Radio

31 Jan 2023, 14:34

A never-before-heard track written by Jeff Beck and Paul McCartney has been discovered in the former Beatles’ archive.

Recorded in 1994, the song features a spoken pro-environmentalist message from Beck, where he asks: “Why are they cutting down the rainforest?”.

This message was later used in 13-part radio series called Oobu Joobu, presented and created by McCartney. The show featured rehearsals, demos, unreleased recordings, conversations and cameos from some of Paul’s friends and highlighted causes he was aligned to, such as vegetarianism.

McCartney revisited his recordings with Beck following news of his death earlier this month, which is when he found the track.

Now the musician has shared it as part of a series of videos for his Meat Free Monday campaign, which he launched in 2009 with daughters Mary and Stella.

In a press release about the song, Paul said: “With the sad passing of Jeff Beck- a good friend of mine, and a great, great guitar player- it reminded me of the time we worked together many years ago on a campaign for vegetarianism.

“It’s great guitar playing, 'cause it’s Jeff!”

Other clips in the series will feature more of McCartney’s famous friends and will form part of the campaign’s mission to highlight the benefits of a plant-based diet.

News of Beck’s death was confirmed on 12th January in a statement on his official Twitter page, which 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 asks for privacy while they process this tremendous loss.”

Alongside McCartney, Mick Jagger, Rod Stewart and Ozzy Osbourne paid tribute to the late guitarist stating how much of a “legend” he was.

Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin also said: “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.”