Billy Joel paid tribute to Jeff Beck during his NYC concert, following his death last week
(Picture: PA Archive)Billy Joel gave a poignant tribute to late guitarist Jeff Beck in concert on Friday, following his death last week.
Beck died aged 78 on Tuesday, January 10, after contracting bacterial meningitis.
Joel, 78, said he “always loved” Beck as he addressed the fellow musician’s passing during his Madison Square Garden residency show in New York City.
Joel said: “He was a musician I always loved. He was the best. Jeff Beck just passed away recently,” as he was met with applause from the audience.
The Piano Man singer continued: “I couldn’t let the night go by without doing something by Jeff. This is a recording he did with Rod Stewart, called People Get Ready.”
Joel then performed the song, which was first recorded in 1985 and featured on his eighth album Flash.
The legendary artist paid another tribute to Beck just before his concert finished, as he played Going Down by Alabama State Troopers, a song Beck famously covered in 1972 on his album The Jeff Beck Group.
Following his performance, Joel told the audience jokingly: “We should have rehearsed this today.”
Beck’s family confirmed his death in a statement last week, as they shared that he “passed away peacefully”.
Several stars have since paid their respects to the late rocker, including Sir Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Sir Brian May and Ozzy Osbourne.
Joel hailed Beck as the “great, virtuoso guitarist” as he gave his reaction to the “sad news” of his death in a statement sent to People.
He said: “He was one of my heroes. I was fortunate to meet him recently, and I’m very grateful now that I was able to tell him how much I admired his musical skill.
“This is the end of an era. R.I.P.”
A representative for the late musical legend shared that Beck passed away at a hospital near his home in Surrey, following a period of illness over the Christmas holidays.
The guitarist leaves behind his wife Sandra, whom he married in 2005.
