Two months after Jeff Beck passed away unexpectedly at age 78, some of his closest friends, contemporaries, and collaborators have announced a pair of tribute concerts for the late guitar hero. Organized by Beck’s widow Sandra Beck and his former Yardbirds bandmate Eric Clapton, the shows are set for May 22nd and 23rd at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
The concerts will see Slowhand team up with a wide range of axe slingers including actor Johnny Depp, Tedeschi Trucks Band founders Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi, Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), Gary Clark Jr., jazz guitarist John McLaughlin, pedal steel player Robert Randolph, and Doyle Bramhall II. A number of Beck’s former collaborators will also participate, most notably Rod Stewart, as well as Imelda May, Olivia Safe, and Joss Stone. Members of the Jeff Beck Band will also perform including Rhonda Smith, Anika Nilles, and Robert Stevenson.
The lineup is expected to expand in the coming months, with the full slate of artists due to finalize near the date of the shows. Most guests are anticipated to participate in both nights.
Related: Billy Joel Pays Tribute To Jeff Beck At Madison Square Garden [Watch]
Tickets for the Jeff Beck tribute concerts go on sale to the general public on Wednesday, March 15th on Bookings Direct. A pre-sale begins the day prior, with registration now open here. Proceeds from the shows will go toward the Folly Wildlife Rescue, a Kent, U.K.-based charity that rescues and rehabilitates injured and distressed wild animals. During his life, Beck was a patron of the non-profit alongside Sandra and Depp.
Over the weekend, the star-studded Love Rocks NYC benefit concert featured a loving tribute to Jeff Beck. The marathon event at New York’s Beacon Theatre reached an emotional climax with a communal cover of “People Get Ready” featuring Warren Haynes, James Taylor, Sheryl Crow, John Mayer, Mavis Staples, and many more. Revisit Live For Live Music‘s coverage of the event here.
