A pair of Jeff Beck tribute shows are due to take place at London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall in May. Both performances – hosted by Eric Clapton and Sandra Beck, the guitarist’s widow – will take place on May 22 and 23.
The shows will feature a stellar cast of artists, with those who have already expressed an interest in participating, including Billy GibbonRod Stewart, Gary Clark Jr.., Johnny Depp, John McLaughlin, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, Doyle Bramhall II, Imelda May, Robert Randolph, Olivia Safe and Joss Stone. Composition is subject to change.
Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on March 15 from Direct bookings (opens in a new tab)with a presale starting the day before. Fans can register for the presale now (opens in a new tab).
Surplus revenue from both salons will be donated to the Crazy wildlife rescue (opens in a new tab), a charity based in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, which rescues and rehabilitates injured, orphaned and distressed wild animals. Jeff Beck was one of the association’s patrons, alongside Sandra Beck and Depp.
Many musicians who were scheduled to perform at Royal Albert Hall shows paid their respects to Beck when his death was announced.
“He was one of the few guitarists who, when playing live, actually listened to me sing and respond,” wrote Rod Stewart. “Jeff, you were the best, man. Thanks for everything.”
“I met Jeff Beck when I was 17,” Billy Gibbons said. “And I was glad to know a guy like that, a guy who was able to show me how this guitar playing stuff should be approached and it still is. Jeff was a wonderful soul and we miss him so much already. We take comfort in the fact that he will be with us forever.”
Jeff Beck died of bacterial meningitis on January 10. He was 78 years old.