Sir Rod Stewart paid tribute to Jeff Beck this week as he attended the funeral of the late guitarist in south London.
The 78-year-old musician penned a heartfelt written note alongside a beautiful floral decoration that was delivered to the funeral.
The Forever Young singer, who called Jeff a “guitar genius,” noted that it was a “privilege” to have performed alongside the star.
The Yardbirds star died “peacefully” on January 11 at the age of 78 after contracting bacterial meningitis.
He and Rod performed side-by-side in The Jeff Beck Group, formed in 1967, with the latter appearing as lead singer.
“It was a privilege to perform alongside a guitar genius”: Sir Rod Stewart paid tribute to the late Jeff Beck with a floral decoration and a heartfelt written note on Friday before the late guitarist’s funeral (Rod and Jeff pictured in 1984).
From the heart: The musician penned a heartfelt written note alongside a beautiful floral decoration that was delivered to the funeral
The pair also made records together in the form of 1968’s “Truth” and 1969’s “Beck-Ola” — and one with a 64-piece orchestra, “Emotion & Commotion.”
Florist Louisa Jane was commissioned to create a floral arrangement for Rod to pay tribute to his late friend.
Rod’s tribute consisted of a collection of white roses with a handwritten note, while another friend ordered heart-shaped flowers for the funeral.
“It was a privilege to perform alongside a true guitar genius. Rest in peace. See you later Jeff, Sir Rod Stewart,” the rocker wrote.
While Louise shared a picture of the sweet ode on Facebook, writing: “Yesterday I had the absolute pleasure of making a tribute from Sir Rod Stewart and a beautiful big heart from a client who was calling from Los Angeles for Jeff Beck’s funeral.
“I took them to church and was asked by my family to leave them at the entrance to the church. He was a very popular man, so many people there.’
Sir Rod joined other stars like Johnny Depp and Ronnie Wood at the funeral in their final farewell to one of rock’s greatest stars of all time.
Also paying their respects were founding member of The Pretenders Chrissie Hynde, Welsh singing legend Sir Tom Jones, blues-rock guitarist Eric Clapton, Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour and Boomtown Rats lead singer Sir Bob Geldof.
The late star was buried at St Mary’s Church in Beddington, Sutton, where a host of rock royalty attended to pay their respects.
Then: The longtime friends performed alongside each other within the Jeff Beck Group and made their last appearance together on stage in 2019 (pictured 1985)
Stunning: Florist Louisa Jane was grateful to be commissioned to create a floral arrangement for Rod to pay tribute to his late friend
Paying respect: Another friend ordered heart-shaped flowers for the funeral
Funeral: Sir Rod and his wife Penny made their way to Jeff’s funeral on Friday as they said their final goodbyes to one of the greatest rock stars of all time
Sir Rod and Jeff reunited for a one-off gig at the Hollywood Bowl in 2019, which began with Rod and his solo band playing a lengthy string of hits before Jeff came out for an extended encore.
And when the latter’s death was announced last month, his close friend rushed to social media to pen a tribute.
Sharing a collection of throwback pics, Sir Rod wrote: “Jeff Beck was on another planet. He took me and Ronnie Wood to the US in his band, the Jeff Beck Group, in the late ’60s and we haven’t looked back since.
“He was one of the few guitar players who actually listened to me sing and responded live when I was performing.
“Jeff, you were the greatest man…” Thanks for everything . REST IN PEACE’.
(Jeff Beck, Ronnie Wood and Rod Stewart pictured in 2008)
Remembering: And when Jeff’s death was announced last month, his close friend Rod rushed to social media to write a tribute