Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl choked back tears as he played the band’s first show since the death of drummer Taylor Hawkins in March.
The star was singing Times Like These when he paused to collect his emotions on the lyric: “It’s times like these you learn to love again.”
Earlier, Grohl described Hawkins as his “dear friend, bandmate and brother”.
He said of Hawkins “no-one else could make you smile or laugh or dance or sing like he could”.
“And for those of you that admired him from afar, I’m sure you’ve all felt the same thing,” Grohl added.
“So sing and dance and laugh and cry and scream and make some noise so he can hear us right now.”
Grohl was speaking as Foo Fighters topped the bill at an all-star concert in honour of Hawkins’ life at London’s Wembley Stadium.
The drummer was found dead in a hotel room in Colombia this March, shortly before Foo Fighters were due to play a festival in Bogotá. He was 50 years old.
No cause of death was announced, although a toxicology report showed traces of 10 substances in his body, including opioids, marijuana and anti-depressants.
Investigators did not say whether the mix of drugs was a factor.
Saturday night’s concert was the first of two gigs organised by the musician’s wife and bandmates, with proceeds going to charities Music Support and MusiCares.
Sir Paul McCartney, Queen and AC/DC were among the rock royalty who showed up to pay tribute at Wembley, while Liam Gallagher opened the show with a fitting rendition of Oasis’s Rock And Roll Star.