Classic rock fans were left in mourning this week after it was reported that Steely Dan member Jim Beard had died. 

According to the New York Post, a representative for the 63-year-old announced that he passed away in a New York City hospital on Saturday.

Keyboardist died after being hospitalized for a sudden illness

The representative explained that Beard succumbed to complications brought on by a sudden illness and was surrounded by loved ones at the time of his death.

As the Post noted, Beard was a keyboardist who joined Steely Dan's lineup in 2008 and last performed on January 20 in Phoenix, Arizona.

For its part, Steely Dan put up a message on its website that read, "It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of our friend and colleague Jim Beard."

News of Beard's death was met with tributes on social media, including from Grammy Award-winning drummer and music producer Antonio Sanchez.

Musical colleague praises Beard for being "such a gentle soul"

"I can not believe the great Jim Beard is gone," Antonio Sanchez wrote in a post on X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter.

I can not believe the great Jim Beard is gone.
What an untimely loss. He was such a gentle soul and an insanely talented artist.
This pic is just from last year when we recorded Mike Stern’s album which he was producing.
Will miss you, dear Jim. pic.twitter.com/EQCgxfKutt

— Antonio Sanchez 💀 (@AntonioDrumsX) March 6, 2024

"What an untimely loss," Sanchez lamented before adding that Beard "was such a gentle soul and an insanely talented artist."

Sanchez went on to include a photograph of himself alongside his late colleague and stressed that he "will miss you, dear Jim."

Pianist remembers Beard as "a musical giant and inspiration to so many"

Other musicians spoke up as well, such as Grammy Award-nominated saxophonist Ben Wendel, who declared, "Thank you for everything Jim Beard."

"You were a musical giant and inspiration to so many. I am incredibly grateful I had a chance to hang with you and get a little insight into your genius," Wendel remarked.

So did Grammy-nominated pianist Ethan Iverson, who recalled how Beard was "best known for compositions, arrangements, and keyboard stylings in a fusion context."

Iverson pointed out that Beard "was a key collaborator for Wayne Shorter, John McLaughlin, Michael and Randy Brecker, and a long list of others."