Shawn Mendes pays tribute to Liam Payne during recent show

Liam Payne’s tragic death has shocked One Direction fans across the world. The late singer’s fans, bandmates (Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles and Zayn) and other musicians honored his legacy with moving statements.

Yesterday (October 18), Shawn Mendes participated in the public memorials. On stage at the Brooklyn Paramount Theatre, the “Why Why Why” singer paid a moving tribute to the fallen star with a never-before-seen performance Shawn song “Heart Of Gold” (visible here).

“I just want to take a second to send him lots of love wherever he is,” he said. “Liam, we love you. The world is crying for you, brother, and we are all praying for your son and his family. I miss you.”

Before singing the ballad, Shawn revealed the true meaning behind the track. After Shawn’s childhood friend died of a drug overdose, it was a pain he couldn’t overcome. So, he channeled those heavy emotions into a song. “It looks like a truck,” he said in a video captured by a concertgoer (viewable here). “We wrote it, it felt like all the things I never said to him.

Shawn will be released on 11/15 via Island Records. Find more information here.