Video: Bearded Matisyahu Grants Special Wish

Matisyahu in 2010, with full beard Image by Getty Images

By Renee Ghert-Zand February 21, 2012

Reggae star Matisyahu had two surprises in store for concert-goers who had come to see him perform at The Tarrytown Music Hall on February 16.

The first was the re-growth of his beard. No sooner had the singer’s famous facial hair disappeared than it was back again — though it will obviously take a while for it to reach its prior Hasidic-style length. Either Matsiyahu simply got tired of shaving or he has had a religious change of heart…again.

The second special treat for the audience was a guest appearance on stage by a young boy named Luke Weber, who sang the megahit “One Day” with Matisyahu. The bald Weber, who is suffering from a serious illness, belted out the hope-filled lyrics, “Sometimes in my tears I drown/but I never let it get me down/So when negativity surrounds/I know some day it’ll all turn around,” as his music idol put his arm around him and sang along. The duo’s outfits were even color-coordinated, with Matisyahu’s velvet yarmulke matching Weber’s reddish-brown jersey.

It was clear that the standing ovation at the end of the performance was for Weber, and that the gracious Matisyahu, who gave Weber a hug, was very pleased about it. As an introduction to a video of the performance, Matisyahu posted on his official Facebook page: “Moments like this are why I create music. My new friend Luke, who’s been pretty sick, came onstage and sang ‘One Day’ with me at an event on Thursday night.”

Weber’s appearance onstage with Matisyahu was a dream made possible by Chai Lifeline, an organization that offers financial, social and emotional support to children battling serious diseases and medical conditions.

Watch Matisyahu and Luke Weber Sing ‘One Day’:

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