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Tom Petty’s longtime band has reunited for the first time since the frontman’s death, and they were joined by one of country music’s biggest names.
The Heartbreakers took the stage Wednesday night at the Americana Honors and Awards in Nashville, Tennessee, marking the first time that the band has performed since Petty died of an accidental overdose aged 66 in October 2017.
The four original band members — Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench, Ron Blair and Stan Lynch — were joined in the reunion by country legend Chris Stapleton, who sang Petty’s part and played guitar.
“It’s true, we haven’t played together since 2017, and it’s really emotional and sweet to be here,” Campbell told the audience. “We have two more songs, and we’re so happy to have Chris up here with us. It’s great to see you all, I think you know this one.”
Stapleton sang “American Girl” and “Breakdown,” two of the band’s most beloved songs. For the final song, Lynch left the stage and the original members were joined by later Heartbreaker members, drummer Steve Ferrone and guitarist Scott Thurston, to perform 1994 song “You Wreck Me.”
The band then received their Lifetime Achievement Award, which was introduced by Stapleton.
“This year marks the 50th anniversary of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers,” Stapleton said on stage. “Words cannot express how much that catalog of music means to me, but also to the world. It transcends genre, it transcends Americana, it transcends lots of things. It heals and it makes you feel good and it makes you want to drive too fast. And it makes you want to play music – that’s what it did for me.”
Petty’s daughter, Adria Petty, accepted the award on her father’s behalf and thanked Stapleton for “uniting the band”
“I don’t know if I could have seen anyone (else) play with the Heartbreakers and felt so much soul and trust in what he just did here tonight,” Adria said, according to Ultimate Classic Rock.
Campbell, who became choked up during the acceptance speech, closed by saying: “Tom, I’m going to miss rocking around with you.”
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The Heartbreakers have partially reunited for informal performances in the years since Petty’s death, but Wednesday’s reunion was the first time that the entire rock band officially gathered in nearly a decade. Plus, it was Lynch’s first time playing with the band since they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 24 years ago.
Stapleton has had a close relationship with the legendary group for years. He opened for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers for shows on their 2017 tour and has written songs with Campbell. He also recorded Petty’s song “I Should Have Known It” for the 2024 tribute album Petty Country.