Watch Lukas Nelson Honor Tom Petty With ‘American Girl’, ‘Breakdown’ in Hollywood
While performing in California recently, Lukas Nelson paid tribute to the late, great Tom Petty with covers of two of the rock legend’s biggest hits. Readers can press play above and below to see the special moments.
At his Oct. 4 show at Hollywood’s Fonda Theatre, Nelson worked through his grief at the loss of Petty with performances of “American Girl” and “Breakdown,” both of which were obvious crowd-pleasers. While performing his version of the former track in his characteristic high-energy style, Nelson even donned a top hat that looked a whole lot like the hat worn by Petty in the video for “Don’t Come Around Here No More.” "Breakdown," meanwhile, found Nelson performing alone onstage, accompanying himself on acoustic guitar.
Nelson's tributes came just a few days after Petty’s sudden death following a cardiac arrest event on Oct. 2, the day after a gunman killed more than 50 people and wounded hundreds more in a mass shooting at Las Vegas, Nev.'s Route 91 Harvest Festival. The talented son of Willie Nelson, Lukas Nelson is currently touring with his band Promise of the Real in support of their new self-titled album.
According to a statement from a Petty family spokesperson, Petty was taken to UCLA Medical Center after he went into cardiac arrest, “but could not be revived.” He died at 8:40PM PT, “surrounded, by family, his bandmates and friends.”
Watch Lukas Nelson Cover Tom Petty's "Breakdown"
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