Rock legend Tom Petty passed away Monday at the age of 66, and to honor the late singer, Coldplay covered his song “Free Fallin'” during their live show Monday night.
R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck joined the band onstage at their Portland, Oregon concert for the four-and-a-half-minute tribute, after the audience observed a moment of silence for the victims of the Las Vegas shooting.
Following the minute of silence, Peter Buck joined the band for this wonderful rendition of Freefalling by Tom Petty.
— Coldplay (@coldplay) October 3, 2017
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As Vulture points out, Buck famously criticized Petty (a fellow Southern rocker) for flying a Confederate flag at his live shows back in the ’80s—a decision Petty later admitted was “downright stupid.” But there were no hard feelings Monday night—just unfettered rock and roll tribute vibes.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers had just finished their 40th-anniversary tour when the singer succumbed to cardiac arrest in his Los Angeles home.