Chris Stapleton, Emmylou Harris Lead Tom Petty Tribute at Grammys

By Andrew Magnotta

January 29, 2018

Country star Chris Stapleton and influential singer/songwriter Emmylou Harris paid tribute to the late Tom Petty at Sunday Night's 60th annual Grammy Awards. 

The two singers performed a rendition of Petty's "Wildflowers" to open the ceremony's tribute to the artists we've lost since last year's Grammy Awards, including Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Gregg Allman, Glen Campbell, Chris Cornell, Chester Bennington and many others. 

Petty passed away in October due to cardiac arrest brought on by an accidental overdose of fentanyl, the same powerful prescription opiate that killed Prince in 2016.

The iconic singer/songwriter had just completed a tour celebrating over 40th years with his backing band, The Heartbreakers.

Petty was reportedly touring with a fractured hip and was prescribed fentanyl to help him manage the pain to get through the trek. 

In addition to taking part in the tribute to Petty, Stapleton left the ceremony with three shiny new Grammys, including those for Best Country Song (for "Broken Halos"), Best Solo Country Performance ("Either Way"), and Best Country Album (From a Room: Volume 1).


Photo: Getty Images

Chris StapletonEmmylou HarrisTom Petty & the Heartbreakers
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