The Heartbreakers reunited Wednesday night at the 2026 Americana Honors & Awards in Nashville, taking the stage at the Ryman Auditorium as Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Original members Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench, Stan Lynch, and Ron Blair performed together for their first time since 2017. Chris Stapleton joined for “American Girl” and “Breakdown.” Longtime members Steve Ferrone and Scott Thurston later joined for a closing rendition of “You Wreck Me.”
Stapleton’s connection with the Heartbreakers dates to 2017, when he opened for them during three dates on their 40th anniversary tour. He has since recorded with Campbell and Tench and collaborated with Campbell’s Dirty Knobs project.
The reunion coincides with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ 50th anniversary. Earlier Wednesday, the Petty estate announced Origins 1971-1978, an archival box set tracing the band’s formative years. Due November 6 via UMe, the collection includes newly mixed and remastered editions of the band’s first two albums, previously unreleased recordings, live material, and restored footage from their 1978 BBC appearance on The Old Grey Whistle Test.
The estate also shared “Parade of Loons,” a previously unreleased 1978 Heartbreakers recording, alongside an animated music video.
See Benmont Tench live
Upcoming Benmont Tench events with tickets available:
- Oct 6, 2026 — Freight & Salvage, Berkeley, California · Get tickets
- Oct 8, 2026 — Coach House – Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, California · Get tickets
- Oct 12, 2026 — Musical Instrument Museum – Music Theater, Phoenix, Arizona · Get tickets
- Oct 13, 2026 — Music Box – San Diego, San Diego, California · Get tickets
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Source: Consequence
