Watch Kip Moore Cover ‘Learning to Fly’ in Tom Petty’s Memory
Kip Moore paid tribute to the late Tom Petty on Tuesday (Oct. 3) while playing a sold-out show at Ritz Manchester in England. Readers can press play above to watch Moore sing Petty's "Learning to Fly."
The music community was hit with another wave of grief upon learning the news that Petty passed away after suffering a heart attack at his home in Malibu, Calif., early on Monday morning (Oct. 2) -- shortly after Sunday night's (Oct. 1) mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Festival. Although Moore is overseas for several shows in the UK, his heart is still on American soil: He posted about Petty's death on Instagram, saying, "Tom Petty influenced so many in music, and I was definitely one of those."
"My buddy Tom Pritchett turned me on to [Petty's] music when I was about 15. He had a low-riding Honda Prelude that had a stereo system I've yet to see matched, and he would crank this song as loud as it would go," Moore recalls. "We felt like kings riding those back roads, and Petty was the reason for that feeling ... thank [yo]u Tom for all the inspiration. RIP."
A number of country artists have expressed their sadness about Petty's passing on social media by quoting song lyrics and expressing shock and grief -- as well as showing gratitude for his powerful impact on music.
After his UK dates, Moore will launch his Plead the Fifth Tour in support of his new album, Slowheart.
Country Artists Mourn Tom Petty