{"id":16658,"date":"2025-05-13T01:24:16","date_gmt":"2025-05-13T01:24:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new50.info\/?p=16658"},"modified":"2025-05-13T01:24:16","modified_gmt":"2025-05-13T01:24:16","slug":"tom-would-be-proud-george-strait-delivers-a-heartfelt-tribute-as-he-joins-forces-with-longtime-tom-petty-guitarist-for-a-powerful-and-unforgettable-rendition-of-a-beloved-heartbreak","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new50.info\/?p=16658","title":{"rendered":"\u201cTom would be proud\u201d: George Strait delivers a heartfelt tribute as he joins forces with longtime Tom Petty guitarist for a powerful and unforgettable rendition of a beloved Heartbreakers classic, leaving fans in awe."},"content":{"rendered":"

With hits like \u201cFree Fallin\u2019\u201d and \u201cRunnin\u2019 Down a Dream,\u201d Tom Petty became one of the most effortlessly cool acts in 20th century American rock music. The Florida native died in October 2017 at age 66, but his legacy still reverberates throughout the culture. Recently, Mike Campbell, longtime guitarist for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, teamed up with country icon George Strait for a cover that would have lit the GRAMMY winner up with pride.<\/p>\n

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Videos<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n

George Strait Covers \u201cYou Wreck Me\u201d With Mike Campbell<\/h3>\n

Petty Country: A Country Music Celebration of Tom Petty<\/em>\u00a0dropped in June, featuring everyone from Chris Stapleton to Dolly Parton paying tribute to the \u201cYou Got Lucky\u201d singer. The iconic George Strait contributed his live cover of Petty\u2019s 1994 hit \u201cYou Wreck Me.\u201d Recently, Strait welcomed Mike Campbell onstage at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey for a performance of the song.<\/p>\n

\u201cMike Campbell, everybody,\u201d Strait says to raucous applause as Campbell takes the stage.<\/p>\n

Campbell furiously strums along as the 72-year-old Strait sings:\u00a0Now and again \/ I get the feeling \/ Well, if I don\u2019t win \/ I\u2019m a-gonna break even<\/em>.<\/p>\n

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https:\/\/twitter.com\/Rockhocker\/status\/1824780687355896317<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

A video of the vigorous performance circulated on X\/Twitter Friday (Aug. 16,) and fans were in awe. \u201cTom would be proud,\u201d one X\/Twitter user wrote. It was a simple but powerful compliment.<\/p>\n

Another used added, \u201cI miss Tom Petty but George Strait did him justice here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe King paying homage to another great\u2026\u201d\u00a0agreed\u00a0one fan.<\/p>\n

The Song Was Originally Titled \u201cYou Wreck Me\u201d<\/h3>\n

Mike Campbell wrote the music to \u201cYou Wreck Me,\u201d with Tom Petty filling in the words. Initially, Petty titled the song \u201cYou Rock Me,\u201d\u00a0which Campbell found\u00a0\u201ckind of ordinary.\u201d Still, the pair proceeded in recording the track.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen one day [Petty] came back and goes, \u201cI\u2019ve got it, I\u2019ll just change it to \u2018You Wreck Me,\u2019\u201d and the whole thing took on a new meaning,\u201d Campbell said. \u201cIt\u2019s an example of one little word changing the whole thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

From there, \u201cYou Wreck Me\u201d became a touring mainstay for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. The band even performed it during their final show at the Hollywood Bowl.<\/p>\n

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