Bob Dylan Honors Tom Petty With ‘Learning To Fly’ Cover In Colorado

In recent years Bob Dylan setlists haven’t changed very much as he focused on a mix of standards and his most-beloved songs during his Never Ending Tour. A big change took place just over a week into the tour last night at the 1stBank Center in Broomfield, Colorado; where Dylan paid tribute to his friend and former band mate Tom Petty.

Dylan had toured with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers as his backing band in 1986. Shortly thereafter, Bob and Tom would form Traveling Wilburys with fellow icons Roy Orbison, George Harrison and Jeff Lynne. Last night’s Bob Dylan show ended with a cover of “Learning To Fly” from Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers’ 1991 album Into The Great Wide Open. The cover took place one day after what would have been Petty’s 67th birthday.

“It’s shocking, crushing news. I thought the world of Tom. He was a great performer, full of the light, a friend, and I’ll never forget him,” Bob Dylan told Rolling Stone on the day Petty died. Watch two fan-shot videos featuring Bob Dylan’s “Learning To Fly”:

[Captured by Michael Peterson]

[Captured by Recreate Magazine]

[Hat Tip – Rolling Stone]