Since Tom Petty’s untimely passing in October 2017, fans around the world have sought ways to continue experiencing the magic of his iconic music.
Tribute bands have stepped up to fill this void, meticulously recreating the sound, energy, and spirit that made Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers one of America’s most beloved rock bands.
Here’s an in-depth look at the absolute best Tom Petty tribute bands touring today, each keeping the flame of Petty’s musical legacy burning bright.
Refugee: The Ultimate Tom Petty Tribute Band
Formed in early 2014 by six seasoned New York musicians, Refugee has quickly established itself as one of the most successful nationally touring tributes to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. What sets this band apart is their extraordinary attention to detail and the passion they bring to each performance.
“It is with love, respect and all our hearts that we pay tribute to Tom, one of the greatest American songwriters of our time,” the band states on their website. “It is a daunting task to do justice to this brilliant catalogue of music but doing so means everything to this band.”
Refugee’s performances include a comprehensive selection from Tom Petty’s incredible catalog, including Heartbreakers classics, solo work, and even selections from Mudcrutch and the Traveling Wilburys. Their precision and authenticity are so remarkable that fans often comment they have to “see Refugee to believe them.”
Based on Long Island, New York, the band has grown to become one of the most in-demand Tom Petty tribute acts, playing venues throughout the northeastern United States. Their dedication to honoring Petty’s legacy comes through in every chord and lyric, making them a must-see for die-hard fans. Refugee Official Website
The Petty Breakers: World’s Greatest Tom Petty Tribute
Hailed as “The World’s Greatest Tribute to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers” according to Ryan Seacrest, Mark Cuban, and Katie Daryl on AXS-TV, The Petty Breakers have earned a reputation for delivering the most authentic reproduction of a Tom Petty concert experience available today.
The band’s members bring impressive credentials to the stage, having recorded with world-renowned artists like the Gin Blossoms, the Rembrandts, Leonard Cohen, the BoDeans, and the Smithereens. This collective experience allows them to meticulously recreate the Heartbreakers’ signature sound, from the soulful ballads to the rebellious anthems.
Lead by Ozzie Mancinelli (guitars/lead vocals), the band features David Zeman (keyboards/vocals), John McAllister/Josh Taylor (guitar), Rafael Gayol/Steve Newby (drums/vocals), and Danny Leoni/Severo Jornacion (bass/vocals). What makes their performances special isn’t just musical accuracy but their ability to recreate the communal experience Petty’s concerts were known for, engaging audiences and inviting them to sing along.
The Petty Breakers have even performed with special guests including Steve Ferrone, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ drummer, highlighting their credibility within the musical community. Their shows regularly sell out venues across the country, including an appearance in front of more than 11,000 fans at Central Park in Santa Clarita, California. The Petty Breakers Official Website
Free Fallin: The Tom Petty Concert Experience
For more than 17 years, Free Fallin has been performing Tom Petty’s music across North America, evolving into what they describe as “a complete and spectacular live music production.” Based in Minnesota, this highly skilled band delivers an entertaining and professional experience that captures the essence of Petty’s live shows.
Free Fallin’s productions feature all of Tom’s greatest hits, performed with instruments and costumes that meticulously recreate the authentic experience of a Heartbreakers concert. Following Petty’s passing in 2017, the band embarked on the “Broken Hearted Tour,” which took them to 90 shows across 15 states.
A highlight of their career came when they received an invitation to play at Tom Petty’s Birthday Bash in his hometown of Gainesville, Florida, where they performed for more than 26,000 fans from around the world. This recognition speaks to their credibility as standard-bearers of Petty’s musical legacy.
The band continues to play major venues and events nationwide, maintaining their reputation as one of the most professional touring bands today. Every show promises audiences the opportunity to experience Tom Petty’s greatest hits performed with reverence and skill, inviting everyone to sing along to the classics they know and love. Free Fallin Official Website
Petty Theft: San Francisco Tribute to Tom Petty
Since 2003, San Francisco-based Petty Theft has been touring the western United States, performing Tom Petty’s songs with remarkable authenticity and passion. Repeatedly voted “Best Cover Band” in the North Bay Bohemian readers’ poll (2011, 2012, 2013), and winning “Best of the North Bay” and “Best of Marin” awards through 2023, this band has clearly captured the hearts of Petty fans throughout California and beyond.
The band’s philosophy centers on performing Petty’s songs “true to the originals and in the spirit of the Heartbreakers’ live shows.” Their performances include everything from the big hits to deeper album cuts, creating a comprehensive musical experience for fans of all levels.
Petty Theft has earned praise from respected sources like the San Francisco Chronicle, which called them “the Cadillac of local tribute bands,” and the Press Democrat, which noted they’ve become “more popular than ever” since Petty’s passing. Their live shows are renowned for their energy and faithfulness to the original material.
A particularly special moment in the band’s history came when they performed with Steve Ferrone, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ drummer, demonstrating their credibility and connection to the music they honor. Videos of these collaborations showcase the band’s talent and the respect they’ve earned within the music community. Petty Theft Official Website
The Wildflowers: North America’s Premier Tom Petty Experience
Now in their 13th year together, The Wildflowers have become the most successful internationally touring tribute to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Their origin story began with a simple question bassist Darryell Stone asked himself in 2012: “Who doesn’t love Tom Petty?” The answer was obvious—nobody. This realization, combined with the uncanny resemblance of vocalist/guitarist Jonathan Guthrie to Tom Petty, sparked the creation of what would become a wildly successful tribute act.
As Stone tested his “everyone loves Tom Petty” hypothesis, he found universal agreement, making the formation of a tribute band an obvious next step. The group quickly assembled a lineup of skilled musicians including drummer Steve Lucas, multi-instrumentalist Glenn Freeman, and lead guitarist Curt Granger, who also creates a line of boutique guitar amplifiers.
The band rehearsed with singular focus: to recreate Petty’s music with precision and reverent respect. They studied parts in great detail, down to the very inflections in each lyric. This dedication paid off as they began performing locally and quickly gained recognition, leading to expanded bookings throughout the Southeast.
By 2020, The Wildflowers had completed their first Canadian tour, earning them true international status. Now with over 400 shows under their belt, they’ve played prestigious venues including House of Blues locations in Myrtle Beach and Orlando, Atlantis Casino Reno, and many more. Their attention to detail, combined with Jonathan Guthrie’s remarkable vocal similarity to Petty, delivers a concert experience that captures the essence of the original Heartbreakers magic. The Wildflowers Official Website
Damn The Torpedoes: Mesmerizing Audiences Since 2007
Damn The Torpedoes, formed in 2007 and based in the NYC area, offers what they describe as “a complete Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers concert experience.” Their name, taken from Petty’s breakthrough 1979 album, perfectly captures the rebellious spirit that defined much of his career.
The band’s promotional materials promise that “whether performing note for note renditions of the studio recordings or engaging the audience with actual live versions of TPATH’s performances, patrons and venues can be assured that DTT delivers the ‘AWE’ factor EVERY TIME.”
Led by Rich Kubicz, who handles vocal duties and guitar, the band recreates Petty’s sound with meticulous attention to detail. Their performances span the entire Petty catalog, from early hits to later works, all delivered with the energy and authenticity fans crave.
Following Petty’s passing in 2017, the band shared a heartfelt message: “Ten plus years of paying tribute to an American Music Icon such as Tom Petty has given us the pinnacle of joy as musicians and fans. We thank you wholeheartedly for your music and the inspiration it has given so many. We pledge to carry on that legacy so others can also experience the joy of your music.”
Their commitment to preserving Petty’s legacy has earned them praise from venues and critics alike. The Mauch Chunk Opera House noted: “A comment about Damn the Torpedoes last weekend – we forgot how many songs by Tom Petty that we liked, but DTT reminded us. And they were excellent, just ripping through that music whether it was classic or something lesser-known, and people were very happy.” Damn The Torpedoes Official Website
Full Moon Fever: The East Coast’s Premier Tribute
Named after Tom Petty’s acclaimed 1989 solo album, Full Moon Fever has established itself as the east coast’s premier Tom Petty tribute band. Based in Virginia, the band has been active for 15 years and has built a reputation for electrifying performances that consistently get crowds on their feet.
Led by singer Prabir Mehta, whose voice bears a remarkable similarity to Petty’s distinctive tone, the band delivers a magnetic stage presence that captures the spirit of the original Heartbreakers. Their repertoire spans the breadth of Petty’s career, covering hits from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, including music from the Heartbreakers era, Tom’s solo career, and the Traveling Wilburys.
What distinguishes Full Moon Fever is their dual commitment to musical accuracy and showmanship. As their website notes, “The band’s attention to musical detail is matched only by its commitment to putting on a great show.” This approach has created a loyal following, with fans regularly selling out their performances across the mid-Atlantic region at venues like the Capital One Music Hall in Tysons Corner, the Jefferson Theater and Ting Pavilion in Charlottesville, and Browns Island and the Broadberry in Richmond.
The band’s tagline cleverly references Petty’s lyrics, noting that for fans, “waiting to be the hardest part” when it comes to seeing their next show. Their performances capture the essence of Petty’s music while adding their own energy and passion to these beloved classics. Full Moon Fever Official Website
What Makes These Tributes Special
What unites all these outstanding tribute bands is their genuine love for Tom Petty’s music and their commitment to keeping his legacy alive. Each brings something unique to their performances while maintaining reverence for the original material.
The success of these bands speaks to the enduring appeal of Tom Petty’s music—its ability to transcend generations and continue touching people’s lives. As Petty himself once said, “Music is probably the only real magic I have encountered in my life. There’s not some trick involved with it. It’s pure and it’s real.”
Through these dedicated tribute acts, fans can continue to experience that magic in a live setting, singing along to the soundtrack of their lives. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or discovering Petty’s music for the first time, catching one of these tribute bands provides an opportunity to connect with one of American rock’s most distinctive and beloved voices.
The next time you see one of these bands is coming to your area, don’t hesitate—as the man himself would say, “Take it easy, baby. Take it as it comes.” The music of Tom Petty lives on, and these extraordinary tribute bands ensure we can all continue to run down that dream.
