Scranton’s Tom Petty Appreciation Band reunites at Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre on Black Friday, Nov. 29
It was announced today that the Tom Petty Appreciation Band will reunite for a special concert in the Chandelier Lobby of the F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre on Friday, Nov. 29 at 8 p.m.
The Scranton-born supergroup of well-known local musicians has only played a few sporadic shows over the last several years. After closing down Mert’s in downtown Scranton in 2017 following years of regular shows there, the band got together last November for “Bri Day” at the Scranton Cultural Center, a fundraiser for Brian Craig, the beloved co-owner of The Bog and a musician in his own right.
More than just a typical tribute act, the Tom Petty Appreciation Band lives up to its name by playing the deep album cuts as well as the well-known hits that crowds love to sing along to. While their lineup changes here and there, the core love of the music of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers remains in each iteration, including the Philadelphia Tom Petty Appreciation Band that’s also led by vocalist/guitarist Pat Finnerty.
The lineup for the Kirby Center show on Black Friday features Pat Finnerty (lead vocals, guitar), Pat Flynn (guitar, backing vocals), Nick Driscoll (keys), Mark Kiesinger (bass), and AJ Jump (drums) with special guest Bret Alexander featuring Nyke Van Wyk.
Tickets, which are $15 in advance or $20 the day of the show, plus fees, go on sale this Friday, Oct. 4 at 10 a.m. and will be available at the Sundance Vacations Box Office at the F.M. Kirby Center (71 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre), online at kirbycenter.org, and by phone at 570-826-1100. A Kirby Member pre-sale begins Thursday, Oct. 3 at 10 a.m.
Tom Petty died in 2017 at the age of 66. When the news broke, the Associated Press wrote:
Petty, usually backed by his longtime band the Heartbreakers, was known for such hits as “Free Fallin,'” “Refugee” and “American Girl.” The Gainesville, Florida native with the shaggy blond hair and gaunt features drew upon the Byrds, the Beatles, and other musicians he loved while growing up in the 1960s. He was also a member of the impromptu supergroup the Traveling Wilburys, which included Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Roy Orbison, and Jeff Lynne.
Petty and the Heartbreakers had recently completed a 40th anniversary tour, one he hinted would be their last. Petty, whose worldwide sales topped 80 million records, was inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame in 2002.
Watch NEPA Scene’s live stream of the Tom Petty Appreciation Band performing at the Scranton Cultural Center on Nov. 23, 2018 below:
