Jason Aldean Pays Tribute to Las Vegas Victims & Tom Petty on ‘SNL’ Cold Open

Jason Aldean surprised everyone when he mad an unannounced appearance on ‘SNL’ to cold-open the show with a performance of Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down.”  The song was a double tribute to those who lost their lives the last time he was on stage as a gun man opened fire on the Las Vegas crowd and a tribute to the late Tom Petty.

This week we witnessed one of the worst tragedies in American history. Like everyone I’m struggling to understand what happened that night, and how to pick up the pieces and start to heal,” Aldean said on SNL. “So many people are hurting and they’re our children, parents, brothers, sisters, friends. They’re all part of our family.

“I want to say to them, we hurt for you and we hurt with you,” he continued. “You can be sure we’re going to walk through these tough times together, every step of the way. Because when America is at its best, our bond and our spirit, it’s unbreakable.”