Stan Lynch Released High Flying Bird Video
The former Heartbreakers drummer shares archival footage in a new track honoring Tom Petty.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Rock
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Is it appropriate to share intimate archival photos and home videos of deceased musicians publicly?
Stan Lynch has released a new song and video titled High Flying Bird. The project features archival home movies and photos of Tom Petty to process Lynch's feelings about his former bandmate.
Why it matters
The release serves as a personal reflection from Lynch, who last spoke with Petty during the 2002 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The song arrives as the Heartbreakers approach their 50th anniversary.
Stan Lynch is 71 years old and recorded the new track with members of the band Speaker Wars. The archival photos and home movies featured in the video were cataloged by an archivist over the past year.
The players
Stan Lynch
He is a 71-year-old musician and drummer who played with the Heartbreakers for over two decades.
Tom Petty
He was an iconic American musician and the founder of the Heartbreakers who passed away in 2017.
Adria Petty
She is the daughter of Tom Petty and currently manages his extensive musical legacy and archives.
Speaker Wars
This is the musical ensemble that collaborated with Stan Lynch on the recording of his new track.
The details
Lynch collaborated with Speaker Wars members to produce the song, which draws on memories from his tenure with the Heartbreakers. Adria Petty, who oversees her father's legacy and archives, provided access to the historical footage used in the visual.
Timeline
Stan Lynch departed the Heartbreakers in October 1994.
Lynch last spoke to Tom Petty in 2002.
Lynch performed with the Heartbreakers on September 16, 2026, in Nashville.
The Origins 1971-1978 box set will be released on November 6, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The 2002 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction serves as the final point of personal contact mentioned between the artist and his late bandmate. The project follows the pattern of reconciliation and archival reflection established by the artist's final interaction at that event.
Fans can view the new video featuring archival footage online immediately. The release provides listeners with additional insight into the band's history ahead of the November box set launch.
The takeaway
Lynch uses this release to bridge his past with the Heartbreakers and his current musical life. Engaging with archival media remains a powerful tool for legacy artists to reconcile personal history with public expectations.
What happens next
The Origins 1971-1978 box set is scheduled for release on November 6, 2026.
Further reading
For more news on upcoming classic music releases, visit the Rock section.
Live Poll
Is it appropriate to share intimate archival photos and home videos of deceased musicians publicly?
