Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler has paid tribute to his late 'Nashville' co-star and "dear friend" Hayden Panettiere, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 36.

"She was a dear friend of mine, I loved her dearly and I feel bad for her mom - big love to her," Tyler, 78, told TMZ on Tuesday.

Tyler and Panettiere collaborated on a September 2015 episode of the ABC series 'Nashville.' In the storyline, Panettiere's character, Juliette Barnes, was portraying Patsy Cline in a biopic, leading to a duet between the actress and the rock icon of Cline's hit song "Crazy."

In a 2015 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Tyler praised Panettiere's professionalism and talent. "Hayden is a peach," he said. "She’s a seasoned pro, from her success on NBC’s Heroes." He added that she was "a true professional both while filming, recording and off set as well."

Regarding their duet, Tyler noted that it "only made sense that we would sing the most recognizable Patsy Cline song ever" given the episode's plot. He also affirmed Panettiere's vocal abilities, stating, "Why lip sync when you can sing live? And yes - she is that good!"

Tyler said that Panettiere showed off her skills as a singer in the outing

While widely recognized for her acting, Panettiere also showcased her musical talents in 'Nashville' and several Disney projects, including 'Tiger Cruise' (2004), 'Ice Princess' (2005), and 'Cinderella III: A Twist in Time' (2007).

The Dream On vocalist said of Panettiere, 'She’s a true professional both while filming, recording and off set as well'

Panettiere's father, Skip Panettiere, announced her passing on Sunday, stating, "It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her - and to the millions who watched her onscreen. We ask for privacy as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss."

Authorities in Greenville, South Carolina, responded to a report of an unresponsive female at an apartment, which was later determined to be Panettiere. Officials stated that lifesaving measures were attempted before she was declared deceased, and their investigation found no signs of trauma or foul play. The probe into her death remains ongoing.