He was a real Heartbreaker, the man who wouldn’t back down. A thoughtful lyricist, emotive guitar player, and a real American dude. He was inducted into the Rock’n’roll Hall of Fame in 2002, and on Oct. 2, 2017, Tom Petty passed away at age 66.
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Full statement: pic.twitter.com/FGCVI5yIaa
— Tom Petty (@tompetty) October 3, 2017
Born in Gainesville, Fl., Petty fell in love with rock music when he was 10 after a meeting with Elvis. He knew he wanted to start a band after watching The Beatles perform on the Ed Sullivan Show. His band The Heartbreakers brought him around the world, and introduced him to Roy Orbinson, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, and Jeff Lyne, with whom he’d start an ’80s supergroup called the Traveling Wilburys.
His work on such hits as “American Girl,” “Don’t Come Around Here No More,” “I Won’t Back Down,” “Refugee,” and “Free Fallin'” have made him one of the genre’s brightest legends. His dry wit and instantly-recognizable voice made him an inspiration across styles. A lot of your favorite dance music artists were indelibly touched by his rhythms and point of vew. Here’s what some of them have to say.
What the hell is going on today. Now Tom Petty 🙁 RIP a real legend inspiration and icon to us
— THE CHAINSMOKERS (@TheChainsmokers) October 2, 2017
Tom Petty was unique in that his music was a bridge for two generations. Connecting kids to their parents with simple, beautiful rock songs
— Classixx (@Classixx) October 2, 2017
Too much sad news in one day. — pic.twitter.com/RkqHN94Iij
— FUNK DOCS (@Chromeo) October 2, 2017
wowwww R.I.P. tom petty 🙁
— @shalizi (@SlushiiMusic) October 2, 2017
Please not Tom Petty right now.
— The Knocks (@theknocks) October 2, 2017
RIP Tom Petty 🙁 damn
— Cannibal Aux (@atrak) October 2, 2017
I saw Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers w/ Bob Dylan in the 80’s. never once in a million years did I think that Dylan would outlive Tom. pic.twitter.com/d3EehKaii9
— Tommie Sunshine –?? (@tommiesunshine) October 2, 2017
RIP Tom Petty 🙁
— Alison Wonderland (@awonderland) October 2, 2017
Dani Deahl
“Music is probably the only real magic I have encountered in my life.” – RIP Tom Petty —
— Dani Deahl (@danideahl) October 2, 2017
RIP Tom Petty. Your music will always bring me joy
— right to it (@LouisTheChild) October 2, 2017
Tom petty 🙁
My heart is broken
— prince fox (@princefox) October 2, 2017
No Tom ——
— Matthew Koma (@MatthewKoma) October 2, 2017
RIP Tom Petty – he will be sorely missed. A huge inspiration for so many people
— Morgan Page (@morganpage) October 2, 2017
An artist who’s music truly changed my life. To have lived in a time. #RIPTomPetty pic.twitter.com/PTPv45r0gb
— Zane Lowe (@zanelowe) October 2, 2017