Rocker Tom Petty dead at 66
(Updated) Rock n’ roll icon Tom Petty has died. TMZ reported that after being discovered unconscious and in full cardiac arrest inside his Malibu, California, home on Sunday, October 1, the 66-year-old was rushed to the UCLA Santa Monica Hospital where he was placed on life support. By 12:30 p.m. on Monday, Petty was showing no brain activity and a decision was made to cease life support.
There was some confusion on Monday concerning his passing after police in Los Angeles stated that they could not actually confirm the singer’s death. Later on Monday though, Petty’s publicist and family released the following statement, shared by The Independent: “We are devastated to announce the untimely death of our father, husband, brother, leader and friend Tom Petty. He suffered cardiac arrest at his home in Malibu in the early hours of this morning and was taken to UCLA Medical Center but could not be revived. He died peacefully at 8:40pm local time surrounded by family, his bandmates and friends.”
Teamrock.com shared the following tributes:
Petty’s Traveling Wilburys bandmate Bob Dylan tells Rolling Stone: “It’s shocking, crushing news. I thought the world of Tom. He was a great performer, full of the light, a friend, and I’ll never forget him.”
Steven Van Zandt says: “Our deepest love and condolences to his family and band. A brother and true believer.”
Kiss star Gene Simmons tweets: “Another great man gone too soon. Tom Petty, you were an exceptional talent. Your legacy lives on.”
Fans have appreciated Tom Petty’s pure rock and roll style since he debuted with his band The Heartbreakers in the 1970s. Also known for his stoner rock style with tunes like “Mary Jane’s Last Dance,” Petty has long been considered a classic rock and roll artist in his own right.
One thing he doesn’t get credit for, and a credit that’s long overdue, is that Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers almost single-handedly saved the music world from Disco. Not to take anything away from artists of the day like Donna Summer, The Bee Gees and The O’Jays, but many of us feared that rock and roll was dying a slow disco death.
But in 1976, Petty and the Heartbreakers released their first self-named album, “Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers,” and breathed new rock life into the radio waves with hits like “Breakdown” and “American Girl.” And although he continued to perform with The Heartbreakers, Tom also enjoyed a successful solo career and helped found The Traveling Wilburys in the 1980s along with big name buds George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison and Jeff Lynne. Petty and the Heartbreakers had just finished up their 40th anniversary tour which culminated at the Hollywood Bowl on September 25.
Over the years, Petty sold more than 80 million records worldwide, was one of the best-selling artists of all time, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. With no further ado, here are his top ten best songs, subjectively selected.
- #10 “American Girl” From the 1976 debut album “Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.” Thanks again guys for slowing down the “Saturday Night Fever” disco train.
- #9 “I Won’t Back Down” Petty gets defiant. This was supposed to be a solo album, but most of the Heartbreakers performed on it. From his best-selling 1989 album “Full Moon Fever.” Ringo Starr played the drums on the video, but not on the actual track.
- #8 “Refugee” The song credited with putting Tom over the top and securing his musical stardom. “You don’t have to live like a refugaeee.”
- #7 “Don’t Do Me Like That” Lyrics we can all relate to. Actully written in the early 70s when the Heartbreakers were still going by the band name Mudcrutch.
- #6 “Free Fallin’” Petty’s highest-charting single from the “Fool Moon Fever” album. Many fans thought the song was about the freedom found in skateboarding, while most believe it’s a song about a guy who knew he screwed up when he broke it off with the perfect girl.
- #5 “Learning to Fly” Great storyline with Petty looking back in time but with an eye toward the future. Jeff Lynne shared composing credits with Petty. Recorded right after the Traveling Wilburys first got together.
- #4 “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” There’s a version of this song without Stevie Nicks singing along; but most fans prefer the 1981 duet with Stevie.
- #3 “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” Again, a song with potentially different meanings. Is it a song about leaving a girl behind, or just a song about getting high? Knowing Petty, many would vote for the latter. Memorable guitar intro.
- #2. “I Need to Know” Powerful and classic rock and roll. A great song to sing backup vocals to while in the car.
- #1. “Runnin’ Down a Dream” Without a doubt the best car driving song ever. The lead guitar intro alone is worth its weight in rock and roll gold. Best played at maximum volume.
Rest in peace Tom Petty. You will be missed – but your music will live on.
(Cover image credit: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers / Facebook)
Written by Richard Webster
