In Memoriam
Tom Petty
October 20, 1950 – October 2, 2017 · aged 66
Heartland Rock · Classic Rock
Thomas Earl Petty was the quintessential American rock star, flawlessly blending the jangle of The Byrds with the swagger of The Rolling Stones. Born in Florida in 1950, he and his band, The Heartbreakers, provided the soundtrack to millions of lives with timeless, effortlessly cool anthems like 'American Girl' and 'Free Fallin'.' Petty was a fierce defender of artistic integrity, famously battling his record label—and even filing for bankruptcy—to keep his album prices affordable for fans. His laid-back drawl, blonde hair, and knack for crafting perfect, simple melodies made him a beloved fixture on FM radio for four decades. He also formed the ultimate supergroup, the Traveling Wilburys, alongside Bob Dylan, George Harrison, and Roy Orbison. He died of an accidental prescription drug overdose on October 2, 2017, at 66, just days after completing a massive 40th-anniversary tour.
Milestones
Free Fallin', American Girl, Mary Jane's Last Dance
Also remembered in 2017
- Chester Bennington (1976–2017)
- Chris Cornell (1964–2017)
- Chuck Berry (1926–2017)
- Fats Domino (1928–2017)