Breaking: Rock Legend Tom Petty, Dead At 66

Rock Legend Passes After Suffering Cardiac Arrest

It’s with a heavy heart that we report the death of rock legend Tom Petty, dead tonight at the age of 66 after suffering a cardiac episode from which he could not recover.

Petty was rushed to UCLA Medical Center this morning after paramedics converged on his Malibu home to find him in full cardiac arrest and despite valiant attempts to revive him, the decision was ultimately made to remove Petty from life support. He clung to life until 8:40pm local time when, surrounded by his wife, children, and band mates, he succumbed to his  injuries.

A native of Gainesville, Florida, Tom Petty overcame a childhood riddled with abuse at the hands of his father to launch a musical legacy that began with Florida based band Mudcrutch. It was ultimately his decision to head west to Los Angeles that resulted in  the musical opportunity that would further shape his legacy as one of rock’s most celebrated figures: the Heartbreakers, for whom Petty served as lead singer and guitarist until his deBeyond a musical legacy that includes songs like “Free Fallin'” and “American Girl,”  a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, three Grammy wins and another 18 nominations, Petty leaves behind a loving family that includes wife Dana York, two daughters, and a stepson.

Our hearts are with you all during this difficult time,  and we thank Tom for the decades of music and memories he shared with us.