NFR Tom Petty

[kiwian]

Another star has gone.

[brightster]

Another good one has passed away.
Tom Petty died on Monday after suffering a heart attack on Sunday evening at his home in Malibu, several reports said.

The music legend was found unconscious and rushed to UCLA Santa Monica Hospital, where he was placed on a life support machine, TMZ reported citing law enforcement sources.

However, the 66-year-old, who completed a six-month world tour with his band Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers last week, was declared brain dead and a decision was made to withdraw life support, reports stated.

Tributes to the star poured in on social media, with many people saying Petty's songs had helped them cope with the shock earlier in the day of the worst mass shooting in US history in Las Vegas.

Fellow musicians paid their respect top the singer. Sheryl Crow tweeted: "I love you so much. You are in my prayers."

Petty, who sold more than 80 million records, had a string of hits across a career that lasted five decades, including Free Falin', American Girl, Refugee and I Won't Back Down.

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.

The star completed a six-month world tour at the Hollywood Bowl last Monday, which was to mark the 40th anniversary of his band.

Petty said he knew he wanted to be a musician from an early age having watched the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show. He dropped out of school at 17 and joined his first band, Mudcrutch.

In 1976 he formed Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, with their eponymous debut album gaining far more success in the UK than the US.

Recalling his first gig in Britain in 1976, as a supporting act for Nils Lofgren, Petty told the Telegraph in a 2012 interview: "The audience just jumped up and charged the stage and were boogieing their brains out. It was such a rush. Wow, we had never seen anything like that, man."

Petty also performed as part of the 1980s supergroup, the Traveling Wilburys, alongside  Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne and Roy Orbison.

[Mince n Tatties]

He's not dead.
BBC just said he is on a life support machine and critical...Certain papers jumping the gun with their headlines.

[gang]

Saw him this year at Hyde Park, brilliant evening, here's hoping he recovers.

[Milo]

Can't believe this!

Was playing his vinyl literally thirty minutes ago!

Mary Janes Last Dance was always my favourite... gutted!

[thebumponleroyshead]

Noooooooo I just saw him. Hope he pulls through.

[RaySmith]

Shocked and saddened  to hear this-


https://youtu.be/0tFVL-cB6Sg

RIP Tom

[Supermitch]

Another great gone.  Very saddened to hear the news.

Saw him at Wembley Arena around 25 years ago.  Tom and the Heatbreakers played their set and were superb.  They then stayed on stage as the backing band for Bob Dylan.

[Mince n Tatties]

Yes he's passed now,family asked for machine to be turned off....RIP Tom.

[hovewhite]

RIP sir

[bog]

Another one gone of those whose talents help us survive this sh**ty world. RIP


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[WhiteJC]

one of my favourite songs...

RIP

[Twig]

One of the true greats and despite his successes oddly underrated by some.  I will be indulging in an evening of his vinyl tonight in his memory.  RIP Tom.

[Barrett487]

A great 'rocker', he'll be sadly missed.

American Girl got me into Tom

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNgt7U9QrFQ

[Neil D]

Not familiar with him but from the bits I've heard today on the media, I have to say I'm not going to miss him.

[love4ffc]

Truly one of greatest.  His songs where always uplifting. 

[alfie]

Not familiar with him but from the bits I've heard today on the media, I have to say I'm not going to miss him.

Why bother saying anything, you could have passed post by

[Neil D]

Not familiar with him but from the bits I've heard today on the media, I have to say I'm not going to miss him.

Why bother saying anything, you could have passed post by

Is this a hagiography only thread, then?

[cmg]

'Refugee', with Mike Campbell's fabulous riff, would be one of my Desert Island Discs.

[Twig]

Not familiar with him but from the bits I've heard today on the media, I have to say I'm not going to miss him.

If you aren't familiar then you aren't qualified to comment.  You should have just passed this thread over.