Tom Petty facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tom Petty
Petty performing in Denmark in 2012
Background information
Birth name	Thomas Earl Petty
Also known as	Charlie T. Wilbury Jr. Muddy Wilbury
Born	(1950-10-20)October 20, 1950 Gainesville, Florida, U.S.
Died	October 2, 2017(2017-10-02) (aged 66) Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Genres	Rock heartland rock roots rock country rock southern rock
Occupation(s)	Musician singer songwriter
Instruments	Vocals guitar harmonica
Years active	1967–2017
Labels	Shelter Backstreet MCA Warner Bros. American Reprise
Signature

Thomas Earl Petty (October 20, 1950 – October 2, 2017) was a famous American musician. He was the main singer and leader of the rock bands Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Mudcrutch. Tom Petty was also part of a supergroup called the Traveling Wilburys in the late 1980s. He also had a very successful career as a solo artist.

Tom Petty had many hit songs and albums. Some of his most famous songs with the Heartbreakers include "American Girl" (1976), "Don't Do Me Like That" (1979), and "Free Fallin'" (1989). He sold over 80 million records around the world. This makes him one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

In 2002, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This is a special place for very important musicians. In 2017, he was honored for his music and for helping others. Tom Petty also did some acting, like being the voice of Lucky Kleinschmidt in the cartoon show King of the Hill.

Tom Petty passed away at age 66. This was just one week after his band finished their 40th Anniversary Tour in 2017.

Early Life and Music Dreams

Tom Petty was born in Gainesville, Florida, on October 20, 1950. He was the first of two sons. His mom, Kitty, worked at a tax office, and his dad, Earl, was a traveling salesman.

Tom Petty grew up in a neighborhood called the Duckpond. After he passed away, a special marker was placed there. A nearby park was also renamed Tom Petty Park.

His love for rock and roll music started when he was ten. This was after he met the famous singer Elvis Presley.

In 1961, his uncle worked on Elvis Presley's movie Follow That Dream. He invited Tom to watch the filming. Tom instantly became a huge Elvis fan. He even traded his slingshot for a collection of Elvis records! Tom said that Elvis "glowed" when he met him.

Don Felder, who later joined the band Eagles, said he taught Tom Petty how to play guitar. However, Tom Petty said Don taught him piano instead. When he was young, Tom worked at the University of Florida. He also worked for a short time as a gravedigger.

Music Career Highlights

Starting with Mudcrutch and the Heartbreakers

Tom Petty first started a band called the Epics. This band later became Mudcrutch. Future Heartbreakers Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench were in this band. Mudcrutch was popular in Gainesville, but their songs did not become famous.

After Mudcrutch broke up, Tom Petty decided to try a solo career. But he soon teamed up with Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench, Ron Blair, and Stan Lynch. Together, they formed the first lineup of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

Petty (center) with the Heartbreakers in 1977

Their first album, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, became more popular in Britain than in America. Songs like "American Girl" became hits after they toured the United Kingdom.

Their second album, You're Gonna Get It!, was their first to reach the Top 40 charts. Their third album, Damn the Torpedoes, sold nearly two million copies very quickly. It included hit songs like "Don't Do Me Like That" and "Refugee".

In 1979, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers played at a concert for safe energy in New York. Their song "Cry to Me" was on the album from this concert.

Their fourth album, Hard Promises (1981), was also a big hit. It had the popular song "The Waiting". This album also featured Tom Petty's first duet, "Insider," with singer Stevie Nicks.

Ron Blair, the bass player, left the band. Howie Epstein replaced him for their fifth album, Long After Dark (1982). This album included the hit song "You Got Lucky". In 1985, the band played at Live Aid, a huge concert to help people.

The album Southern Accents was also released in 1985. It had the hit song "Don't Come Around Here No More". The music video for this song was very creative. It showed Tom Petty dressed as the Mad Hatter from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

The band then went on tour and released a live album. They also toured with Bob Dylan and played some shows with the Grateful Dead. In 1987, they released Let Me Up (I've Had Enough), which included "Jammin' Me", a song Tom Petty wrote with Bob Dylan.

Traveling Wilburys and Solo Success

In 1988, Tom Petty became a founding member of the Traveling Wilburys. This supergroup included other famous musicians like George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, and Jeff Lynne. Their first song, "Handle with Care", was so good they decided to make a whole album, Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1.

A second Wilburys album, Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3, came out in 1990. Roy Orbison had passed away by then. Tom Petty often played Traveling Wilburys songs at his own concerts.

In 1989, Tom Petty released Full Moon Fever, his first solo album. It had huge hits like "I Won't Back Down", "Free Fallin'", and "Runnin' Down a Dream". Many Heartbreakers and other famous musicians helped with this album.

Petty and the Heartbreakers got back together in 1991. They released Into the Great Wide Open. This album included hit songs like "Learning To Fly". The music video for "Into the Great Wide Open" featured actors Johnny Depp and Faye Dunaway.

Before leaving MCA Records, the band recorded two new songs for a Greatest Hits album. These were "Mary Jane's Last Dance" and "Something in the Air". This was the last time Stan Lynch recorded with the Heartbreakers. The Greatest Hits album sold over ten million copies.

Later Years and Final Tours

In 1994, Tom Petty released Wildflowers, his second solo album. It had many popular songs like "You Don't Know How It Feels". This album sold over three million copies in the United States.

In 1996, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers released the soundtrack for the movie She's the One. That same year, the band played on Johnny Cash's album Unchained. Johnny Cash later covered Tom Petty's song "I Won't Back Down."

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers performing live at the Verizon Amphitheatre, Indianapolis, 2006

In 1999, the band released Echo. It reached number 10 on the US album charts.

After the September 11, 2001 attacks, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers played "I Won't Back Down" at a benefit concert. The next year, they played at the Concert for George. This concert honored their friend and former bandmate George Harrison.

Tom Petty's 2002 album, The Last DJ, was about problems in the music industry. The album reached number nine on the Billboard 200 album chart.

In 2005, Tom Petty started his own radio show called "Buried Treasure" on XM Satellite Radio. He would play songs from his own music collection.

Petty performing at the Nissan Pavilion in Bristow, Virginia, 2006

In 2006, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were the main performers at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. Special guests like Stevie Nicks joined them on stage for some songs.

In July 2006, Tom Petty released another solo album called Highway Companion. It included the hit song "Saving Grace". This album reached number four on the Billboard 200, which was a very high spot for him.

In 2007, Tom Petty got back together with his old Mudcrutch bandmates. They recorded an album of 14 songs. The band also toured California in 2008.

Petty performing in San Francisco in 2016

On February 3, 2008, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers performed at the Super Bowl XLII halftime show. They played "American Girl", "I Won't Back Down", "Free Fallin'", and "Runnin' Down a Dream". Later that year, they toured North America. In 2009, a collection of their live recordings from 1978 to 2006 was released.

The band's twelfth album, Mojo, came out in 2010. It reached number two on the Billboard 200 album chart. Tom Petty said the album was "Blues-based." To promote the album, the band performed on Saturday Night Live.

In 2012, the band went on a world tour. This was their first time playing in Europe in 20 years.

On July 28, 2014, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers released their thirteenth studio album, Hypnotic Eye. This album was their first to reach number one on the Billboard 200 chart. In 2015, the Tom Petty Radio channel started on SiriusXM.

In 2017, the Heartbreakers began their 40th Anniversary Tour of the United States. The tour started in April and ended on September 25. Their very last show was at the Hollywood Bowl in California. It ended with a performance of "American Girl."

After his death, a special collection of his music was released in 2018. It was called An American Treasure. This set included many songs that had never been released before.

Acting Roles

Tom Petty also had a small acting career. In 1978, he appeared in the film FM. He also had a small part in the 1987 movie Made in Heaven. He played himself in several episodes of It's Garry Shandling's Show.

In 1997, Tom Petty was in the movie The Postman, starring Kevin Costner. He played the mayor of Bridge City. In 2002, he was on The Simpsons in an episode called "How I Spent My Strummer Vacation". He voiced himself as a tutor helping Homer Simpson write songs.

From 2004 to 2009, Tom Petty had a regular voice role. He was the voice of Lucky Kleinschmidt in the animated show King of the Hill.

Protecting His Music

Tom Petty was very protective of his music and his artistic freedom. In 1979, he had a legal issue when his record company was sold. He did not want to be moved to another label without his permission. He even filed for bankruptcy to fight for his rights.

In 1981, his album Hard Promises was going to be sold for a higher price than usual. This was called "superstar pricing." Tom Petty spoke out against this price increase. He believed it was unfair to fans. Because of his actions, the record company decided not to raise the price.

In 1987, Tom Petty sued a tire company. They used a song in a TV commercial that sounded very much like his song "Mary's New Car." The company had asked to use his song but were told no. The lawsuit was settled, meaning they reached an agreement outside of court.

Tom Petty also did not allow politicians to use his songs for their campaigns. He said his family would do the same, stating he would never want his music used for a "campaign of hate."

In 2015, it was announced that Tom Petty would receive money from the song "Stay with Me" by Sam Smith. The writers of Sam Smith's song noticed it sounded similar to Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down." Tom Petty said he didn't think Sam Smith copied him on purpose. He said, "All my years of songwriting have shown me these things can happen."

Personal Life

Tom Petty married Jane Benyo in 1974. They had two daughters, Adria and Annakim. They divorced in 1996.

In 1987, an arsonist set fire to Tom Petty's house in California. Firefighters saved his recording studio and his music tapes. His special gray top hat, however, was destroyed. The person who started the fire was never caught.

On June 3, 2001, Tom Petty married Dana York. She had a son named Dylan from a previous marriage.

In an interview, Tom Petty said he knew he wanted to be in a band the moment he saw the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show. He said it looked like so much fun. He dropped out of high school at age 17 to play bass in his new band.

He also said that the Rolling Stones were "my punk music." He felt they showed him that he and other musicians like him could succeed in rock and roll.

Death

Tom Petty was found unconscious at his home on October 2, 2017. He was taken to the hospital in Santa Monica, California. He passed away later that evening.

A memorial service for Tom Petty was held on October 16, 2017. This was four days before what would have been his 67th birthday.

Musical Instruments

Tom Petty owned and used many guitars over the years. From 1976 to 1982, he mainly used a 1964 Fender Stratocaster. He also used Rickenbacker guitars starting in 1979. He even helped design the Rickenbacker 660/12TP guitar neck.

He also played several Fender Telecasters and a Guild D25 12-string acoustic guitar. For his sound, he often used two Fender Vibro-King amplifiers.

Awards and Honors

In 1994, a special album called You Got Lucky was released. It was a tribute album to Tom Petty, with other bands playing his songs.

In April 1996, Tom Petty received a special award from UCLA. It was for his lifetime achievements in music. The next month, he won the Golden Note Award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.

Hollywood Walk of Fame star

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1999. This honored their contributions to the music industry.

In December 2001, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame also had an exhibit of his items from 2006 to 2007.

Rolling Stone magazine ranked him 91st on their list of the Greatest Artists of All Time.

Tom Petty received the Billboard Century Award in December 2005. This is the highest honor for creative achievement from the organization.

In September 2006, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers received the keys to the city of Gainesville, Florida. This is where he and his bandmates lived or grew up.

A documentary film about Tom Petty's career, called Runnin' Down a Dream, came out in 2007.

In February 2017, Tom Petty was honored as the MusiCares Person of the Year. This was for his contributions to music and for his charity work.

A week after he passed away in 2017, a tribute to Tom Petty was painted on a wall in Gainesville. It said, "Love you always, Gainesville No. 1 Son, Thanks, Tommy."

In October 2018, on what would have been his 68th birthday, Gainesville renamed a park Tom Petty Park. He had often visited this park when he was young.

In December 2021, the University of Florida gave Tom Petty an honorary Ph.D. after he passed away.

Three of his albums are on Rolling Stone magazine's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list. These are Wildflowers, Damn the Torpedoes, and Full Moon Fever. Two of his songs, "American Girl" and "Free Fallin'", are on the magazine's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list.

In October 2022, the University of Florida's marching band dedicated their halftime show to Tom Petty's music. This was part of the university's first Tom Petty Day.

Discography

With the Heartbreakers

• Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (1976)
• You're Gonna Get It! (1978)
• Damn the Torpedoes (1979)
• Hard Promises (1981)
• Long After Dark (1982)
• Southern Accents (1985)
• Let Me Up (I've Had Enough) (1987)
• Into the Great Wide Open (1991)
• Songs and Music from "She's the One" (1996)
• Echo (1999)
• The Last DJ (2002)
• Mojo (2010)
• Hypnotic Eye (2014)

With the Traveling Wilburys

• Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 (1988)
• Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3 (1990)

Solo Albums

• Full Moon Fever (1989)
• Wildflowers (1994)
• Highway Companion (2006)

With Mudcrutch

• Mudcrutch (2008)
• 2 (2016)

Albums Released After His Death

• An American Treasure (2018)
• The Best of Everything (2019)
• Wildflowers & All the Rest (2020)
• Finding Wildflowers: Alternate Versions (2021)
• Angel Dream (Songs and Music from the Motion Picture 'She's the One') (2021)

Film and TV Appearances

See also

In Spanish: Tom Petty para niños