There were numerous reports on Monday afternoon that musician Tom Petty died after suffering a massive heart attack. 66-year-old Petty was found unconscious on Sunday evening after suffering full cardiac arrest.
Petty was discovered in his home in Malibu, California and was rushed to the UCLA Santa Monica Hospital. According to TMZ, the musician was unconscious and not breathing when he was discovered. Dana York, Tom Petty's wife of 16 years, is the one who called 911. When Petty arrived at the hospital, it was reported that he showed no brain activity.
Petty has two daughters from his first marriage to Jane Benyo. The couple was married for 22 years before they divorced in 1996. His oldest daughter Adria is 42-years-old, and his other daughter, Annakim Violette, is 35. Petty also has a step son, Dylan Petty.
Impressive career
Tom Petty has a long and impressive musical résumé which started over 40 years ago back in 1976. He found success as a solo artist and also with his two bands, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and the Traveling Wilburys.
In 2002, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Described as America's band and champions of the average citizen, those at the Rock Hall had nothing but great things to say about the group.
They were said to be the quintessential American individualists who sing about ordinary struggles in an extraordinary way.
On the night of the induction, the band was introduced by Jakob Dylan, who is the son of Bob Dylan and lead singer of The Wallflowers.
40th anniversary tour
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers just wrapped up their 40th anniversary tour on September 25.
The last show took place at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. The band played three shows at the Hollywood Bowl between September 21 and 25.
The huge tour kicked off on April 20 at Cheseapeake Energy Center in Oklahoma City, OK. From there, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers visited over 40 cities with stops in Nashville, New Orleans, Cleveland, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Seattle, and San Diego.
Towards the end of 40th anniversary tour, Petty did come down with laryngitis and bronchitis. This isn't uncommon for singers who are on a long tour. None of the shows were cancelled, but some were rescheduled as advised by the musician's doctor. Petty must have made a full recovery as he and the band completed all of the dates scheduled on the tour.