UPDATE (2): “On behalf of the Tom Petty family we are devastated to announce the untimely death of our father, husband, brother, leader and friend Tom Petty.
He suffered cardiac arrest at his home in Malibu in the early hours of this morning and was taken to UCLA Medical Center but could not be revived.
He died peacefully at 8:40pm PST surrounded by family, his bandmates and friends.
– Tony Dimitriades, longtime manager of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers on behalf of the family”
UPDATE/ CORRECTION (1): CBS News erroneously reported Tom Petty as being deceased. Initially the outlet reported information obtained officially from the Los Angeles Police Department about the musician’s status. The LAPD later said it was not in a position to confirm information about the singer and that “initial information was inadvertently provided to some media sources.” The department then apologized for “any inconvenience in this reporting.” Petty, however, is clinging to life after suffering full cardiac arrest.
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According to CBS News, musician Tom Petty has died after suffering full cardiac arrest. The legendary rocker was found unconscious and not breathing in his Malibu, California home Sunday night and passed away at the UCLA Santa Monica Hospital.
Petty is best known for his work with his band, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Among the group’s biggest hits were “American Girl,” “Free Fallin’,” “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around,” “I Won’t Back Down,” and “Mary Jane’s Last Dance.”
Though not a country artist and at times critical of modern country music, Petty certainly left his mark on a slew of country music hit-makers. Over the summer, Chris Stapleton linked up with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers for their milestone 40th Anniversary Tour at Wrigley Field in Chicago on June 29th, as well as two nights at Milwaukee’s Summerfest on July 5th and 6th.
In December, Petty shared with Rolling Stone that he thought this would be the group’s last tour together. He said, “It’s very likely we’ll keep playing, but will we take on 50 shows in one tour? I don’t think so. I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was thinking this might be the last big one. We’re all on the backside of our sixties. I have a granddaughter now I’d like to see as much as I can. I don’t want to spend my life on the road. This tour will take me away for four months. With a little kid, that’s a lot of time.”
In honor of his memory, enjoy the 1989 hit song “I Won’t Back Down” below. Rest in peace, Tom.
Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers – “I Won’t Back Down”
“I Won’t Back Down” Lyrics
Well, I won’t back down
No, I won’t back down
You can stand me up at the gates of hell
But I won’t back down
No, I’ll stand my ground
Won’t be turned around
And I’ll keep this world from draggin’ me down
Gonna stand my ground
And I won’t back down
(I won’t back down)
Hey, baby, there ain’t no easy way out
(I won’t back down)
Hey, I will stand my ground
And I won’t back down
Well I know what’s right
I got just one life
In a world that keeps on pushin’ me around
But I’ll stand my ground
And I won’t back down
(I won’t back down)
Hey, baby, there ain’t no easy way out
(I won’t back down)
Hey, I will stand my ground
And I won’t back down
Hey baby, there ain’t no easy way out
(I won’t back down)
Hey, I won’t back down
(I won’t back down)
Hey, baby, there ain’t no easy way out
(I won’t back down)
Hey, I will stand my ground
And I won’t back down
No, I won’t back down
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