Fans in Malibu and around the world were stunned to learn Monday of the unexpected death of rock ‘n’ roll legend Tom Petty. The Malibu resident was rushed late Sunday to UCLA—Santa Monica hospital after suffering cardiac arrest at his home. Initial reports said EMTs discovered a pulse and Petty was put on life support. Later, when no brain activity was detected and a “do not resuscitate” order was in place, a decision was made to eliminate life saving measures. The influential mega star clung to life for hours, enabling family and friends to rush to his bedside where he was pronounced dead later in the evening.
On Monday, amid a barrage of reports on the devastating Las Vegas shootings, many news outlets ran with reports of Petty’s death prematurely. His good friend, music icon and fellow Malibu resident Bob Dylan was one of the first to issue a statement that read, “It’s shocking, crushing news. I thought the world of Tom. He was a great performer, full of the light, a friend and I’ll never forget him.”
Petty rose to fame in the late 1970s. After forming rock bands in his hometown of Gainesville, Fla., he made a move to Los Angeles. With his band, The Heartbreakers, Petty made a name for himself breaking the mold of typical corporate rock ‘n’ roll that dominated the airwaves at the time. Record executives initially grouped him with New Wave artists gaining popularity at the time, but his signature style was independent, combining roots-based blues and classic rock. Throughout his 40-year career, he often fought with record companies over independence, going as far as filing bankruptcy in order to get out of what he considered a bad record deal. When a record company wanted to raise prices on his work and that of other “premium” artists, he resisted.
His prominence rising along with the success of MTV, Petty became a beloved video star as well. Among his many hits are “Breakdown,” “American Girl,” “Refugee,” “Don’t Do Me Like That,” “The Waiting,” “I Won’t Back Down,” “Free Fallin,” “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” and “Don’t Come Around Here,” just to name a few.
Described as a quintessential American rocker, his songs were often about disillusionment. He gained the respect of his older peers and became a member of the super-group The Traveling Wilburys playing guitar, singing and writing songs with some of his idols—Roy Orbison, George Harrison, Bob Dylan and Jeff Lynne—in the late 1980s. Petty won three Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. He also had his own radio channel on Sirius-XM with a popular show, “Buried Treasures.”
Petty had just finished an exhausting 40th anniversary tour with his band The Heartbreakers—the last show Monday, Sept. 25, at the Hollywood Bowl. Local Realtor and musician Shen Shulz was up front at the last show and told The Malibu Times about his respect for Petty.
“He made hundreds of millions of people very happy with his music,” Shulz said. “It’s super sad to see him go so young. Having the special privilege to be at the very last concert, looking around and seeing thousands of people laughing and smiling—it was such an impact that one man and one band can make so many people so happy. He was very grateful to be back in LA. One of the last great freedom rockers has passed, sadly.”
Tom Petty was 66 years old and would have turned 67 on Oct. 20. He leaves behind a wife, two daughters, a stepson, a younger brother and a granddaughter he said he was looking forward to spending more time with.
