Tom Petty, portrait, New York, 1977. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images)

Tom Petty, both as a solo artist and as the lead singer of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, had a career that spanned several decades with numerous highlights. Here are some of the most notable ones:

  1. Formation of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: In 1976, after moving from his previous band Mudcrutch, Petty formed the Heartbreakers, with members Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench, Ron Blair, and Stan Lynch.
  2. Albums:
    • “Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers” (1976): The band’s debut album included hits like “Breakdown” and “American Girl”.
    • “Damn the Torpedoes” (1979): This is one of the band’s most successful albums, featuring tracks like “Refugee” and “Don’t Do Me Like That”.
    • “Full Moon Fever” (1989): A solo album by Petty, it includes iconic tracks like “Free Fallin'”, “I Won’t Back Down”, and “Runnin’ Down a Dream”.
    • “Wildflowers” (1994): Another successful solo album with tracks like “You Don’t Know How It Feels” and “It’s Good to Be King”.
  3. The Traveling Wilburys: In the late 1980s, Petty became part of the supergroup, which also included George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, and Jeff Lynne. They released two albums and received critical acclaim.
  4. Hits: Over his career, Petty released numerous hits, including “Learning to Fly”, “Mary Jane’s Last Dance”, and “Into the Great Wide Open”, among others.
  5. Super Bowl Performance: In 2008, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers performed at the halftime show of Super Bowl XLII.
  6. Awards and Nominations: Over the years, Petty received numerous awards, including three Grammy Awards and was nominated for many others.
  7. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: In 2002, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
  8. Tours: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were known for their live performances and went on several highly successful tours throughout their career.
  9. Activism and Advocacy: Petty was also known for his advocacy for artists’ rights. He famously stood up to record companies on more than one occasion over pricing and contracts.
  10. Final Tour: In 2017, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers embarked on their 40th-anniversary tour, which sadly became their last as Petty passed away later that year.
  11. Passing: Tom Petty died on October 2, 2017, leaving behind a legacy of timeless music and a significant mark on the rock and roll genre.

These are just a few highlights from the illustrious career of Tom Petty. His influence and impact on rock music are undeniable, and his work continues to be celebrated by fans and musicians around the world.

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