Thomas Earl Petty

Thomas Earl Petty, known as Tom Petty, was an influential American rock musician, songwriter, and record producer who rose to fame in the late 1970s with his band Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. He was celebrated for hits like 'American Girl' and 'Free Fallin,' and in 2002, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Petty's music was marked by a blend of rock, folk, and country influences. He passed away on October 2, 2017, from an accidental overdose of pain medication.