![By Ирина Лепнёва [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], from Wikimedia Commons](https://spartanshield.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/475px-Tom_Petty_Live_in_Horsens_cropped2-900x900-1538663959.jpg)
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Tom Petty transcended into the heavens after suffering from cardiac arrest the morning of October 2, 2017 in his home in Malibu. He could not be revived after being sent to the hospital. Petty’s manager, Tony Dimitriades wrote a statement saying, “He died peacefully at 8:40PM PST surrounded by family, his bandmates, and friends.” Petty wrote music that soundtracked many American’s lives and his music will live on forever.
The afternoon of October 2nd, Rolling Stone magazine was under fire after falsely reporting the death of Petty. Petty’s daughter, Annakim Violette, went to Instagram to exploit the magazine’s wrong fact. Violette wrote, “You put the worst artists on your covers do zero research. How dare you report that my father has died just to get press because your articles and photos are so dated… This is my father, not a celebrity. An artist and human being.” In addition to Rolling Stone, there were many other magazines and websites that reported the same incorrect story. They had prematurely written Petty’s death before getting actual confirmation.
Petty was born in Florida on October, 20th, 1950. He grew up listening to the Beatles and Elvis Presley. Petty was so completely absorbed with music in high school he choose to drop out and create his first band. At the age of 24, Petty married his first wife Jane Benyo with whom he had two daughters. The infamous band, “Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers” originated in 1976. Some of Petty’s greatest hits formed during his time with this band such as “Breakdown” and “Mary Jane’s Last Dance.” With a great classic rock sound, “The Heartbreakers” sold millions of albums and toured internationally. Petty was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.
Petty passed away just after finishing the Heartbreakers 40th anniversary tour. Thank you, Tom for sharing your beautiful music with many fans, listeners, and music lovers. Rock and roll heaven has gained yet another timeless angel.
“Music is probably the only real magic I have encountered in my life. There’s not some trick involved with it. It’s pure and it’s real. It moves, it heals, it communicates and does all these incredible things.”
Rest in Peace Tom Petty
10/20/1950 – 10/2/2017
