Tom Petty biography

Synopsis

Early Career

Singer, songwriter, musician. Born on October 20, 1950, in Gainesville, Florida. One of the most enduring performers in rock and roll, Petty began playing with local bands while in his teens. He left high school to tour with his country-influenced rock band Mudcrutch.

While Mudcrutch never made it big, it did contain some of the future members of the Heartbreakers - Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench. Petty joined with Campbell, Tench, Ron Blair, and Stan Lynch in 1975 to form Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. The next year, they released their first self-titled album, which featured two popular tracks, "American Girl" and "Breakdown."

Commercial Success

After resolving some legal and financial problems in the 1970s, Petty continued on his path to musical stardom. The band's third album Damn the Torpedoes (1979) went platinum - based in part on the success of singles like "Don't Do Me Like That" and "Refugee." Petty also sang a duet with Stevie Nicks entitled "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" for her album Bella Donna (1981) with the Heartbreakers lending their musical talents to the track.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers found more success with their next two albums Hard Promises (1981) and Long After Dark (1982), which featured such hits as "A Woman in Love" and "You Got Lucky." The next album didn't come together as easily. Southern Accents (1985) took three years to make, and Petty punched a wall and broke his hand, allegedly out of frustration. In 1986, Petty and the Heartbreakers later toured with Bob Dylan, serving as his band.

The late 1980s brought many changes for Petty. He faced a personal setback in 1987 when his San Fernando Valley, California house burned down, destroying most of what he owned. The next year he joined forces with Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Roy Orbison, and Jeff Lynne to form the Traveling Wilburys. This group of musical superstars released their first self-titled album that year to warm reviews and strong sales.

Solo Debut

Working with Lynne, Petty took a break from the Heartbreakers and put out his first solo album Full Moon Fever in 1989. The album sold more than 3 million copies and scored hits with "Free Fallin'," "Runnin' Down a Dream," and "I Won't Back Down." That next year, Petty reunited with Lynne, Dylan, and Harrison to release the oddly titled Traveling Wilburys, Vol.