Tom Petty
Background information
Birth name	Thomas Earl Petty
Born	October 20, 1950 (1950-10-20) (age 57)
Origin	Gainesville, Florida
Genre(s)	Rock
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter, guitarist
Instrument(s)	Guitar, vocals, harmonica, piano, bass guitar, drums
Years active	1971–present
Label(s)	Shelter, Backstreet, MCA, Warner Bros., American
Associated acts	Mudcrutch Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Traveling Wilburys
Website	www.tompetty.com
Notable instrument(s)
Rickenbacker 660/12 Rickenbacker 360/12 Vox Mark III

Thomas Earl "Tom" Petty (born October 20, 1950) is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist who is the frontman of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and was a member of the Traveling Wilburys. Events 1740 - Maria Theresa takes the throne of Austria. France, Prussia, Bavaria and Saxony Year 1950 ( MCML) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Gainesville is the largest City in and County seat of Alachua County, Florida, United States. Florida ( is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other Rock music is a genre of Popular music often though not necessarily employing Electric guitar, Bass guitar, and Drums. Singer-songwriter is a term that refers to Performers who write, compose and sing their own material including Lyrics A guitarist is a Musician who plays the Guitar. Guitarists may perform solo pieces or play with ensembles and bands of a wide variety of genres A musical instrument is a device constructed or modified for the purpose of making Music. The guitar is a Musical instrument with ancient roots that is used in a wide variety of musical styles A harmonica is a free reed Wind instrument which is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes (reed chambers or The piano is a Musical instrument played by means of a keyboard that produces sound by striking steel strings with Felt covered hammers The electric bass guitar (also called electric bass, or simply bass; ˈbeɪs as in "base" is a Stringed instrument played primarily with the A drum kit (also drum set or trap set) is a collection of Drums Cymbals and sometimes other Percussion instruments such as cowbells In the Music industry, a record label can be a Brand and a Trademark associated with the Marketing of music recordings and Music Shelter Records was a Record label started by Leon Russell and Denny Cordell that operated from 1969 to 1981 Backstreet Records was an MCA Records subsidiary label founded in 1979 by Danny Bramson who at the time was executive director of MCA's Universal Amphitheatre MCA Records was an American -based record company owned by MCA Inc Warner Bros Records Inc is an American Record label that operates as a wholly owned Subsidiary of Warner Music Group. This article is about the record label For the Johnny Cash album released by that same label see American Recordings (album American Recordings Mudcrutch is a rock band from Gainesville Florida best known for being the forerunner of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Traveling Wilburys was a supergroup consisting of George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty and Bob Dylan. For the American WWI fighter pilot see Eddie Rickenbacker. For the airport see Rickenbacker International Airport. For the American WWI fighter pilot see Eddie Rickenbacker. For the airport see Rickenbacker International Airport. The Mark VI is a Electric guitar made by Vox. The instrument is also known as the Vox Teardrop, but this is not the official name Events 1740 - Maria Theresa takes the throne of Austria. France, Prussia, Bavaria and Saxony Year 1950 ( MCML) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Traveling Wilburys was a supergroup consisting of George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty and Bob Dylan. He has recorded a number of hit singles, many of which remain heavily played on adult contemporary and classic rock radio. Petty is also a vocal critic of the modern recording industry and the disappearance of independent radio stations. The record industry is the part of the Music industry that sells Sound recordings of Music. ^[1]

Petty has been supported by his band, The Heartbreakers, for the majority of his career. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are an American rock band formed in 1975 by Tom Petty He has occasionally released solo work, as is the case with 2006's Highway Companion^[2], on which he performed most of the backing instrumentation himself. Highway Companion is the third solo Album by American Musician Tom Petty, first released in late July 2006 (see 2006 in However, members of The Heartbreakers have played on each of his solo albums and the band has always backed him when touring in support of those albums. Petty has been managed by Tony Dimitriades since 1976. ^[3] On February 3, 2008, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers performed at the Bridgestone Super Bowl XLII Halftime show. ( is a Japanese Rubber conglomerate founded in 1931 by in the city of Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan Super Bowl XLII featured the National Football Conference (NFC champion New York Giants and the American Football Conference (AFC champion New England ^[4]

Contents 1 Early life 2 Recording artist 2.1 Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers (1976–1987) 2.2 Traveling Wilburys, solo career, and return to the Heartbreakers (1988–1991) 2.3 Move to Warner Bros. Records (1991–present) 3 Acting 4 Honors 5 Views on artistic control 6 Personal life 7 Equipment 8 The Heartbreakers 9 Discography 10 See also 11 References 12 External links

Early life

Tom Petty was born and raised in Gainesville, Florida, USA. Gainesville is the largest City in and County seat of Alachua County, Florida, United States. His interest in rock and roll music began at age 11 when he met Elvis Presley, taking guitar lessons from Eagle-to-be Don Felder. Rock and roll (also known as rock 'n' roll) is a form of Music that evolved in the United States in the late 1940s and early 1950s with roots in mostly African ^[5] He was once a member of the University of Florida's grounds crew (though he was never a student at the university) and planted a tree that is now called the Tom Petty tree. ^[6] In the summer of 1961, his uncle was working on the set of Presley's film Follow That Dream in nearby Ocala, Florida and invited Petty to come down and watch the shoot. Follow That Dream is a 1962 Musical film starring Elvis Presley. Ocala is a city in Marion County, Florida, United States. As of 2007 the population recorded by the U ^[7] He instantly became an Elvis Presley fan and soon traded his Wham-O slingshot for a box of Elvis 45s. Wham-O Inc is a Toy company currently located in California, USA. A gramophone ^[3] In a 2006 interview on the National Public Radio program Fresh Air, Petty said that he knew he wanted to be in a band the moment he saw The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show. Fresh Air is a Radio talk show hosted by Terry Gross, broadcast on National Public Radio stations across the United States The Ed Sullivan Show was an American television Variety show that ran from June 20, 1948 to June 6, ^[8]

Petty also overcame a difficult relationship with his father, who found it hard to accept that his son was "a mild-mannered kid who was interested in the arts" and subjected him to verbal and physical abuse on a regular basis. Petty was extremely close to his mother, and remains close to his brother Bruce, whom he describes as "a prince". ^[9][10][11]

Recording artist

Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers (1976–1987)

After working with his early bands -The Sundowners, The Epics and Mudcrutch (the third with drummer Randall Marsh, and future Heartbreakers members Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench)^[12] he began his recording career with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, the band's 1976 debut album, which was initially unpopular in the United States. Mudcrutch is a rock band from Gainesville Florida best known for being the forerunner of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. A drummer is a Musician who plays a Drum or drums particularly a Drum kit ("drum set" or "trap set" Marching percussion Michael (Mike Wayne Campbell (born February 1 1950 in Panama City FL in the U Benjamin Montmorency (Benmont Tench III (born September 7, 1953) an American Keyboardist, best known as a founding member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers is the eponymous debut album by the band of the same name, released in late 1976 The single "Breakdown" was re-released in 1977 and peaked at #40 in early 1978 after the band toured in the United Kingdom in support of Nils Lofgren. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located For the Swedish scientist who developed the anaesthetic Lidocaine, see Nils Löfgren. The debut album was released by Shelter Records, which at that time was distributed by ABC Records. Shelter Records was a Record label started by Leon Russell and Denny Cordell that operated from 1969 to 1981 ABC Records started in 1955 as ABC-Paramount Records the record label of Am-Par Record Corporation (a subsidiary of American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres ^[2]

Their second album, You're Gonna Get It!, marked the band's first Top 40 album^[2] and featured the singles "I Need To Know" and "Listen To Her Heart. You're Gonna Get It! is the second album by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, released in 1978 The Top Forty or Top 40 is a music industry shorthand for the currently most-popular songs in a particular genre. " Their third album, Damn the Torpedoes, quickly went platinum, selling nearly two million copies; it includes their breakthrough singles "Don't Do Me Like That" and "Refugee. Damn the Torpedoes is an album by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers released in 1979 (see 1979 in music) In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of Albums and singles sold through retail and ^[13]

In September 1979, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers performed at a Musicians United for Safe Energy concert at Madison Square Garden in New York. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are an American rock band formed in 1975 by Tom Petty Musicians United for Safe Energy, or MUSE, was an Activist group founded in 1979 by Jackson Browne, Graham Nash, Bonnie Raitt Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG, and known colloquially as The Garden, has been the name of four Arenas in New York City. ^[14] Their rendition of "Cry To Me" was featured on the resulting No Nukes album. ^[15]

1981's Hard Promises became a top-ten hit, going platinum and spawning the hit single "The Waiting. Hard Promises is the fourth Album by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers released in May 1981 " The album also featured Petty's first duet, "Insider" with Stevie Nicks. Stephanie Lynn "Stevie" Nicks (born on May 26 1948 in Phoenix Arizona) is an American Singer-songwriter, best known for her work with Fleetwood

Bass player Ron Blair quit the group, and was replaced on the fifth album (1982's Long After Dark) by Howie Epstein; the resulting line-up would last until 1994. Ron Blair (born Ronald Edward Blair September 16 1948, in San Diego) was the original Bassist for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Long After Dark is the fifth Album by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, released in November 1982 on Backstreet Records. Howard Norman Epstein ( July 21, 1955 - February 23, 2003) was a musician best known for his work with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers In 1985, the band participated in Live Aid, playing four songs at Philadelphia's John F. Kennedy Stadium. Live Aid was a multi-venue rock music concert held on. The event was organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia Philadelphia (ˌfɪləˈdɛlfiə John F Kennedy Stadium (or JFK Stadium) was an open-air stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that stood from 1925 to 1992 The same year, it released Southern Accents, which included the hit single "Don't Come Around Here No More," which was produced by Dave Stewart. Southern Accents is a 1985 album by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. David Allan Stewart, often known as Dave Stewart (born September 9, 1952 in Sunderland) is an English Musician and The song's video featured Petty dressed as the Mad Hatter, mocking and chasing Alice from the book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, then cutting and eating her as if she were a cake. The Hatter is a fictional character initially encountered at a tea party in Lewis Carroll 's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and later again as " Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865 is a novel written by English author Charles Lutwidge Dodgson better known under the Pseudonym Lewis It was criticized by feminist groups. Feminism is a discourse that involves various movements theories, and Philosophies which are concerned with the issue of Gender difference, advocate The ensuing tour led to the live album Pack Up the Plantation: Live! and to an invitation from Bob Dylan; Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers joined him on his True Confessions tour and also played some dates with the Grateful Dead in 1986 and 1987. Pack Up the Plantation Live! is the first Live album by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, released in 1985 Bob Dylan (born Robert Zimmerman, May 24 1941 in Duluth, Minnesota) is an American singer-songwriter author poet and painter who has been a major The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Also in 1987, the group released Let Me Up (I've Had Enough). Let Me Up (I've Had Enough is an album by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, released in 1987 It includes "Jammin' Me," which Petty wrote with Dylan.

Traveling Wilburys, solo career, and return to the Heartbreakers (1988–1991)

In 1988, Petty became a founding member of the Traveling Wilburys, along with Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Roy Orbison, and Jeff Lynne. Traveling Wilburys was a supergroup consisting of George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty and Bob Dylan. Bob Dylan (born Robert Zimmerman, May 24 1941 in Duluth, Minnesota) is an American singer-songwriter author poet and painter who has been a major George Harrison, MBE (25 February 1943 – 29 November 2001 was an English rock Guitarist Singer - Songwriter, Author Roy Kelton Orbison ( April 23 1936 &ndash December 6 1988) nicknamed "The Big O" was an influential Grammy Award -winning Jeffrey Lynne (born 30 December 1947 in Shard End, Birmingham) is a Grammy Award -winning English rock Songwriter The band's first song, "Handle With Care," was intended as a B-side of one of Harrison's singles, but was judged too good for that purpose and the group decided to record a full album, Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1. Traveling Wilburys Vol 1 is the debut album by the supergroup Traveling Wilburys and was recorded and released in 1988 to enormous commercial Traveling Wilburys Vol 1 is the debut album by the supergroup Traveling Wilburys and was recorded and released in 1988 to enormous commercial A second Wilburys album, incongruously titled Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3 and recorded without the recently deceased Orbison, followed in 1990. Traveling Wilburys Vol 3 is the 1990 follow-up album by the supergroup Traveling Wilburys to their 1988 debut Traveling Wilburys Vol

In 1989, Petty released Full Moon Fever, which featured hits "I Won't Back Down," "Free Fallin'" and "Runnin' Down A Dream". Full Moon Fever is the first solo album by Tom Petty, though it features contributions from several members of his backing band the Heartbreakers along with " I Won't Back Down " is the first single from Tom Petty 's first solo album Full Moon Fever released in 1989 " Free Fallin' " is the opening track from Tom Petty 's 1989 solo album Full Moon Fever. " Runnin' Down a Dream " is a Song by Tom Petty, released in 1989 on his first solo album Full Moon Fever. It was nominally his first solo album, although several Heartbreakers and other well-known musicians participated: Mike Campbell co-produced the album with Petty and Jeff Lynne of Electric Light Orchestra, and backing musicians included Campbell, Lynne, and fellow Wilburys Roy Orbison and George Harrison (Ringo Starr appears on drums in the video for "I Won't Back Down," but they were actually performed by Phil Jones). Michael (Mike Wayne Campbell (born February 1 1950 in Panama City FL in the U Jeffrey Lynne (born 30 December 1947 in Shard End, Birmingham) is a Grammy Award -winning English rock Songwriter Ringo Starr, MBE (born Richard Starkey on 7 July 1940 is an English Musician, Singer, Songwriter and Actor " I Won't Back Down " is the first single from Tom Petty 's first solo album Full Moon Fever released in 1989 Since all the original Traveling Wilburys except Bob Dylan participated on the album, it is sometimes considered the unofficial second Wilbury record.

Petty rejoined with the Heartbreakers for his next album, Into the Great Wide Open, in 1991. Into the Great Wide Open is the eighth studio Album by American Rock band Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, first released in It was co-produced by Lynne and included the hit singles "Learning To Fly" and "Into The Great Wide Open," the latter featuring Johnny Depp, Gabrielle Anwar, Faye Dunaway, and Matt LeBlanc in the video. " Learning To Fly " is a popular track by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. " Into the Great Wide Open " is the third song on the 1991 album Into the Great Wide Open by the group Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. John Gabrielle Anwar (born February 4, 1970) is an English actress known for her roles in the 1990s films Scent of a Woman, The Three Dorothy Faye Dunaway (born January 14, 1941) known as Faye Dunaway, is an American actress. Matthew Stephen LeBlanc (born July 25, 1967) is an Emmy and Golden Globe Award -nominated American Actor, best known for

Move to Warner Bros. Records (1991–present)

In 1989, while still under contract to MCA, Petty secretly signed a lucrative deal with Warner Bros. Records. Warner Bros Records Inc is an American Record label that operates as a wholly owned Subsidiary of Warner Music Group. ^[16] His first album on his new label, 1994's Wildflowers, included the singles "You Don't Know How It Feels," "You Wreck Me," "It's Good to Be King" and "A Higher Place". Wildflowers is the second solo Album by American Musician Tom Petty, released in November 1994 (see 1994 in music) The album, produced by acclaimed producer Rick Rubin, was a huge success and sold over 3 million copies in the U. Frederick Jay "Rick" Rubin (born March 10 1963 in Lido Beach New York) is an American Record producer and is currently S.

In 1996, Petty reunited with the Heartbreakers and released a soundtrack to the movie She's the One, starring Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Aniston (see Songs and Music from "She's the One"). She's the One is a 1996 Romantic comedy written and directed by Edward Burns and starring Burns Jennifer Aniston, and Cameron Cameron Michelle Díaz (born August 30 1972 is a Golden Globe - BAFTA - and SAG -Award nominated U Jennifer Joanna Aniston (born February 11 1969 is an American Film and television actress. Songs and Music from "She's the One" is the ninth studio Album by American Rock band Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers The album's singles were "Walls (Circus)" (featuring Lindsey Buckingham), "Climb that Hill" and a song written by Lucinda Williams, "Change the Locks. Lindsey Adams Buckingham (born October 3, 1949) is an American Guitarist and Singer, most notable for being a member of the musical group A song is a Musical composition. Songs contain vocal parts that are performed 'sung' and generally feature Words ( Lyrics) commonly followed Lucinda Williams (born January 26, 1953) is an American rock, folk, and Country music singer and songwriter " The album also included a cover of "Asshole," a song by Beck. Asshole (or arsehole in British English) is Slang for the Anus and can be used to describe an unpleasant person Beck' s birth name was Bek see the sources given This is not a typo and should not be changed without good reason The same year, the band accompanied Johnny Cash on Unchained, for which Cash would win a Grammy for Best Country Album (Cash would later cover Petty's "I Won't Back Down" on American III: Solitary Man). Johnny Cash (born J R Cash; February 26 1932 - September 12 2003 was a Grammy Award -winning American country Singer-songwriter. Unchained is the second album in Johnny Cash 's American Recording series The Grammy Awards (originally called the Gramophone Awards)—or Grammys —are presented annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences " I Won't Back Down " is the first single from Tom Petty 's first solo album Full Moon Fever released in 1989 American III Solitary Man is the third album in the American series by Johnny Cash.

In 1999, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers released their last album with Rubin at the helm, Echo. Echo is the tenth studio Album by United States Rock band Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, first released in April 1999 (see Two songs were released as singles in the U. S. , "Room at the Top" and "Free Girl Now. " The album reached number 10 in the U. S. album charts.

Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers played "I Won't Back Down" at the America: A Tribute to Heroes benefit concert for victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks. " I Won't Back Down " is the first single from Tom Petty 's first solo album Full Moon Fever released in 1989 America A Tribute to Heroes was a Benefit concert organized by actor George Clooney and broadcast The following year, they played "Taxman," "I Need You," and "Handle With Care" (joined for the last by Jeff Lynne, Dhani Harrison, and Jim Keltner) at the Concert for George in honor of Petty's friend and former bandmate George Harrison. "Tax man" redirects here For the profession see Tax collector. " I Need You " is a Beatles song on the album Help! (see 1965 in music) " Handle with Care " is the first track from the Traveling Wilburys 1988 album Traveling Wilburys Vol Jeffrey Lynne (born 30 December 1947 in Shard End, Birmingham) is a Grammy Award -winning English rock Songwriter Dhani Harrison (born August 1, 1978) is an English musician and the son of George Harrison of The Beatles. Jim Keltner (born April 27 1942 in Tulsa Oklahoma) is a distinguished session drummer who has contributed to the work of many well-known artists The Concert for George was held at the Royal Albert Hall in London on 29 November 2002 as a memorial to George Harrison on the first

2002's The Last DJ included several attacks on the music industry, criticizing it for greed, watering down music, and releasing pop music made by scantily-clad young women and reached number 9 on the U. The Last DJ is the eleventh studio Album by American Rock band Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, first released in early October S. charts.

In 2005, Tom Petty began hosting his own show "Buried Treasure" on XM Radio, on which he shares selections from his personal record collection.

In February 2006 Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers agreed to be the headline act at the fifth annual Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival is a four-day annual Music festival, created and produced by Superfly Productions and AC Entertainment, first held in 2002 In July 2006, Petty released a new solo album titled Highway Companion. Highway Companion is the third solo Album by American Musician Tom Petty, first released in late July 2006 (see 2006 in It debuted at number 4 on the Billboard charts, becoming Petty's highest chart position since the introduction of the Nielsen SoundScan system for tracking album sales in 1991. Nielsen SoundScan is an information system created by Mike Fine and Mike Shalett that tracks sales of music and music video products throughout the United States and Canada In 2006, the American Broadcasting Company hired Petty to do the music for its National Basketball Association playoffs coverage. The American Broadcasting Company ( ABC) is an American Television network. The NBA Playoffs is a best-of-seven elimination tournament between sixteen teams in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference (called Divisions

During the summer of 2007, Tom Petty reunited with his old bandmates Tom Leadon and Randall Marsh along with Heartbreakers Benmont Tench & Mike Campbell to reform his pre-Heartbreakers band Mudcrutch. Mudcrutch is a rock band from Gainesville Florida best known for being the forerunner of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. The quintet recorded a new album together scheduled for release April 29, 2008. The disc contains 14 tracks. "We would play and then we would just talk about the old days," Tom Leadon says.

In January 2008, it was announced that the band would be embarking on a North American Tour which set to start on May 30 following the appearance at Super Bowl XLII. Events 1416 - The Council of Constance, called by the Emperor Sigismund a supporter of Antipope John XXIII burns Jerome of Prague following ^[17].

On February 3, 2008, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers performed during the halftime-show of Super Bowl XLII (Super Bowl 42) at the University of Phoenix Stadium. Events 1112 - Ramon Berenguer III of Barcelona and Douce I of Provence marry uniting the fortunes of those two states 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Super Bowl XLII featured the National Football Conference (NFC champion New York Giants and the American Football Conference (AFC champion New England University of Phoenix Stadium is a multipurpose football Stadium located in Glendale Arizona. During the halftime-show they played "American Girl," "I Won't Back Down," "Free Fallin'," and "Runnin' Down a Dream," in that order. " American Girl " is the second single from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers ' self-titled debut album. " I Won't Back Down " is the first single from Tom Petty 's first solo album Full Moon Fever released in 1989 " Free Fallin' " is the opening track from Tom Petty 's 1989 solo album Full Moon Fever. " Runnin' Down a Dream " is a Song by Tom Petty, released in 1989 on his first solo album Full Moon Fever. 'I Won't Back Down' was used in the closing credits of the coverage on BBC2.

In April of 2008, Petty's original pre-Heartbreakers band called "Mudcrutch" released an album that had been recorded after they reunited in 2007. The band formed in 1970 in Gainesville, FL before relocating to California where they released one single in 1974 before breaking up. The band featured Petty on bass guitar and vocals, future Heartbreakers Mike Campbell on guitar and Benmont Tench on keyboards plus others. The band supported the 2007 album with a brief tour of California in early 2008 before Petty resumed a scheduled tour with the Heartbreakers during June-August of 2008.

Acting

Tom Petty's first appearance in film took place in 1978, when he had a cameo in FM. FM is a 1978 film directed by John A Alonzo, and starring Michael Brandon, Eileen Brennan, Alex Karras and Cleavon He later had a small part in 1987's Made In Heaven, and appeared in several episodes of It's Garry Shandling's Show between 1987 and 1990, playing himself as one of Garry Shandling's neighbors. It's Garry Shandling's Show was an American Television show broadcast on Showtime from 1986 to 1990 Garry Shandling (born November 29, 1949) is an American Comedian. Petty was also featured in Shandling's other show, The Larry Sanders Show, as one of the show-within-the-show's final guests. The Larry Sanders Show is a satirical television Sitcom that originally aired from August 1992 to May 1998 on the HBO Cable television network In the episode, Petty gets bumped from the show and nearly comes to blows with Greg Kinnear. Gregory Kinnear (born June 17, 1963) is an Academy Award -nominated American Actor and Television personality, who Petty also appeared as The Bridge City Mayor (and from the dialogue it's implied that he is playing a future version of himself) in the 1997 movie, The Postman, directed by and starring Kevin Costner. The Postman is a 1997 Film adaptation of the award-winning post-apocalyptic themed novel of the same name, written in 1985 by author Kevin Michael Costner (born January 18, 1955) is an American Actor, producer and Academy Award -winning director

In 2002 he appeared on The Simpsons in the episode "How I Spent My Strummer Vacation". " How I Spent My Strummer Vacation " is the second episode of The Simpsons ' fourteenth season. In it, he spoofed himself as a "tutor" to Homer Simpson on the art of lyric writing, composing a brief song about a drunk girl driving down the road while concerned with the state of public schools. Homer Jay Simpson is a main fictional character in the animated television series The Simpsons and father of the eponymous family. Later in the episode, he loses a toe during a riot.

Petty currently has a recurring role as Lucky in the animated show King of the Hill. King of the Hill is an American animated series created by Mike Judge and Greg Daniels for the Fox Broadcasting Company

In 2008, Petty made a guest appearance as himself in the Comedy Central show Lil Bush's season 2 finale. Comedy Central is an American Cable television and Satellite television channel that carries predominantly Comedy programming Lil' Bush is a satirical, politically-themed animated television series which premiered on June 13, 2007 on Comedy He is asked to write a song for Bush and his cronies. At the end, he is shown riding off into the sunset in a flying car alongside Iggy Pop, who is a regular voice actor on the series. James Newell Osterberg Jr (born April 21, 1947) better known by his Stage name Iggy Pop, is an American rock singer Songwriter Petty thus joined various musical guest stars on the show, including iggy, Dave Grohl of Nirvana and Foo Fighters, and Anthony Kiedis and Flea of The Red Hot Chili Peppers. David Eric Grohl (born January 14 1969 is an American rock musician Singer and Songwriter. In sramanic philosophy Nirvana (निर्वाण| Nirvāṇa; निब्बान Nibbāna; Prakrit: णिव्वाण Foo Fighters is an American Alternative rock and Post-grunge band formed by singer/guitarist Dave Grohl in 1995 Anthony Kiedis (kiːdɪs "kee-dis" (born November 1 1962 is an American musician and the lead singer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Michael Peter Balzary (born October 16 1962 more commonly known by the Stage name Flea, is an Australian-born American Bassist, Trumpet player Red Hot Chili Peppers are

Honors

Petty has been honored with 18 Grammy Award nominations since 1981. The Grammy Awards (originally called the Gramophone Awards)—or Grammys —are presented annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences In that year he received his first nomination for "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" in the category of Best Rock Performance By A Duo or Group With Vocal. As a member of the Traveling Wilburys, he earned a Grammy Award in 1989 for Best Rock Performance By A Duo or Group With Vocal for Traveling Wilburys Volume One. The Grammy Awards (originally called the Gramophone Awards)—or Grammys —are presented annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences In 1995 he received another Grammy for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance for "You Don't Know How It Feels" and engineers David Bianco, Jim Scott, Richard Dodd and Stephen McLaughlin won the Grammy for Best Engineered Album (Non-Classical) for Wildflowers, which also garnered a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Album.

Other Wildflowers achievements included Best Male Video Award for "You Don't Know How It Feels" at the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards. The MTV Video Music Awards were established in the end of the summer of 1984 by MTV to celebrate the top Music videos of the year Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers won the same award in 1994 with the video for "Mary Jane's Last Dance". At the 1994 ceremony, Petty was also presented with the Video Vanguard Award, citing his longtime contributions to the field. In accepting the award though, Petty denied his work was any more important than anyone else's, saying that all artistic expression was equally valid.

In 1994, You Got Lucky, a Tom Petty tribute album featuring such bands as Everclear and Silkworm was released. A tribute album is a recorded collection of Cover versions of songs or instrumental compositions Everclear is a rock band formed in Portland, Oregon, USA, in 1992 Silkworm was an Indie rock band active from 1987 to 2005 The members were Tim Midgett, Joel RL Phelps, Andy Cohen, and Michael

In April 1996, Petty received the UCLA's George and Ira Gershwin Award for Lifetime Musical Achievement. The University of California Los Angeles (generally known as UCLA) is a public research university located in Westwood Los Angeles, California, United The next month, Petty won the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers' Golden Note Award. The American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers ( ASCAP) is a non-profit Performance rights organization that protects its

In 1999 Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for their contribution to the recording industry. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a Sidewalk along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in Hollywood Los Angeles California, USA, that

In 2002, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a Museum located on the shores of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland Ohio, United States On December 6, 2005, Petty received the Billboard Century Award for his lifetime achievements. Events 1060 - Béla I of Hungary is crowned king of Hungary 1240 - Mongol invasion of Rus: Kiev Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The same year, Conversations with Tom Petty, an oral history/biography comprised of interviews conducted in 2004 and 2005 with Petty by music journalist Paul Zollo, was published (ISBN 1-84449-815-8).

On September 21, 2006, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers received the keys to the city of Gainesville, Florida, where he and his bandmates either lived or grew up. Events 1217 - The Estonian tribal leader Lembitu of Lehola was killed in a battle against Teutonic Knights. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Gainesville is the largest City in and County seat of Alachua County, Florida, United States. ^[18] From July 2006 until 2007 the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio featured an exhibit of Tom Petty items. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a Museum located on the shores of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland Ohio, United States Cleveland is a City in the US state of Ohio and the County seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state Much of the content was donated by Petty himself during a visit to his home by some of the Hall's curatorial staff. On October 14, 2007, Peter Bogdanovich's documentary film on Petty's career entitled Runnin' Down A Dream premiered at the New York Film Festival. Events 1066 - Norman Conquest: Battle of Hastings - In England on Senlac Hill seven miles from Hastings, the forces Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Peter Bogdanovich ( Serbian Cyrillic: Петар Богдановић Latin: Petar Bogdanović (born July 30, 1939, is an American The New York Film Festival is the one of the most important film festivals in the United States first held in 1963 in New York.

Views on artistic control

Petty is known as a staunch guardian of his creative control and artistic freedom. In 1979, he was dragged into a legal dispute when ABC Records was sold to MCA Records. MCA Records was an American -based record company owned by MCA Inc He refused to be transferred to another record label without his consent. In May of 1979, he filed for bankruptcy and was signed to the new MCA subsidiary Backstreet Records. Backstreet Records was an MCA Records subsidiary label founded in 1979 by Danny Bramson who at the time was executive director of MCA's Universal Amphitheatre

In early 1981, the upcoming Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers album, which would become Hard Promises, was slated to be the next MCA release with the new list price of $9. 98, following Steely Dan's Gaucho and the Olivia Newton-John/Electric Light Orchestra Xanadu soundtrack. Steely Dan is a American rock band centered on core members Walter Becker and Donald Fagen. Olivia Newton-John, AO, OBE (born September 26 1948) is a Grammy Award -winning and Golden Globe -nominated English-born The soundtrack to the 1980 movie Xanadu featured songs on side one of the album written by John Farrar and performed by Olivia Newton-John, and songs on side two performed This so-called "superstar pricing" was $1. 00 more than the usual list price of $8. 98. ^[19] Petty voiced his objections to the price hike in the press and the issue became a popular cause among music fans. Non-delivery of the album and naming it Eight Ninety-Eight were considered, but eventually MCA decided against the price increase. ^[20]

In 1987, Petty sued tire company B.F. Goodrich for $1 million for using a song very similar to his song "Mary's New Car" in a TV commercial. Goodrich Corporation (formerly the BF Goodrich Company), is an American Aerospace manufacturing company based in Charlotte North Carolina The ad agency that produced the commercial had previously sought permission to use Petty's song but was refused. A judge issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting further use of the ad and the suit was later settled out of court. ^[21]

Some have claimed that the Red Hot Chili Peppers single "Dani California", released in May 2006, is very similar to Petty's Mary Jane's Last Dance. Red Hot Chili Peppers are " Dani California " is the first single from the American Alternative rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers ' ninth studio album Stadium Arcadium ^[22] Petty told Rolling Stone, "I seriously doubt that there is any negative intent there. Rolling Stone is a United States -based Magazine devoted to Music, Politics, and Popular culture that is published And a lot of rock 'n' roll songs sound alike. Ask Chuck Berry. Charles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry (born October 18 1926 in St The Strokes took 'American Girl' [for their song 'Last Nite'], and I saw an interview with them where they actually admitted it. That made me laugh out loud. I was like, 'OK, good for you' . . . If someone took my song note for note and stole it maliciously, then maybe [I'd sue]. But I don't believe in lawsuits much. I think there are enough frivolous lawsuits in this country without people fighting over pop songs. "^[23]

Personal life

His first marriage, to Jane Benyo, lasted 22 years. He spent most of those years working, on the road or in the studio. He has two daughters Adria & Annakim by that marriage. Since 2001 he has been married to Dana York, whom he first met years earlier when she came to one of his concerts. ^[24]

In 1987, an arsonist set fire to Petty's house in Encino, California. The fire caused $1 million in damage but firefighters were able to salvage the basement recording studio and the original tapes stored there, as well as his Gibson Dove acoustic guitar. Petty later rebuilt the house. ^[25][26]

Equipment

Tom Petty owns and has used a number of guitars over the years. From 1976-1982, his main instrument was a sunburst 1963 Fender Stratocaster. During the 2006 Highway Companion tour, Tom pulled the old workhorse out for a few songs. He has also used a number of Rickenbacker guitars from 1979 onwards, notably the Rose Morris 1993 and 1997 models and the 360/12 and 660/12 models. For the American WWI fighter pilot see Eddie Rickenbacker. For the airport see Rickenbacker International Airport. The Rickenbacker 660/12 was designed by Petty (specifically the neck) and featured his signature from 1991-1998. Petty has also used various Gibson Firebirds, Fender Telecasters, Gibson SGs, a Vox Mark III and a number of different Gretsch guitars. The Gibson Firebird is a solid-body electric Guitar manufactured by Gibson from 1963 to the present The Fender Telecaster, also known as the Tele (pronounced Telly is typically a dual-pickup solid-body Electric guitar made by Fender. The Gibson SG is a popular model of solid-bodied Electric guitar that was introduced in the early 1960s The Mark VI is a Electric guitar made by Vox. The instrument is also known as the Vox Teardrop, but this is not the official name Gretsch is a US Musical instrument manufacturer currently being distributed by Guitar company Fender and Drum craft company For acoustic guitars, Petty has had a signature C. F. Martin HD-40, and has written virtually all of his songs on a Gibson Dove acoustic. The Gibson Dove is a flattop Steel-string acoustic guitar made by Gibson Guitar Corporation.

Petty currently uses a Vox AC-30 and Vox Super Beatle amp. The Vox AC30 is a guitar amplifier manufactured by Vox and known for its "jangly" high-end sound

The Heartbreakers

1976–1982	Tom Petty - lead vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica Mike Campbell - lead guitar Ron Blair - bass guitar Benmont Tench - keyboards, backing vocals Stan Lynch - drums, percussion, backing vocals
1982–1991	Tom Petty - lead vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica Mike Campbell - lead guitar Howie Epstein - bass guitar, backing vocals, mandolin Benmont Tench - keyboards, backing vocals Stan Lynch - drums, percussion, backing vocals
1991–1994	Tom Petty - lead vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica Mike Campbell - lead guitar, mandolin Scott Thurston - rhythm guitar, harmonica, backing vocals, percussion, piano Howie Epstein - bass guitar, backing vocals Benmont Tench - keyboards, backing vocals Stan Lynch - drums, backing vocals
1994–2002	Tom Petty - lead vocals, rhythm guitar Mike Campbell - lead guitar, mandolin Scott Thurston - rhythm guitar, harmonica, backing vocals, piano Howie Epstein - bass guitar, backing vocals Benmont Tench - keyboards, backing vocals Steve Ferrone - drums, percussion
2002–present	Tom Petty - lead vocals, rhythm guitar Mike Campbell - lead guitar, mandolin Scott Thurston - rhythm guitar, harmonica, backing vocals, piano Ron Blair - bass guitar, backing vocals Benmont Tench - keyboards, backing vocals Steve Ferrone - drums, percussion

Discography

Main article: Tom Petty discography

See also

• List of best-selling music artists
• List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Mainstream Rock chart

References

External links

• Official Site
• Official Fan Club
• Mudcrutch Farm - Fan Community
• Tom Petty at the Internet Movie Database
• Tom Petty at Myspace
• Tom Petty at YouTube
• Tom Petty Gigography Tour History 1976–1999

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