Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
- Formation:
- 1976, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Members:
- Tom Petty (vocals, guitar; 1976-2017), Mike Campbell (guitar; 1976-2017), Benmont Tench (keyboards; 1976-2017), Stan Lynch (drums; 1976-1994), Ron Blair (bass; 1976-1982, 2002-2017), Howie Epstein (bass; 1982-2002), Scott Thurston (guitar, keyboards, harmonica; 1991-2017), Steve Ferrone (drums; 1994-2017)
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Rock Band, Songwriters, Musicians
- Genre(s):
- Heartland rock, Southern rock
- Active:
- 1976 – 2017
Early Life and Education
- Tom Petty, the lead vocalist and guitarist, was born October 20, 1950, in Gainesville, Florida. He died October 2, 2017, in Santa Monica, California.
- The band formed in Gainesville, Florida, out of the remnants of Petty's previous band, Mudcrutch.
Career and Major Achievements
- Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers achieved mainstream success with their self-titled debut album in 1976.
- The band released numerous commercially and critically acclaimed albums throughout their career.
- They toured extensively and were known for their energetic live performances.
- Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers performed at Live Aid in 1985.
- The band released several platinum-selling albums including Damn the Torpedoes (1979), Hard Promises (1981), Full Moon Fever (1989, Tom Petty solo album with Heartbreakers backing), and Into the Great Wide Open (1991).
- They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.
- The band played their 40th-anniversary tour in 2017, shortly before Petty's death.
Notable Works
Discography
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers | Shelter |
| 1978 | You're Gonna Get It! | Shelter |
| 1979 | Damn the Torpedoes | MCA |
| 1981 | Hard Promises | Backstreet/MCA |
| 1982 | Long After Dark | Backstreet/MCA |
| 1985 | Southern Accents | MCA |
| 1987 | Let Me Up (I've Had Enough) | MCA |
| 1991 | Into the Great Wide Open | MCA |
| 1993 | Greatest Hits | MCA |
| 1994 | Wildflowers (Tom Petty solo) | Warner Bros. |
| 1996 | Songs and Music from "She's the One" | Warner Bros. |
| 1999 | Echo | Warner Bros. |
| 2002 | The Last DJ | Warner Bros. |
| 2010 | Mojo | Reprise |
| 2014 | Hypnotic Eye | Reprise |
Legacy and Impact
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers left an enduring legacy as one of America's most beloved rock bands. Their music continues to be played and appreciated by generations of fans. The enduring appeal of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers biography stems from the band's consistent quality songwriting and musicianship over a long career.