Tom Petty
Thomas Earl Petty (October 20, 1950 – October 2, 2017) was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He was the leader and frontman of the rock bands Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Mudcrutch and a member of the late 1980s supergroup the Traveling Wilburys. He was also a successful solo artist.
Over the course of his career, Petty sold more than 80 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling artists of all time. His hit singles with the Heartbreakers include "American Girl" (1976), "Don't Do Me Like That" (1979), "Refugee" (1980), "The Waiting" (1981), "Don't Come Around Here No More" (1985) and "Learning to Fly" (1991). Petty's solo hits include "I Won't Back Down" (1989), "Free Fallin'" (1989), and "You Don't Know How It Feels" (1994).
Petty and the Heartbreakers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. Petty was honored as MusiCares Person of the Year in February 2017 for his contributions to music and for his philanthropy. He also acted; he had a recurring role as the voice of Lucky Kleinschmidt in the animated comedy series King of the Hill from 2004 to the show's conclusion in 2009. Petty died of an accidental drug overdose in 2017 at the age of 66, one week after the end of the Heartbreakers' 40th Anniversary Tour.
On December 4, 2023, Petty's song "Love Is a Long Road" was used in the first trailer for Grand Theft Auto VI, which is considered one of the most anticipated video games ever made. This trailer gained over 90 million YouTube views within the first 24 hours. Because of this immense bump in popularity, the song itself gained nearly 1 million YouTube views in the same time span, gained a 36,979% increase on Spotify, had almost 250,000 searches on Shazam, and ranked second on the worldwide iTunes chart.
| Known For | Acting |
|---|---|
| Most Rating | 0.8589 |
| Birthday | 1950-10-20 |
| Place of Birth | Gainesville, Florida, USA |
| Also Known As | Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Traveling Wilburys, Charlie T. Jnr., Muddy Wilbury, Thomas Earl Petty, |
1980
No Nukes
10/1
Filmed account of the five MUSE (Musicians United for Safe Energy) concerts at Madison Square Garden and an outdoor rally at Battery Park in New York...
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No Nukes
2021
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band: The Legendary 1979 No Nukes Concerts
6.3/6
“The Legendary 1979 No Nukes Concerts,” a Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band film featuring ten never-before released performances from the Madis...
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Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band: The Legendary 1979 No Nukes Concerts
2007
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Runnin' Down a Dream
7.6/28
Directed by Peter Bogdanovich and packed with rare concert footage and home movies, this documentary explores the history of Tom Petty and the Heartbr...
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Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Runnin' Down a Dream
1997
The Postman
6.264/1186
In 2013, there are no highways, no I-ways, no dreams of a better tomorrow, only scattered survivors across what was once the United States. Into this...
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The Postman
2001
America | A Tribute to Heroes
6.545/11
A benefit concert and telethon organized by George Clooney and broadcast uninterrupted and commercial-free by the four major television networks just...
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America | A Tribute to Heroes
2003
Concert for George
8.063/63
As a memorial to George Harrison on the first anniversary of his passing, The Concert for George was held at the Royal Albert Hall in London on 29 Nov...
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Concert for George
1987
Made in Heaven
6.568/81
Deceased drifter Mike arrives in Heaven and quickly falls for newborn soul Annie, soon to start her assignment on Earth. When Annie leaves, Mike follo...
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Made in Heaven
2007
The True History Of The Traveling Wilburys
7/1
Spring, 1988: George Harrison asks Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty to spend a day in the studio at Bob Dylan's L.A. house. The result is "Handl...
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The True History Of The Traveling Wilburys
2007
Crystal Visions: The Very Best of Stevie Nicks
0/0
With a career that's seen her soar from struggling journeywoman to superstar via a fateful invitation to join Fleetwoood Mac, the singer who now bills...
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Crystal Visions: The Very Best of Stevie Nicks
2012
Mr. Blue Sky: The Story of Jeff Lynne & ELO
7.4/16
Documentary which gets to the heart of who Jeff Lynne is and how he has had such a tremendous musical influence on our world. The story is told by the...
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Mr. Blue Sky: The Story of Jeff Lynne & ELO
2013
Sound City
7.376/246
The history of Sound City and their huge recording device; exploring how digital change has allowed 'people that have no place' in music to become sta...
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Sound City
1999
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers - High Grass Dogs - Live from the Fillmore
7.5/1
High Grass Dogs - Live at the Fillmore features 19 songs performed by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers at the Fillmore in March 1999, from performances...
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Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers - High Grass Dogs - Live from the Fillmore
1993
Bob Dylan: The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration
7.471/17
On October 16, 1992, an impressive and eclectic group of artists gathered at Madison Square Garden in New York City for the purpose of celebrating the...
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Bob Dylan: The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration
2016
Night Flight: Born Again
0/0
Documentary tribute to what VH1 called “the single greatest rock omnibus program ever aired” and Brooklyn Vegan named “the most consistently weird and...
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Night Flight: Born Again
2014
Roy Orbison: Mystery Girl - Unraveled
6.5/4
The discography of Roy Orbison (1936-1988) - which yielded some of the most heartfelt, passionate classics of the rock ‘n’ roll era - shined even brig...
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Roy Orbison: Mystery Girl - Unraveled
1995
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers: Playback
8/2
From the lyrical juxtapositions of two generations of teenagers in "Free Fallin'" to the award winning "Mary Jane's Last Dance" featuring Kim Bassinge...
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Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers: Playback
1995
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: 400 Days
0/0
The film begins its tour at Andora Studios during the 1994 recordings of Wildflowers, then travels North America alongside the Heartbreakers as direct...
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Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: 400 Days
1986
Hard to Handle: Bob Dylan in Concert
9.5/2
Admired as one of the best lyricists of pop rock, Bob Dylan has his name recorded in music history. During his four decades career, he has been throug...
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Hard to Handle: Bob Dylan in Concert
2003
Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers: Live in Concert
6.4/4
Taped for a two-part PBS Soundstage, Petty employs the Chicago locale as an entry into the blues and R&B that are at the foundation of rock & roll, an...
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Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers: Live in Concert
1984
The Everly Brothers: Songs of Innocence and Experience
6/2
The Everly Brothers were among the most successful and revered of all the giants of early rock 'n' roll. A determining influence on the Beatles, Simon...
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The Everly Brothers: Songs of Innocence and Experience
2018
Elvis Presley: The Searcher
7.4/17
Two-part documentary about the life of Elvis Presley featuring interviews with his ex-wife Priscilla Presley, guitarist Scotty Moore, childhood friend...
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Elvis Presley: The Searcher
1997
Wired for Sound: A Guitar Odyssey
0/0
Wired For Sound documents the role of the Gibson guitar throughout the evolution of rock music.
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Wired for Sound: A Guitar Odyssey
1986
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Pack Up the Plantation - Live!
10/1
Pack Up the Plantation: Live! is the first live album by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, released in November 1985. It was primarily recorded at the...
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Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Pack Up the Plantation - Live!
1980
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers: Rock Goes to College
8/1
On March 24th, 1980, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers performed for BBCTV Rock Goes to College, at Oxford Polytechnic.
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Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers: Rock Goes to College
2012
Mike Campbell: The Guitars
0/0
A fifteen chapter web-documentary series directed by Justin Kreutzmann. The series is currently available exclusively on TomPetty.com for members of T...
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Mike Campbell: The Guitars
1985
Live Aid
7.913/52
Live Aid was held on 13 July 1985, simultaneously in Wembley Stadium in London, England, and the John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, United State...
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Live Aid
2019
Echo in the Canyon
6.8/44
A look at the roots of the historic music scene in L.A.'s Laurel Canyon featuring the music of iconic music groups such as The Byrds, The Beach Boys,...
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Echo in the Canyon
1994
Tom Petty: Going Home
9/1
Television documentary spanning Tom Petty's career from 1976-1994.
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Tom Petty: Going Home
1992
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Take the Highway Live
0/0
Recorded live at the Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, California on November 24th and at the Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada on November 23rd 1991
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Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Take the Highway Live
2005
Live Aid: 20 Years Ago Today
0/0
This concert film was created for the London premiére launch of Live Aid on dvd in November 2004. It contains selected highlights of the marathon fund...
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Live Aid: 20 Years Ago Today
2008
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - Live from Gatorville
0/0
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers return to Gainesville, Florida where it all started, to play their first hometown show in 13 years. Tom Petty and the...
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Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - Live from Gatorville
2010
Classic Albums: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - Damn the Torpedoes
6.3/3
The latest addition to Eagle's critically acclaimed and highly successful Classic Albums series is Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers 1979 breakthrough alb...
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Classic Albums: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - Damn the Torpedoes
1989
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers - A Bunch Of Videos And Some Other Stuff
7/1
A compilation of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers' music videos.
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Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers - A Bunch Of Videos And Some Other Stuff
2004
Live Aid
9.2/8
4 × DVD, The broadcast of the biggest benefit concert in history, organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise funds for Ethiopian famine relief. Th...
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Live Aid
1999
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers: Live at the Docks, Hamburg
7/1
On April 23rd, 1999, when Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers were recorded for the show German TV show "Rockpalast", they had already produced 10 studio al...
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Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers: Live at the Docks, Hamburg
Tom Petty - Mojo Tour 2010
0/0
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Tom Petty - Mojo Tour 2010
1977
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers: Live at Rockpalast
0/0
Frontman/guitarist Tom Petty, guitarist Mike Campbell, bassist Ron Blair, keyboardist Benmont Tench and drummer Stan Lynch opened their taping at WDR...
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Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers: Live at Rockpalast
2021
Tom Petty, Somewhere You Feel Free
6.6/8
Drawn from a newly discovered archive of 16mm film showing Tom Petty at work on his 1994 record Wildflowers, considered by many including Rolling Ston...
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Tom Petty, Somewhere You Feel Free
2005
Tom Petty & Heartbreakers - Free Fallin'
0/0
Jammin' Me
Running' Down a Dream
Swingin'
Listen to her Heart
Mary Jane's Last Dance
Hey Mona (featuring Bo Diddley)
Even the Losers
Room at th...
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Tom Petty & Heartbreakers - Free Fallin'
2015
$aving Dat Money
0/0
The video of "$ave Dat Money" became popular on Facebook and Twitter almost immediately after it was released, in which Lil' Dicky tried to get key le...
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$aving Dat Money
1978
FM
6.786/21
When a liberal music station's owners decide to introduce army recruitment ads, despite the protests of its manager, the rebellious DJs are determined...
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FM
2003
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers - Live at the Olympic (The Last DJ)
8/1
Recorded on October 16th, 2002 at the Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, this film features the band's 2002 album The Last DJ performed in its ent...
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Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers - Live at the Olympic (The Last DJ)
1986
Bridge School Benefit Concert 1986
0/0
A benefit concert for Bridge School. Includes performances by Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Crosby, Stills & Nash and many others.
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Bridge School Benefit Concert 1986
2024
Heartbreakers Beach Party
6.2/5
Documentary that captures Tom Petty and the band in 1982-1983 as they finish, promote, and tour around the “Long After Dark” album (their final with l...
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Heartbreakers Beach Party
2006
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers: 30th Anniversary Concert
0/0
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, recorded live at the O’ Connell Center, in Gainesville FL, on September 21st, 2006.
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Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers: 30th Anniversary Concert
2015
It's Only Rock 'n' Roll: Rock 'n' Roll at the BBC
8/1
A celebration of rock 'n' roll in the shape of a compilation of classic artists and songs, featuring the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis, Dion and Dick Dale...
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It's Only Rock 'n' Roll: Rock 'n' Roll at the BBC
1999
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: VH1 Storytellers
0/0
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers performing live in 1999.
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Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: VH1 Storytellers
1995
Brian Wilson: I Just Wasn't Made for These Times
7/4
I Just Wasn't Made for These Times is a documentary about the life of Brian Wilson, the musical mastermind and songwriter for the Beach Boys. The film...
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Brian Wilson: I Just Wasn't Made for These Times
2025
Fame and Fentanyl
0/0
"Fame and Fentanyl,” a new gripping two-hour documentary special, exposes the devastating impact of fentanyl on our society and culture. Hosted by Ice...
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Fame and Fentanyl
2008
The Best Of Sound Stage
0/0
A compilation of outstanding live performances by today's premier artists presented in pristine High Definition. Foreigner: Feels Like The First Time...
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The Best Of Sound Stage
1978
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - The Old Grey Whistle Test
0/0
Bob Harris introduces Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in concert at the BBC Television Centre in London's Shepherd's Bush in 1978.
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