Confusion follows reports of Tom Petty death after heart attack
The rock star has been hospitalized at the age of 66 and the LAPD has now apologized for ‘inadvertently’ providing information about his death
US singer Tom Petty is seriously ill in hospital after a suspected heart attack, according to reports.
The singer-songwriter was reportedly rushed to the UCLA Santa Monica hospital on Monday after being found unconscious in his Malibu home. Initial reports, based on an LAPD source who spoke to CBS News and Variety, said Petty had died.
However, LAPD later tweeted that the department has “no information about the passing of singer Tom Petty” and any information had been “inadvertently provided”. The force apologized “for any inconvenience in this reporting”.
The musician gained fame as part of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in the late 1970s, a band that was seen as integral to the heartland rock movement. Their biggest hits included I Won’t Back Down and American Girl.
Petty was originally part of country rock band Mudcrutch who gained regional popularity but didn’t attract a mainstream audience. They later reformed in 2007 but originally split after Petty and other members joined the Heartbreakers. In 1977 the band gained success with the song Breakdown but it was their second album You’re Gonna Get It! that became a top 40 hit.
Throughout the 80s, the band enjoyed major hits including You Got Lucky and Change of Heart and collaborated with Bob Dylan as well as Stevie Nicks. Petty continued to work with Dylan as part of the band Traveling Wilburys alongside Roy Orbison, George Harrison and Jeff Lynne.
“It’s shocking, crushing news,” Bob Dylan told Rolling Stone in an earlier statement. “I thought the world of Tom. He was great performer, full of the light, a friend, and I’ll never forget him.”
Petty also enjoyed solo success but always returned back to the Heartbreakers, releasing their final album in 2014. “I don’t see that I have anything to offer as a solo artist that I couldn’t do within the group better,” he told the Sun. “We get along so well it’s embarrassing really. It’s a love fest!”
The band had been on a 40th anniversary tour since April that finished last week at the Hollywood Bowl. In an interview with Rolling Stone last December, he suggested it would probably be his last.
“We’re all on the backside of our 60s,” he said. “I have a granddaughter now I’d like to see as much as I can. I don’t want to spend my life on the road. This tour will take me away for four months. With a little kid, that’s a lot of time.”
Petty has also been outspoken in his protection of the rights of artists, taking issue with record companies on a number of occasions over what he believed to be unjust practices. Earlier this year he was named MusiCares person of the year for his “career-long interest in defending artists’ rights” as well as for his charitable work with the homeless population of Los Angeles.
Throughout his career, he sold more than 80m records worldwide. Tributes have been arriving on Twitter from entertainment industry figures, including Cameron Crowe, Stephen King, Ryan Adams, Ezra Koenig and Chuck D.
Nitram, slightly high on cough syrup: Do you know you're beautiful?
Me: Nope, that's why I have you around to tell me.
Nitram: You -are- beautiful. Anyone tries to tell you otherwise kill them.
"A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP" -- Leonard Nimoy, last Tweet
I was listening to the radio at work and the latest (as of 5ish PM Pacific) was that he was off life support but still not looking to be in great shape. It's possible that if he does pull out of his coma there might not be much left of him.
Jub wrote: ↑2017-10-02 10:54pm
I was listening to the radio at work and the latest (as of 5ish PM Pacific) was that he was off life support but still not looking to be in great shape. It's possible that if he does pull out of his coma there might not be much left of him.
Maybe the Red Hot Chili Peppers can steal the rest of his hits.
Sucks that he’s not even twice my age, but I hope his family fulfills his wishes. He made some damned fine music and I may have to pay a visit to the recreational pot dispensary when he passes.
We pissing our pants yet?
-Negan
You got your shittin' pants on? Because you’re about to Shit. Your. Pants!
-Negan
He who can, does; he who cannot, teaches.
-George Bernard Shaw
The latest reports are that he's no left us for good. Things are never good when you hear total cardiac arrest, coma, and taken off life support and it looks like either they respected his wishes and withdrew whatever non-life support care they were offering or, more likely, that without life support nature simply did what she does to bodies that have massive heart attacks.
It's now official, Family has confirmed his death.
Nitram, slightly high on cough syrup: Do you know you're beautiful?
Me: Nope, that's why I have you around to tell me.
Nitram: You -are- beautiful. Anyone tries to tell you otherwise kill them.
"A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP" -- Leonard Nimoy, last Tweet
But at least it seems he went relatively quickly rather than lingering for months or years. He had a good run, a great career, and will be remembered.
A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory.Leonard Nimoy.
Now I did a job. I got nothing but trouble since I did it, not to mention more than a few unkind words as regard to my character so let me make this abundantly clear. I do the job. And then I get paid.- Malcolm Reynolds, Captain of Serenity, which sums up my feelings regarding the lawsuit discussed here.
If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich. - John F. Kennedy
Always loved a good number of his songs. Some of my favorites are Learning to Fly and Won't Back Down.
Warwolf Urban Combat Specialist
Why is it so goddamned hard to get little assholes like you to admit it when you fuck up? Is it pride? What gives you the right to have any pride?
–Darth Wong to vivftp
GOP message? Why don't they just come out of the closet: FASCISTS R' US –Patrick Degan
The GOP has a problem with anyone coming out of the closet. –18-till-I-die
