July 27, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Obituary: Tom Petty (1950-2017)

By Whitney Scott Bain

 

Tom Petty, a gifted, multi-talented musician, songwriter, singer, record producer and actor whose music was an American staple of rock and roll, passed away October 2 in Santa Monica due to cardiac arrest. Since then a pilgrimage of fans have visited UCLA Medical Center on Wilshire, where Mr. Petty died, to pay their respects.

Born Thomas Earl Petty on October 20, 1950, in Gainesville, Florida his interest in music began at age 11 when his uncle invited him to the set of Follow That Dream and Mr. Petty met Elvis Presley. So impressed by Mr. Presley, when he arrived home he traded his treasured Wham-O slingshot to a friend for a collection of Elvis .45s.

After seeing the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show, Mr. Petty knew that he wanted to be part of a band. A top marks student in high school, he was to attend the Air Force Academy, but dropped out at age 17 to start his own band, Mudcrutch.

Mr. Petty studied guitar with Don Felder, who would later join the band, the Eagles and worked a series of jobs as the groundskeeper at the University of Florida and briefly as a gravedigger.

After Mudcrutch broke up, Mr. Petty formed another band and their first hit was “Breakdown” in 1977 which was the beginning of the successful, “Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.”

Mr. Petty’s music videos were memorable such as “American Girl,” “Freefallin’,” “Last Dance With Mary Jane (where we see Mr. Petty as a mortician working on a deceased Kim Bassinger.) and the impressive, animated, “Running Down A Dream.”

In 1988, Mr. Petty joined George Harrison’s band, the Traveling Wilburys that included Bon Dylan, Roy Orbison and Jeff Lynn.

Mr. Petty’s acting career included a brief part in FM, Made In Heaven, a comedic part on the Gary Shandling Show, the Postman; where he played a future version of himself and was featured on the Simpsons teaching Homer how to write songs.

Mr. Petty was surrounded by his family, friends and band mates when he passed away. His impressive, creative work resounded in all of us. He was the everyman of rock and roll who will be sadly missed that loved what he did.

Photos: Morgan Genser.
People walking by the memorial, Oct. 7 outside UCLA Medical Center on Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, for Tom Petty who passed away there Oct. 2
Related Posts

LAPD to Conduct DUI Checkpoints Across City This Weekend

July 26, 2025

July 26, 2025

LAPD officials said checkpoint locations are chosen based on areas with high numbers of DUI-related crashes and arrests The Los...

Metro D Line Resumes Today After 70-Day Closure

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The shutdown, which began May 17, enabled Metro to connect the current line to newly built tunnels extending west under...

TODAY: Venice Artbeat Celebrates Community and Supports Local Causes

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The event offers live music, dance performances, live art, food, and storytelling Venice Artbeat, a community-focused festival, takes place on...

Sunset Jazz & Pizza Series Returns to The Lobster

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The series blends jazz from a three-piece house band with handcrafted pizzas and $5 Open Brewing beers  The Lobster’s popular...

Los Angeles Marks Milestone in Youth Sports Enrollment

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

A program has surpassed one million enrollments, providing low-cost and, in some cases, free access to youth and adaptive sports ...

LAHSA Appoints New Interim CEO Amid System Transitions

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The agency is navigating uncertainty following the county’s decision to create a separate homelessness department and shifting federal policy priorities...

Venice Chamber Installs New Board at Community Event

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Representatives from multiple levels of government were in attendance The Venice Chamber of Commerce welcomed its newly elected 2025–26 Board...

Measles Case Confirmed in LA, Officials Urge Vaccination

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Investigators are working to identify potential exposures and assess the risk to others Health officials have confirmed a case of...

In Your Time of Need, Woodlawn Cemetery is Available

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

By Susan Payne  For over 125 years, Woodlawn Cemetery, Mausoleum & Mortuary, wholly owned and operated by the city of...

Going for the throat

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Coach Bill Schuman expects protégé Golda Zahra to hold back nothing  By Linda Chase World famous competitors hire special coaches...

Suspect Arrested in Fatal Brentwood Whole Foods Stabbing, Area to See Increased Police Presence

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The suspect, initially described as a man in his early 20s wearing dark clothing, fled the scene on foot.  A...

(Video) Seniors Age with Dignity at Wise & Healthy Aging’s Adult Day Center

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

For More Information, Go To Wiseandhealthyaging.org/ Seniors Age with Dignity at Wise & Healthy Aging’s Adult Day Center. For More...

California Reports 13% Drop in Vehicle Thefts in 2024, First Decline Since 2019

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Southern California accounted for 53.21% of thefts, with Los Angeles County alone representing 61.83% of the region’s total California reported...

LAPD Pacific Boosters’ West LA Summer Carnival Takes Place This Weekend

July 24, 2025

July 24, 2025

The carnival will feature amusement rides for all ages, arcade-style games, and traditional fair food The LAPD Pacific Area Boosters...

Venice Ale House is Now the European-Inspired ‘Venice Beach Club’

July 24, 2025

July 24, 2025

The menu features items like steak frites, crudo, and house-made pizzas, under the direction of Executive Chef James Samuel A...