Tom Petty

Tom Petty is a Rock musician and songwriter who has had numerous hits throughout his career. Petty is often supported by his backup band The Heartbreakers, with whom he has recorded a number of albums.

Raised in Gainesville, Florida and influenced by the Rock & Roll music of Elvis Presley and The Beatles, Petty formed a band in 1976 and released his self-titled debut album. After a well-received follow-up, the band released their third album, Damn the Torpedoes, in 1979. That album went on to sell over 2 million copies and produced the hit singles "Refugee" and "Don't Do Me Like That".

While still performing with The Heartbreakers, Petty also participated as one of the founding members of the Traveling Wilburys - a "Supergroup" that consisted of Petty, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, George Harrison and Jeff Lynne. The group recorded two albums and had a hit with the song "Handle With Care".

Petty released his first solo album, Full Moon Fever, in 1989. The album was an instant success, spawning such hits as "Free Fallin" and "Running Down a Dream". Since then, Petty has released a number of solo albums (and a few with The Heartbreakers). In 2002, Petty and The Heartbreakers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.