MALIBU—On Monday, October 2, All-American rock-star, Tom Petty, 66, who blew the harmonica, sang with a quieted-tone, and played soft bluesy-rock music on guitar, went into cardiac arrest at his Malibu home.
Once his body was discovered he was pronounced dead by officials from the Los Angeles Police Department after being taken to the UCLA Santa Monica Hospital, but that declaration was later recanted, as noting that Petty was “clinging onto life.”
The LAPD apologized to all news outlets for declaring Tom Petty dead when he was in fact in critical condition. TMZ reported that the LAPD was not responsible for treating Petty, it was the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Throughout the years, the musician is known for several of his greatest hits including “You Don’t Know How It Feels” and “Free Falling.” Petty was actively performing on tour, and landed his last big performance at the Hollywood Bowl on September 25.
Early in his life, Petty left school to pursue music. He formed a few bands after moving to Los Angeles from Gainesville, Florida. It was in Los Angeles where he formed ‘Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, where he gained worldwide success. He earned a total of 18 Grammy nominations, taking home a total of 3 awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.
In 2008, he swept the audience away at the halftime show during Super Bowl XLII in which he performed “American Girl,” “I Won’t Back Down,” “Free Falling,” and “Running Down a Dream.”
Those who were acquainted with him knew that he professed a great belief in “keeping the movement going” and “hating boredom like it’s a sin.” According to reports, he is currently listed in critical condition and physicians have noted that Petty currently has no brain activity.
