SiriusXM Remembers the Life and Legacy of Music Icon Tom Petty
He was intensely involved in Tom Petty Radio, using his passion and humor to shape one of SiriusXM’s most unique music channels.
“We are deeply saddened at the passing of Tom Petty,” said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer for SiriusXM. “SiriusXM has had a long and rewarding creative relationship with Tom, working with him on the creation of his own channel starting in 2015 and before that on his beloved radio show, ‘Tom Petty’s Buried Treasure,’ starting in 2005. Tom was intensely involved in curating and presenting Tom Petty Radio, using his passion and humor to shape one of our most unique music channels. He will be greatly missed but will forever live on through his incredible, timeless music.
Hear music, tributes, and commentary on Tom Petty Radio from the singer, songwriter, and music producer who unexpectedly passed away at the age of 66 on October 2, 2017.
Thomas Earle Petty was born on October 20, 1950, and raised in Gainesville, FL.
Inspired by Elvis and The Beatles, Petty dropped out of high school at age 17 to form the band Mudcrutch. After Mudcrutch split, Petty teamed up with guitarist Mike Campbell, bassist Ron Blair, drummer Stan Lynch, and keyboardist Benmont Tench to form Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. The band released their debut self-titled album in 1976.
Their second album, “You’re Gonna Get It,” released in 1978, became the band’s first top 40 album. Their third album, “Damn the Torpedoes,” became a Platinum success with songs like “Don’t Do Me Like That,” “Here Comes My Girl,” and “Refugee.”
In 1988, Petty joined one of rock’s greatest supergroups, The Traveling Wilburys, featuring George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, and Jeff Lynne.
Petty released his first solo album, “Full Moon Fever,” in 1989. The album featured the songs “I Won’t Back Down,” “Free Fallin’,” and “Runnin’ Down a Dream.”
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers reformed in 1991 and released “Into the Great Wide Open,” co-produced by Jeff Lynne. In 2002, the band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Petty began hosting his own show, “Tom Petty’s Buried Treasure,” in 2005 on XM. In 2015, SiriusXM launched the Tom Petty Radio channel.
Petty was inducted into the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame in 2016.
Just a week ago, Petty completed the critically acclaimed Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers 40th Anniversary Tour at the Los Angeles Hollywood Bowl.
