http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/tom-petty-rock-iconoclast-who-led-the-heartbreakers-dead-at-66-w506651

Oh man, that one hits me hard. 

Wow... sad news indeed and tragic at such a young age. I just turned 65 and must admit that hearing about so many musician's near my age dying way too young hits home in a big way.

It has been a terrible 24 hours.

When I first heard about his heart attack, Wikipedia said "Thomas Earl Petty (October 20, 1950 – October 2, 2017) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, multi instrumentalist and record producer." I checked a little while later and saw it said "was" and I was heartbroken.

The first time I saw him, was a poster in the window of Sam Goody record store 1978 (Album You're Gonna Get It!)!

Now Tom really is learning to fly!!!

  -  Very nice live video from three years ago.

I just read that he has not, in fact, passed yet - but is not expected to make tomorrow.
Bummer.

Peter (Who found "Refugee" a fine antidote for synth-pop drival: B3s & jangly guitars forever!)

Sad news - Tom's music plays in our house every week. 

Graeme

Confirmed by his manager - he passed at 20:40 PDT.

Peter

In addition to the rest of us, Stevie Nicks is going to take this news pretty hard... they were very close. Someone posted on another forum- "...you know you're a bad-ass when Stevie is your backup singer."