Thomas Earl "Tom" Petty (October 20, 1950 – October 2, 2017) was an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He was best known as the frontman of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and was a founding member of the late 1980s supergroup Traveling Wilburys, performing under the pseudonyms of Charlie T. Wilbury, Jr. and Muddy Wilbury. He also previously was the frontman of the band Mudcrutch.
During his lifetime, Petty recorded a number of hit singles with the Heartbreakers and as a solo artist, many of which remain heavily played on adult contemporary and classic rock radio. His music, notably his hits, have also become popular among younger generations. Throughout his career, Petty and his collaborators have sold 60 million albums. He is an inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, having been inducted as part of the Heartbreakers in 2002.