American rock band formed in Gainesville, Florida in 1976 by Tom Petty (vocals/guitar, died 2017). Long-running lineup also included Mike Campbell (lead guitar), Benmont Tench (keyboards), Stan Lynch (drums, 1976-1994), Howie Epstein (bass, 1982-2002, died 2003), and Ron Blair (bass, 1976-1982, 2002-2017). One of the most commercially consistent American rock acts of the 1976-2017 period.
Thirteen studio albums plus three Petty solo records. Commercial peak: Damn the Torpedoes (1979), Hard Promises (1981), Full Moon Fever (1989, a solo album), Into the Great Wide Open (1991), and Wildflowers (1994). Petty also co-founded the Traveling Wilburys (1988-1991). Petty died of an accidental overdose in October 2017. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.
