Musicians, Celebrities React To Tom Petty's Death At 66

Tom Petty, the frontman of The Heartbreakers, died Monday at the age of 66 after he was found unconscious at his home in California. Following the news of death, many artists took to various social media platforms to offer their prayers and condolences.

Petty was rushed to the hospital after he suffered a massive cardiac arrest Sunday. He was taken off the life support after he was found to be brain dead Monday. Although the Los Angeles Police Department issued a statement confirming his death on Monday afternoon, they ended up retracting the same.

The news of his death was confirmed only when his family tweeted out a statement on his official social media page. "On behalf of the Tom Petty family, we are devastated to announce the untimely death of our father, husband, brother, leader, and friend Tom Petty," the statement read.

Even before the police confirmed Petty's death, messages of love and condolences started to pour in from music artists and other celebrities for the rock n’ roll icon.

“It’s shocking, crushing news,” Bob Dylan shared a statement with Rolling Stone said, Pitchfork reported. “I thought the world of Tom. He was a great performer, full of the light, a friend, and I’ll never forget him.”

“Damn we love you, Tom Petty. Incredible songwriter. ‘Free Fallin’ is truly one of the greatest pieces of American art. So perfect & sad,” Ezra Koenig wrote on Twitter, following it up with an another post which included screenshots of Petty singing in one of his music videos.

“This is unbearable. Vegas and now a great music hero has passed. You brought us so much joy, @tompetty. We will miss you. #RIPTomPetty,” Sheryl Crow tweeted, while Paul McCartney wrote, “Sending love to Tom Petty and his family at this difficult time.”

The following are some of the other celebrities who took to social media to offer their thoughts and prayers on the occasion:

According to Slate, Petty was last seen on stage at the Hollywood Bowl on Sept. 25, as he wrapped up a 40th-anniversary tour with the Heartbreakers. Although the band has announced that it was going to be their last major tour, there were rumors that Petty had already begun discussing a subsequent tour centered around his 1994 album “Wildflowers.”

Petty was known for his simple, yet riveting music, which lends a classic element to all his music. Regarding his last album, “Hypnotic Eye,” critic Steven Hyden wrote:

“Tom Petty’s music doesn’t necessarily demand a value judgment. It’s like having an opinion on tap water or concrete. Why bother? It’s just there, reliable to the point of invisibility. If it went missing, you would notice. But it’s never going missing, because Tom Petty has existed since the beginning of time, and will continue to exist until time is extinguished.”

Petty is survived by his wife, Dana York and his two kids, Adria Petty, 42, and Kimberly Violette Petty, 35.