Tom Petty was born in Florida, he founded his first band called Mudcrutch with Benmont Tench (keyboards) and Mike Campbell (guitar) in the late 60’s. The group relocated to Los Angeles and signed the music contract with the Shelter label. In 1975 Petty joined the Heartbreakers band, which also consisted Ron Blair (bass), Stan Lynch (drums), Campbell, and Tench.
In 1976 the Heartbreakers’s debut full-length album entitled Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers was released on Shelter Records. The LP failed to charts in the United States, but it became rather popular in Europe (especially in the U.K.). The group’s second album called You're Gonna Get It followed in 1978, soon after its releasing Tom Petty began also his solo career.
Tom Petty issued his debut full-length album, Damn the Torpedoes, in the late 70’s on the Backstreet label. the LP included such chart-topping singles like hit "Don't Do Me Like That" and "Refugee." In 1981 the Heartbreakers released the Hard Promises LP. The record had a great success and went platinum. The ban’d next full-length Long After Dark appeared in 1982.
Tom Petty& the Heartbreakers issued their next album called Southern Accents in 1985. The following year the band went on the tour supporting Bob Dylan. The Let Me Up (I've Had Enough) LP followed in 1987. The next year Petty entered the Traveling Wilburys band. In 1989 the artist issued his next solo album, Full Moon Fever. The Wildflowers LP appeared in 1994.
