Tom Petty Was Born On October 20, 1950

Tom Petty was born on October 20th of 1950 in Gainesville, Florida.

Petty released his first album in 1976 with his band. The album was titled the same as his band, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. This debut album included two songs that would become classic rock staples, “Breakdown” & “American Girl.” But the album only reached #55 on the US charts (and #24 in the UK.)

He had his first big commercial success with their 3rd album, 1979’s Damn the Torpedoes. It reached #2 in the US. It included some of his most well known songs like “Refugee,” “Here Comes My Girl,” & “Don’t Do Me Like That.” Rolling Stone magazine ranked it as the 313th best album of all time in their 2003 list of the top 500 albums ever.

In 1989 after seven albums with the Heartbreakers, Petty released his first solo album, Full Moon Fever. It includes probably his best known song ever, “Free Fallin’.” It also includes “I Won’t Back Down,” & “Runnin’ Down a Dream” which are among his best known songs.

Thus far Petty has recorded & released 10 studio albums with the Heartbreakers, and three as a solo artist. He also did two albums with the super group, Traveling Willburys.

“Free Fallin’” Music Video

1950, Tom Petty, October 20

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