What The End Of Tom Petty's Life Was Really Like

May 2024 · 2 minute read

It's arguable that Tom Petty was most prolific in his later years. By 2016, he had been nominated for 18 Grammy awards — and had won three — and was still putting out well-received albums (via Rolling Stone). He had a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame, had rocked the Super Bowl halftime show, and formed his own SiriusXM station, Tom Petty Radio. He was constantly touring, and as he planned to release a career-spanning box set with the Heartbreakers according to American Songwriter, it was clear he had no plans of slowing down.

That notion became especially clear when Tom Petty announced a 40th anniversary tour with the Heartbreakers. According to the SiriusXM blog, it would feature all the old Heartbreakers favorites, span the country, and last several months. But Petty also hinted with prescience that this kind of tour — which would kick off in summer 2017 — might be his last, as he wasn't getting any younger. 

"I'm thinking it may be the last trip around the country," he told Rolling Stone in December 2016. "We're all on the backside of our sixties," he said. "I have a granddaughter now I'd like to see as much as I can." As time would tell, Petty may not have been able to kick the touring urge when he needed to most. 

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7r7XCpKCsr5mbwW%2BvzqZma2tmaoN6e9ahmK1lpJ2ybrHNnWSonl2pvK55z56rrbGjYrmqssRmrpqrXaeyorjLsmSloZuafA%3D%3D