Rocker Tom Petty passes away

Rocker Tom Petty died Monday after being rushed to a Los Angeles hospital, according to Tony Dimitriades, longtime manager of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers.

Dimitriades confirmed Petty's death on behalf of the performer's family.

Tom Petty was 66, the singer was found unconscious in his Malibu home last night.

Petty was transported to UCLA Santa Monica Hospital where he was reportedly placed on life support.

With his nasally voice and chiming guitar, Petty and his longtime band, the Heartbreakers, churned out an instantly recognizable brand of sturdy, heartland rock that made them a classic‑radio staple for decades.

Petty, along with the band, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002, the group finished a summer tour with three performances at the Hollywood Bowl last week.

Petty and the Heartbreakers first came to fame in the 1970s. It was both with that group and as a solo artist that Petty had a string of hits across the decades, including "Free Fallin'," "American Girl" and "I Won't Back Down."

That 1980 album won critical raves, went platinum and spawned the hits "Don't Do Me Like That" and "Refugee."

Source: CNN