Thomas Earl Petty was an American musician, singer, songwriter, multi instrumentalist and record producer. He is best known as the lead singer of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, but is also known as a member and co-founder of the late 1980s supergroupthe Traveling Wilburys (under the pseudonyms of Charlie T. Wilbury Jr. and Muddy Wilbury), and his early band Mudcrutch.

Petty has recorded a number of hit singles with the Heartbreakers and as a solo artist, many of which are mainstays on adult contemporaryand classic rock radio. His music has been classified as rock and roll, heartland rock, and even stoner rock. His music has become popular among younger generations. In his career, Petty has sold more than 80 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

In 2002, Petty was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.