Style & Beautytom pettyTom Petty and The Heartbreakers

Remembering Tom Petty Through The Years In Photos

Heartbreaking.
By 

Senior Reporter, HuffPost

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Tom Petty, lead singer of “Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers,” died on Monday, according to a statement from Petty’s longtime manager.

Tributes poured in for the rock ’n roll icon as bandmates, musicians and celebrities memorialized the “American Girl” singer. Petty began his career with The Heartbreakers in 1976 and earned success with hits like “Free Fallin,” “I Won’t Back Down” and “You Don’t Know How It Feels.”

Along with his hit songs, Petty was instantly recognizable with his long, blond hair, funky shirts and blazers, neck scarves and rotating pairs of sunglasses.

Remember his life, music and rock n’ roll style in the photos below:

1976
Richard E. Aaron via Getty Images
Posing in New York in 1976.
1976
Ed Caraeff/Morgan Media via Getty Images
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers pose for a portrait on July 15, 1976 in Los Angeles, CA.
1977
Michael Putland via Getty Images
A portrait in New York, 1977.
1977
Allan Tannenbaum via Getty Images
In his hotel room in New York City, New York, Oct. 7, 1977.
1978
Richard McCaffrey via Getty Images
Performing live at The Winterland Ballroom in 1978 in San Francisco, CA.
1978
Kirk West via Getty Images
Performing at the Riviera Theatre in Chicago Sept. 28, 1978.
1979
NBC via Getty Images
Performing with The Heartbreakers on "Saturday Night Live" on Nov. 10, 1979.
1980
George Rose via Getty Images
Chatting with Los Angeles Times pop critic, Robert Hilburn, backstage at a 1980 Santa Cruz, CA.
1980
George Rose via Getty Images
Prancing onstage during a Santa Cruz, CA, concert at the Civic Auditorium in 1980.
1981
George Rose via Getty Images
Relaxing on his tour bus between 1981 concert performances in Chicago, IL.
1981
George Rose via Getty Images
Posing backstage for pictures following a 1981 concert in Chicago, IL. Petty and his band, The Heartbreakers, were in the middle of a 28-city tour of the U.S.
1982
David Corio via Getty Images
Performing at Wembley Arena in London on Dec. 7, 1982.
1983
Denver Post via Getty Images
With The Heartbreakers on June 9, 1983.
1984
Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
Jerry Lee Lewis greets guests, including Tom Petty, in his trailer on Jan. 17, 1984 after his concert at the Palomino in Los Angeles, CA.
1985
Ron Galella, Ltd. via Getty Images
Performing at the Live Aid Concert on July 13, 1985 at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, PA.
1986
Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
Bob Dylan and Tom Petty pose for a portrait at Westwood One studios where they are promoting their "True Confessions" tour.
1986
Paul Natkin via Getty Images
Bob Dylan and Tom Petty in concert on July 22, 1986 in Chicago, IL.
1987
Gie Knaeps via Getty Images
Performing with The Heartbreakers in Brussels, Belgium on Oct. 8, 1987.
1987
ABC Photo Archives via Getty Images
With Dolly Parton on "Dolly" in 1987.
1989
Ron Galella, Ltd. via Getty Images
With wife Jane Petty at the "Performance of Ringo and the All-Stars" on Sept. 4, 1989 in Los Angeles, CA.
1989
NBC via Getty Images
With The Heartbreakers on "Saturday Night Live" on May 20, 1989.
1990
Clayton Call via Getty Images
Performing at the Oakland Coliseum on March 6, 1990.
1990
NBC via Getty Images
Performing on Feb. 1, 1990 on "Late Night With David Letterman."
1991
Jim Steinfeldt via Getty Images
Performing on The Great Wide Open Tour in Bloomington, MN on Sept. 4, 1991.
1991
Ron Galella, Ltd. via Getty Images
With wife Jane Petty at the ASCAP Music Awards on May 15, 1991 in Beverly Hills, CA.
1992
Gie Knaeps via Getty Images
Performing with The Heartbreakers in Brussels, Belgium in April 1992.
1993
Ron Galella, Ltd. via Getty Images
Attending the re-naming party for Def American-American Records on Aug. 27, 1993 in Los Angeles, CA.
1994
DMI via Getty Images
Holding an MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video (for the song "Mary Jane's Last Dance") on Sept. 8, 1994.
1994
Jeff Kravitz via Getty Images
At the MTV Video Music Awards in New York City, NY in 1994.
1995
Ron Galella, Ltd. via Getty Images
At the 12th Annual MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 7, 1995 in New York City, NY.
1995
Jim Steinfeldt via Getty Images
With The Heartbreakers in Minneapolis, MN on Sept. 10, 1995.
1996
NBC via Getty Images
During an interview on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on Aug. 5, 1996.
1997
Ron Galella, Ltd. via Getty Images
Attending the world premiere of "The Postman" on Dec. 12, 1997 in Burbank, CA.
1998
Tim Mosenfelder via Getty Images
Accepting an award at the Bammies on March 7, 1998 in San Francisco, CA.
1999
Ron Galella, Ltd. via Getty Images
Receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on April 28, 1999 in Hollywood, CA.
1999
Tim Mosenfelder via Getty Images
Performing at Shoreline Amphitheatre on Aug. 27, 1999 in Mountain View, CA.
2000
Vivian Ronay via Getty Images
At a dinner honoring the spirit of Special Olympics Dec. 14, 2000 at the White House.
2001
Kevin Winter via Getty Images
With Marilyn Manson at the premiere of "Blow" in Los Angeles, CA.
2002
SGranitz via Getty Images
Touring with The Heartbreakers in Los Angeles, CA in 2002.
2003
Carlo Allegri via Getty Images
With Stevie Nicks at the 2003 Radio Music Awards on Oct. 27, 2003 in Las Vegas, NV.
2004
Jim Spellman via Getty Images
With wife Dana York during the 19th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on March 15, 2004.
2005
Ray Mickshaw via Getty Images
With Mike Judge and Brittany Murphy on the 200th episode of "King of the Hill" in Century City, CA on April 8, 2005.
2005
John Shearer via Getty Images
At the 2005 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas, NV.
2006
Larry Hulst via Getty Images
With The Heartbreakers' at the Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, NV on Oct. 28, 2006.
2007
Stephen Lovekin via Getty Images
At the Museum Gala at the American Museum of Natural History Nov. 15, 2007 in New York City, NY.
2008
Tim Mosenfelder via Getty Images
With Tom Leadon of Mudcrutch perform in support of the bands self- titled release on May 1, 2008 in West Hollywood, CA.
2008
Streeter Lecka via Getty Images
Performing at the halftime show during Super Bowl XLII on Feb. 3, 2008 in Glendale, AZ.
2009
Vince Bucci via Getty Images
With Sir Paul McCartney, Olivia Harrison, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Jim Keltner, Joe Walsh and Dhani Harrison at the ceremony honoring George Harrison with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on April 14, 2009 in Hollywood, CA.
2010
Philip Ramey Photography, LLC via Getty Images
At the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Philadelphia 76ers NBA game on Dec. 31, 2010.
2011
Jeff Kravitz via Getty Images
Performing at California State University Northridge on Oct. 29, 2011 in Northridge, CA.
2012
Mark Sullivan via Getty Images
At The Grammy Museum on Sept. 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, CA.
2013
Theo Wargo via Getty Images
Performing at the Firefly Music Festival on June 22, 2013 in Dover, DE.
2014
Tim Mosenfelder via Getty Images
Performing with The Heartbreakers in support of the band's "Hypnotic Eye" release on Sept. 30, 2014 in Morrison, CO.
2015
Andrew D. Bernstein via Getty Images
Attending the Houston Rockets game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Jan. 25, 2015 in Los Angeles, CA.
2015
David Livingston via Getty Images
With Jeff Lynne and Joe Walsh as Lynne is honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on April 23, 2015 in Hollywood, CA.
2016
C Flanigan via Getty Images
Performing with Mudcrutch on June 22, 2016 in Oakland, CA.
2016
Alberto E. Rodriguez via Getty Images
Performing onstage during the 5th Annual Sean Penn & Friends Help Haiti Home gala on Jan. 9, 2016 in Beverly Hills, CA.
2017
Gary Miller via Getty Images
Performing in concert on the third day of KAABOO Del Mar on Sept. 17, 2017 in Del Mar, CA.
2017
ROBYN BECK via Getty Images
During the 2017 MusiCares Person of the Year, honoring Tom Petty, in Los Angeles, CA on Feb. 10, 2017.
2017
Dave J Hogan via Getty Images
Performing with The Heartbreakers at the Barclaycard Presents British Summer Time Festival on July 9, 2017 in London, England.
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