Tom Petty was born on October 20, 1950, in Gainesville, Florida, and went on to become one of rock’s most enduring songwriters. Rising to fame in the late ’70s with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, he blended classic rock, folk and a rebellious streak into songs that felt both personal and universal. From American Girl to Free Fallin’, his honest lyrics and jangly sound captured everyday life, freedom and resilience, securing his place as a true American rock icon.