On This Day in 2017: Tom Petty Performed With the Heartbreakers for the Last Time

The music industry will likely never see another talent like Tom Petty. The Florida-born artist found immense success both as a solo artist and as the frontman for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Petty died on Oct. 2, 2017, just 18 days before his 67th birthday. A week earlier, on Sept. 25, a Hollywood Bowl crowd unknowingly witnessed the “Refugee” singer’s final performance.

Tom Petty Played His Final Show Seven Years Ago Today

On Sept. 25, 2017, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers wrapped up the final show of their 40th anniversary world tour at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California. “I wanna thank you for 40 years of a really great time,” Petty told the audience.

One week later, the legendary lyricist was gone. Petty suffered cardiac arrest at his Malibu home on the morning of Oct. 1, 2017. He died the next evening at the UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center, at age 66.

[RELATED: The Final Album Tom Petty Recorded and Produced That Nearly Led to a Reunion of The Byrds]

Petty’s death from an accidental overdose sent shockwaves throughout the music world. The three-time GRAMMY winner’s legacy spanned multiple generations, connecting dads and daughters with the power of his pen.

However, perhaps none were more shocked than the legions of fans who witnessed Petty’s electrifying final performance of “American Girl” that September night in Los Angeles. Video footage shows Petty thanking the audience before declaring, “We’re almost out of time. We got time for this one here.”

He then launches into the timeless opening guitar riff of the 1977 single from the Heartbreakers’ self-titled debut album. Shockingly, “American Girl” didn’t find chart success. However, critics still widely regard it as Petty’s best song—and that’s saying something.

Stevie Nicks Recalls The Life-Changing Advice She Got From Her Friend

Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty had a deep friendship dating back to 1981. And the Fleetwood Mac frontwoman still cherishes the tender yet stern advice she received from Petty in 1994.

Simultaneously grappling with substance use and the breakup of Fleetwood Mac, Nicks asked the “Won’t Back Down” singer if he would help her write a song. Petty refused, saying, “You are one of the premier songwriters of all time. You don’t need me to write a song for you.’”

He continued, “‘Just go to your piano and write a good song. You can do that.’”

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