Music legend Tom Petty is seriously ill in hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest, according to reports.
The star was “clinging to life” today, said TMZ. CBS had earlier reported that police had confirmed his death, but later claimed details had been given out “inadvertently”.
Mr Petty, lead singer of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, was resuscitated after he was found in full cardiac arrest and unconscious in his Malibu home on Saturday night. He was rushed to hospital in Santa Monica.
He has just finished a 53-date 40th anniversary tour with his band, with the final performance at the Hollywood Bowl on September 22.
He topped the charts with a string of hits including Breakdown, American Girl and The Waiting. As well as winning popularity with his band, he also had solo success and was part of the 1980s super group the Travelling Wilburys alongside Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne and Roy Orbison.
Mr Petty’s most recent album, 2014’s Hypnotic Eye, was the first Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers to top the charts in the U.S.
Legendary musician Tom Petty seriously ill in hospital
