Bob Dylan and Cyndi Lauper lead tributes to Tom Petty

Cyndi Lauper, Bob Dylan, Sir Paul McCartney and John Mayer have led tributes to Tom Petty after the legendary singer was taken off life support following his hospitalisation on Sunday night (Oct 1).

The ‘American Girl’ musician was “clinging to life” on Monday night, after he was found unconscious, not breathing and in full cardiac arrest at his Malibu home earlier in the day.

July 1, 2017 Tom Petty of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers performs during their “40th Anniversary Tour” in Philadelphia. (Photo by Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP, File)

He was taken to hospital, but could not be revived and died later that evening. There was some confusion after reports claimed he had passed away before life support was stopped, and before the situation was made clear, many stars and fans paid tribute to the iconic performer, with ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’ hitmaker Cyndi amongst those who spoke out.

She tweeted: “Oh man Tom Petty is gone. He was really great. He will be missed. Thoughts and prayers go to his family right now. RIP.”

Juliette Lewis and John Mayer asked her fans and followers to keep the singer in their prayers and help him recover after his death was reported prematurely.

She wrote: “Hey everyone TOM PETTY IS NOT DEAD!! Let’s all send him healing energy!!! #prayfortompetty”

Following confirmation he had died, Mayer added: “I loved Tom Petty and I covered his songs because I wanted know what it felt like to fly. “you belong somewhere you feel free.”(sic) ”

Beatles legends Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr also paid tribute, with McCartney sending his love to Petty’s family and Ringo Starr sharing a picture of the old friends.

Motley Crue star Nikki Sixx also reached out on social media, as he described the influential songwriter as one of the best of a generation.

He tweeted: “Tom Petty. One of the greatest songwriters of our generation. Thank you for ALL the music.Prayers to your family & band members.#RIPTomPetty”

While Bob Dylan told the Los Angeles Times: “It’s shocking, crushing news. I thought the world of Tom. He was a great performer, full of the light, a friend, and I’ll never forget him.”

Others have remembered his iconic duet with Prince and shared videos of the historic performance.

His family and manager have now confirmed he died in a statement, with his long-time manager Tony Dimitriades saying: “He died peacefully at 20:40 Pacific time (03:40 GMT Tuesday) surrounded by family, his bandmates and friends.”

Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers played at BST Hyde Park in London over the summer and the band wrapped up their tour at the Hollywood Bowl just a week ago.

The ‘Free Fallin’ hitmaker started the foundations of the band aged 17 when he dropped out of school to join Mudcrutch with future Heartbreakers Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench.