Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were an American rock band formed in 1976 in Gainesville, Florida. The band consisted of Tom Petty (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Mike Campbell (lead guitar), Benmont Tench (keyboards), Stan Lynch (drums), and Ron Blair (bass). They were one of the most successful and influential rock bands of all time, selling over 80 million albums worldwide. Their music was characterized by Petty's distinctive vocals and Campbell's searing guitar work, and they blended elements of heartland rock, southern rock, and classic rock.

The band released their self-titled debut album in 1976, which was produced by Denny Cordell. The album was a critical and commercial success, reaching number 13 on the Billboard 200 chart and spawning the hit singles "Breakdown" and "American Girl." Petty and the Heartbreakers followed up their debut with a string of successful albums in the 1970s and 1980s, including Damn the Torpedoes (1979), Hard Promises (1981), Long After Dark (1982), and Full Moon Fever (1989). These albums produced a number of hit singles, including "Refugee," "Don't Do Me Like That," "The Waiting," "Free Fallin'," and "I Won't Back Down."

In the 1990s, Petty and the Heartbreakers continued to be successful, releasing the albums Into the Great Wide Open (1991) and Echo (1992). They also collaborated with Stevie Nicks on the album Wildflowers (1994), which was a critical and commercial success. In the 2000s, the band released The Last DJ (2002) and Highway Companion (2006), both of which were well-received by critics and fans.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers disbanded in 2017 following Petty's death from accidental drug overdose. However, their music continues to be enjoyed by millions of fans around the world. They are considered one of the greatest American rock bands of all time, and their influence can be heard in the work of many contemporary artists.