Tom Petty’s former bandmate and Eagles star Bernie Leadon’s brother Tom Leadon has died at the age of 70.
The guitarist died on March, 22 ‘peacefully from natural causes’ according to a post from his brother, Mark Leadon, posted on Tom Petty’s official fan page.
Leadon met Petty when they were both high school students in Gainesville, Florida and went on to form the band Mudcrutch in 1970.
After signing to Shelter Records, they released one single before breaking up in 1975, with Petty going on to create the Heartbreakers.
Leadon later played bass in Linda Ronstadt’s band and had a top 40 hit while in the country-rock band Silver with the song, Wham-Bam.
He also performed with musicians including Johnny Rivers, the Eagles, the Beach Boys, Martha Reeves, James Jamerson and Big Mama Thornton.
Petty reformed Mudcrutch in 2008, and again in 2016, releasing two major label albums with Leadon, as well as Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench, and Randall Marsh.
Both albums reached the Billboard Top 10 and were followed by a short tour, while Leadon had also continued to write new songs and to perform with his band The Bayjacks
As well as performing in bands, Leadon worked as a guitar teacher in Tennessee and earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Florida.
Mike Campbell, his fellow Mudcrutch bandmate, paid tribute on Twitter and wrote: ‘Tom Leadon was my deepest guitar soul brother, we spent countless hours playing acoustic guitars and teaching each other things.
‘A kinder soul never walked the earth. I will always miss his spirit and generosity. Sleep peacefully my old friend.’
In the tribute posted by his brother on Petty’s Official fan page, Mark Leadon said: ‘Tom had a friendly and outgoing personality and sharp wit. He was a great and very funny storyteller. Tom loved his family and close friends, and all of the Mudcrutch, Tom Petty, and Bayjacks fans.
‘He enjoyed meeting and talking with all of you. Thank you for helping make his last years great ones. He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.’
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