Tom Petty Stolen Guitars: $7,500 Reward Offered
Five guitars belonging to rocker Tom Petty have been reported stolen in Southern California. Petty is now offering a $7,500 reward for their return.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are currently preparing to go on tour and play in Colorado but had been rehearsing in California. It is still unknown how the guitars were taken, according to the Heartbreakers' website. Police are investigating, but the band is hopeful they will all be returned.
They are offering a $7,500 reward with "no questions asked to anyone with information leading to the recovery of the guitars," says the website. People are encouraged to call the Culver City Police Department with any and all information.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers formed in 1976 and have since played their way into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They have had such hits as "Free Fallin'" and "I Won't Back Down." Tom Petty, of course, is the lead performer in the group, with Mike Campbell on lead guitar, Ron Blair on bass, and Benmont Tench providing piano and organ. Those three are original to the group.
In 1991, Scott Thurston was brought on board to play rhythm guitar, and in 1994 Steve Ferrone was hired to play drums. They replaced former members Stan Lynch and Howie Epstein.
According to reports, the five guitars include Petty's blond 1967, 12-string Rickenbacker 360, a 1965 Gibson SGTV Junior; Mike Campbell's sparkly-blue Micke Campbell Model Dusenberg; Ron Blair's Fender Broadcaster and Scott Thurston's 1967 Epiphone Sheridan.
Fans have taken to Twitter to ask for the guitars to be returned.
"Seriously. Who would steal guitars from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers?" asked Kim Richey.
"Don't do him like that," added Andrew Ungvari, playing off of one of the band's greatest hits.
"Please help find Tom Petty's stolen guitars!" pleaded Twitter user Traditional American.
