Mudcrutch co-founder Tom Leadon dies, aged 70
nme.comTom Petty’s first band Mudcrutch, has died.His death was announced by his brother, Mark, in a social media post. “It is with great sadness, but profound love and gratitude for his life, that the family of Tom Leadon Nashville, Tennessee, and Gainesville, Florida, announce his passing on March 22, 2023,” it read. “[He died] peacefully of natural causes.”Leadon, 70, was most famed for his work with rock icon Petty, whom he met in Gainsville, Florida when they were both in high school.
It was around 1970 that the two formed their first band, The Epics, with Leadon on lead guitar and Petty on bass.From there the band evolved into Mudcrutch.
Randall Marsh was recruited as the drummer and Mike Campbell also joined as a lead guitarist. The latter would join Petty for his later projects, as a member of The Heartbreakers.Tom Leadon was my deepest guitar soul brother, we spent countless hours playing acoustic guitars and teaching each other…Posted by Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs on Monday, March 27, 2023In a tribute post to Leadon, Campbell described the “generosity” of his former bandmate. “Tom Leadon was my deepest guitar soul brother, we spent countless hours playing acoustic guitars and teaching each other things,” he said.“A kinder soul never walked the earth.
I will always miss his spirit and generosity. Sleep peacefully, my old friend.”Later in the ‘70s Leadon also acted as a temporary bassist for Linda Ronstadt’s band.
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