Tom Leadon, Nashville guitarist and Tom Petty bandmate, dies at 70

Tom Leadon, a Nashville-area guitarist who shared stages with Tom Petty and Linda Ronstadt, died earlier this month at age 70.

Leadon died of natural causes, according to a statement from his family.

"It is with great sadness, but profound love and gratitude for his life, that the family of Tom Leadon of Nashville, Tennessee, and Gainesville, Florida, announce his passing on March 22, 2023," his relatives said this week in a media statement.

As a teenager in Gainesville, Leadon befriended a young Petty. The two began playing music in Leadon's local band The Epics before co-founding formative Florida rock group Mudcrutch. The band carved a name for itself by playing sought-after college gigs, late-night bar cover sets and hosting marathon festivals on the local "Mudcrutch Farm."

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In a post to Instagram, former Mudcrutch bandmate Mike Campbell — who later played in Petty's band the Heartbreakers — described Leadon as "my deepest guitar soul brother."

“We spent countless hours playing acoustic guitars and teaching each other things," Campbell said. "A kinder soul never walked the earth. I will always miss his spirit and generosity. Sleep peacefully my old friend.”

After leaving Mudcrutch in 1972, Leadon followed his brother and Eagles co-founding guitarist Bearnie Leadon to Southern California. While on the west coast, Leadon played bass in Ronstadt's band and joined Silver, a short-lived 1970s country-rock group known for radio hit "Wham Bam." He co-wrote "Hollywood Waltz," a cut on Eagles 1975 album "One Of These Nights."

Leadon eventually retreated to Middle Tennessee, where he spent 28 years teaching guitar at Jan Williams School of Music before retiring in 2020, according to his website. In his free time, Leadon gigged in local band the Bayjacks.

Leadon reunited with Petty, Campbell and company in 2008 for a Mudcrutch tour and self-titled album. The band reprised its reunion in 2016 for a follow-up release and run of shows.

Leadon lived in Thompson's Station at the time of his death, according his family. Funeral services are to-be-announced.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tom Leadon, Nashville guitarist who played with Tom Petty, dies at 70