Music stars mourn the passing of rock legend Tom Petty, who died age 66

Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr have led tributes to the late Tom Petty.

The 66-year-old musician passed away after having life support turned off following a cardiac arrest, and the two Beatles legends are among the stars to have used social media to pay their respects to the American Girl hitmaker.

Paul tweeted: "Sending love to Tom Petty and his family at this difficult time."

His former bandmate shared a throwback picture of himself interviewing Tom and wrote: "God bless Tom Petty peace and love to his family I'm sure going to miss you Tom (sic)"

John Mayer was left heartbroken by the death of one of his idols.

Alongside a broken heart emoji, he tweeted: "I loved Tom Petty and I covered his songs because I wanted know what it felt like to fly. "you belong somewhere you feel free." (sic)"

Bob Dylan has also paid tribute to his former bandmate Tom Petty, praising him as a "great performer".

The 76-year-old singer and his late friend co-founded supergroup Traveling Wilburys with George Harrison, Jeff Lynne and Roy Orbison, and the Mr. Tambourine Man hitmaker has been "crushed" by his pal's death.

He said in a statement to Rolling Stone magazine: "It's shocking, crushing news. I thought the world of Tom. He was a great performer, full of the light, a friend, and I'll never forget him."

Several other big-name stars from the world of music have paid tribute to Tom - who was also known for his group Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - including fellow music legend Billy Idol, 61.

He wrote on Twitter: "Shocked & upset 2 hear about #tompetty 'we got lucky when we found u....'...RIP (sic)"

Sheryl Crow, Kid Rock, Jon Bon Jovi and Josh Groban struggled with the musician's loss in the wake of the horrific mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas, which saw 58 people killed and hundreds injured.

Sheryl posted: "This is unbearable. Vegas and now a great music hero has passed. You brought us so much joy, @tompetty. We will miss you. #RIPTomPetty (sic)"

Kid Rock added: "Just when I thought today could not get any worse... R.I.P. Tom Petty. Thank you for your beautiful music and inspiration.(sic)"

Jon shared: "I'm crushed... Praying for all those affected by Vegas last night. And now the loss of one of my great influences Tom Petty today. -JBJ (sic)"

And Josh wrote: "What a horrid day for our country, music fans and music itself. RIP Tom Petty. His songs are always good medicine. Love to his family.(sic)"

Meat Loaf, 70, praised the Free Fallin' hitmaker as a "great rocker" but insisted the star's hit music will ensure he "still lives with us".

He wrote on Facebook: "More sad news today with Passing another great Rocker Tom Petty, Great Writer with classic songs that marked a time in many peoples lives, loving fans who he also loved. The world lost a great one today. He still lives with us in his music. As his daughter said earlier today a normal guy who loved what he did. Our prayers go out to Tom and his family.(sic)"

He also wrote: "Gone too soon !! Tom lives on with the memories he left us, and the love he gave. Prayers to Tom and his family (sic)"

KISS frontman Paul Stanley, 65, was also devastated about Tom's death, admitting he has "loved" the late star's music.

He tweeted: "No! We have lost Tom Petty. From our opening act in the seventies to becoming a brilliant songwriter and performer I have loved his music. (sic)"

Steven Van Zandt, 66 - a guitarist in Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band - was left in disbelief by the news that Tom had passed and sent his condolences to the star's family.

He tweeted: "Man this cannot be happening. Not Tom Petty please. Our deepest love and condolences to his family and band. A brother and true believer.(sic)"

Following confusion over Tom's condition, after LAPD initially confirmed he'd passed away but then apologised and retracted their comments, he was said to still be "clinging to life" in the hours after being rushed to the hospital.

However, his agent Tony Dimitriades later revealed he had died when his family agreed to switch off his life support after learning he had no brain activity. 

The longtime manager of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, confirmed the musician had passed away in a statement:

"On behalf of the Tom Petty family, we are devastated to announce the untimely death of our father, husband, brother, leader and friend Tom Petty. He suffered cardiac arrest at his home in Malibu in the early hours of this morning and was taken to UCLA Medical Center but could not be revived. He died peacefully at 8:40 p.m. PT surrounded by family, his bandmates and friends."

According to TMZ, Petty was surrounded by his friends, family and his bandmates at UCLA hospital in Santa Monica, California, when he sadly slipped away.

- Bang! Showbiz