Rock music superstar Tom Petty died Monday night at age 66.

Petty’s music career spanned more than 40 years. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. 

Many members of the News 12 New Jersey on-air staff were big Tom Petty fans and were personally impacted by his death.

“The first rock concert I ever went to was Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers,” says reporter John Bathke. “I was very young, a kid, and I remember thinking at the time I must have been the youngest person in the whole stadium…’Refugee’ is my favorite song by Tom Petty.  To this day it makes me want to kick the door down. Tonight, in honor of him and his music and artistry and his badassness, I just might do it.  You made a difference, Mr. Petty, and the world will never forget you.”

Anchor Eric Landskroner says that the songs “Refugee” and “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” were among the first songs he learned to play on the guitar.

“The riffs, the chords, his music always spoke to me,” he says.

“Refugee” is also a favorite song of anchor Della Crews.

Meteorologist Dave Curren says that his favorite Tom Petty songs are “American Girl,” “Running Down a Dream,” and Petty’s new song, “Saving Grace.”

Officials say that Petty died after he suffered cardiac arrest in Los Angeles.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers had recently completed a 40th anniversary tour. His record sales have topped 80 million.