Tom Petty Song Sales Spike More Than 6,000 Percent in Wake of Rocker's Death

Tom Petty's death on Oct. 2 saw sales of his songs spike 6,216%, according to data analysis company BuzzAngle Music. On average, the four days prior saw Petty's catalog move 950 tracks. In the 24 hours after news emerged that the singer had suffered a cardiac arrest, song sales totaled 60,000.

The top song downloaded by fans was 1989's "Free Fallin'," followed by "I Won't Back Down," also released that year, and "Mary Jane's Last Dance" (1993). Other songs to see increased consumption included "You Don't Know How It Feels," "Learning To Fly," and Heartbreakers classics "American Girl" and "Refugee."

In addition, Pandora station adds of Tom Petty saw a an increase of 8962% from Oct. 1 to Oct. 2.

Confirmation of Petty's death on the evening of Oct. 2 spurred an outpouring of admiration for the singer and songwriter from the music community. "It's shocking, crushing news," Bob Dylan said in a statement. "I thought the world of Tom. He was a great performer, full of the light, a friend, and I'll never forget him."

"Tom Petty was the coolest guy I ever knew," said longtime friend and collaborator Jeff Lynne.

"This is unbearable," Sheryl Crow wrote on Twitter. "Vegas and now a great music hero has passed. You brought us so much joy, [Tom Petty]. We will miss you."