Tom Leadon Dead at 71: Mudcrutch Guitarist’s Life Explored

Tom Leadon, popularly known for being one of the co-founders of Mudcrutch, has passed away at the age of 71; what was his cause of death?

According to Variety, the tragic news was confirmed by his bandmate Mike Campbell by sharing an emotional post on Twitter, saying he was his "deepest guitar soul brother."

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

As of this writing, the musician's cause of death was only listed as "natural causes" but the exact manner of how he died was not publicly revealed.

Tom Leadon Life Explored

Born in 1952 in Rosemount, Minnesota, the singer only stayed in the farming community for a few years before his family relocated to San Diego, California, years after he was born.

In 1964, his family decided to move again to Gainesville, Florida. Little did he know, it was the place where his life would change it was the city where he met his Mudcrutch bandmates.

It appears that Leadon has been exposed to music since he was a kid as his parents were both musically inclined. His mother knew how to play the piano and often plays for the church choir, while his father knows how to sing.

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At the age of 13, he decided to join a local band called Epics. Tom Petty also lives around the area and was a part of the rival teen band called the Sundowners.

Leadon said his friendship with the musician began when he knocked on the door where Petty was rehearsing and then he didn't stop going there for the next three or four years.

"We were pretty much inseparable. I was fascinated with Petty," he said.

How Did They Establish Mudcrutch?

For the hit band, it was initially just Leadon and Petty, but Randall Marsh later joined as a drummer after answering an advertisement.

Later on, Mike Campbell, who was Marsh's housemate, also joined in. They later named the band Mudcrutch which was derived from a property that holds music festivals and concerts.

Another member was later added to the band, Benmont Tench. However, Leadon was not a part of the group anymore when the keyboardist started playing.

"I'm just sorry I didn't stay around in those days when Benmont started playing with them," he said.

The reason why he departed from the group was that he wanted to travel to Southern California to embark on a country-rock career as his brother, Bernie Leadon, was a part of the Eagles and had invited him to live with him in Los Angeles.

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