Tom Petty has died after being removed from life support at the age of 66.

The Rock and Roll legend died at 8:40 p.m. in Los Angeles while surrounded by his family, friends, and bandmates, according to his longtime manager Tony Dimitriades.

The move came after tests confirmed the Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers lead singer had no brain function on Monday morning, hours after he suffered a devastating cardiac arrest.

The veteran star had been found unconscious and not breathing at his Malibu home on Sunday night, as first reported by TMZ.

Responding to a 911 call, emergency services resuscitated Petty before rushing him to hospital in nearby Santa Monica.

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The final picture: Tom Petty, front right, is seen backstage before his final performance at the Hollywood Bowl last week; he has died aged 66 following a devastating cardiac arrest

As he was: Petty is seen performing in Britain back in 1978

Los Angeles police initially confirmed Petty's death to CBS News on Monday, but was forced to issue an apology as the singer had not yet died.

Hours later it was confirmed by multiple sources he had passed away after being removed from life support.

TMZ reported that the singer had a current Do Not Resuscitate order and both his family and a chaplain were at his bedside when life support was removed.

On Monday afternoon, TMZ posted an audio recording of the 911 emergency call Petty's wife Dana made after finding her husband unresponsive.

She tells the dispatcher that Petty wasn't breathing and was lying on the floor.

The dispatcher tries to talk her through performing CPR before Dana says that Petty was breathing 'very shallow breaths' at which point she was instructed to stop CPR, place him on his left side and wait for paramedics to arrive.

There was also a man, not identified, who was with her at the time and who also briefly spoke with emergency services.

Touring: The artist had just completed a 40th anniversary tour with The Heartbreakers, he is seen at a show in California on September 25

Rock 'n' Roll Hall Of Famer Petty first found fame in the 1970s with his band releasing hits including Breakdown, American Girl, The Waiting, Free Fallin', Stop Draggin' My Heart Around and Listen to Her Heart.

He had success both as part of The Heartbreakers - with whom he worked on and off for 40 years - and as a solo artist.

He also formed part of the 1980s supergroup the Traveling Wilburys alongside Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne and Roy Orbison.

Petty's most recent album, 2014's Hypnotic Eye, was the first Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers to top the charts in the U.S.; he is pictured in Los Angeles on September 11

Petty continued to work as a popular musician up until his death.

His most recent album, 2014's Hypnotic Eye, was the first Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers to top the charts in the U.S.

The artist had just completed a 40th anniversary 53-date tour with The Heartbreakers, winning rave reviews with his final performance at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles last week.

His influence was widespread, and could be seen as stars From LeAnn Rimes to Sheryl Crow and Bryan Adams rushed to pay tribute on social media.

'Thank you for giving so much, a lifetime of inspiration and love,' wrote Ryan Adams.

Star power: Celebrities rushed to share their tributes to Petty

The celebs star: Petty was a fixture of the music business for decades

Family: Petty is seen with daughter Adria Petty and his second wife Dana York in 2012

Sad news: Pictured is Tom Petty's Malibu home where he was found unconscious and in full cardiac arrest

However Petty had recently talked of cutting back his work schedule to spend more time with his young granddaughter.

Talking to Rolling Stone in December, he said: 'I have a granddaughter now I'd like to see as much as I can. I don't want to spend my life on the road. This tour will take me away for four months. With a little kid, that's a lot of time.'

Petty was the father of daughters Adria and Annakim from his 22-year first marriage to his teenage sweetheart Jane Benyo.

Adria is a respected video producer, working with stars including Beyonce.

In mourning: Fans have been gathering around the Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame

Heartbreaking: Onlookers appeared devastated as they mourned the loss of a music legend

Tributes: Fans laid beautiful flowers around the candle decorated star

Petty is also survived by second wife Dana York Epperson. The two first met at one of his concerts in 1991 and married in 2001.

His daughter AnnaKim took to social media to share moving several emotional pictures of her reaction to her father's death.

She posted: '96 tears was the first song my dad taught me to play thank you for all the love this has been the longest day of my life'.

AnnaKim also posted several throwback pictures of herself and her father in happier times.

Grieving: His daughter AnnaKim took to social media to share moving several emotional pictures of her reaction to her father's death

Looking back: AnnaKim also posted several throwback pictures of herself and her father in happier times