Dammit, I was just singing along to âWonât Back Downâ on my way to work this morning. 66 is way too fucking young.
Petty was on tour only a week ago. I enjoyed his music - it has aged well. RIP
Itâs amazing to think of how many of his lyrics have worked their way into the fabric of our lives. RIP.
Had a feeling he wasnât going to survive as it sounded like heâd been alone when it happened. Yeah 66 is too young, but he lived well in those years from what I have seen and heard of his life and made a lot of folksâ lives happier too boot. So thanks Tom!
A carppy day yesterday made crappier.
RIP, Mr. Petty, you will be remembered by your music.
Probably more than any other musician/band, Petty and the Heartbreakers were kind of the background music of my teens and twenties. Of course, that got even more pronounced once I started attending school in Gainesville, and it never let up (Petty was played on the radio at least 6 times a dayâŚevery day. So much of his early stuff was written about Gainesville. American Girl and Listen to Her Heart are two that stand out)
I used to have recurring dreams about searching for a guitar with Tom Petty. Never really analyzed them, but I had them for several years.
He did a lot of great stuff, but Southern Accents was a tour de force for me, personallyâŚfollowed closely by Wildflowers (which is still one of the best road sound tracks, IMOâŚevery song has just a great driving rhythm.)
Definitely going to be missed.
As a musician, one of the things Iâve loved most about Tom Pettyâs music was that he went beyond the sound. Yeah, he knew how to write great lyrics, and he knew how to craft something distinctive to the ears, but⌠like Mark Knopfler and David Gilmore, his material was always interesting to play, and technically challenging. Not âoh my god, how do you do thisâ, but âhuh. That chord progression feels different when you play it.â
Itâs a really cool thing to experience when so much of music feels like Pachelbel rehashed (which isnât their fault, either, but well⌠yeah).
Life is for living now folks.
Plus, check out the nifty guitar Campbell is using in this version of Southern Accents, when Petty played Gainesville in 2006.
This particular version gives me chills, seeing him playing it right there.
Just saw him back in June. What struck me besides the music was how genuinely gracious he was - singling out each of the band members in turn for praise and thanking them for being there with him. No sign of any âstarâ ego, just a guy loving what he was doing.
None of us is immortal, but Tom Petty? At 66? Unbearable. So sorry for his family and close friends, So sorry for all of us at this time that is already sad for so many reasons.
I was fortunate enough to see his last show lMonday night at the Hollywood Bowl. He shared some beautiful funny stories of how he met his band. He let his long time roadies choose some songs that they rarely play. Breakdown being one of them.
Donât have to be ashamed of the car I drive.
Iâm just glad to be here, happy to be alive.
And it donât matter if youâre by my side âŚ
Iâm satisfied.
RIP Charlie T. Wilbury Jr.
Tom Petty lived more than most of us can ever dream of. Every one of us is lucky to have lived during the lifetime of such a remarkable legend. Fly high, Tom Petty. Your music will live until the end of time. Thank you for making our world a better place.
This sucks
I love your music Tom
I will always have that
R.I.P. Tom Petty
I was a fan from the first listen in 1976. But when Tom Petty really came through for me was in 1986: I was newly arrived in Germany (like 48 hours), staying in US military housing with two little boys and no furniture (yet) but a TV set someone loaned us. It was raining, hubby was out in the field, so I was alone with the kids and European TV. Then Sky Channel broadcast a Tom Petty concert - a little shred of home. It meant more than I can say.
Tom Petty crafted deceptively simple melodies that could instantly hook the listener. He was a solid lyricist who crafted songs that were both interesting and accessible. And most importantly, seemed to be a decent guy. He was always on the radio cranking out hits since I was twelve or thirteen. He wasnât a game-changer like Bowie or Prince, he simply loved rock music, played what he loved, and he was awesome at it. A rare talent and Iâm going to miss him.
When a genuine human being dies, it hits especially hard.
And there just arenât many still aroundâŚ
Dylan
Young
Maya is gone
and Tomâs gone nowâŚ
anyone else?
Michele Obama?