RIP.

What a tremendous loss and such a stand up guy. If I recall he just finished a tour last week. Just awful.

Running Down A Dream is four hours of the most riveting rock documentary you will ever watch. And I guess now an amazing tribute.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tom-petty-legendary-rocker-is-dead-at-66/

Stunned.

Truly sad news.


http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/tom-petty-rock-iconoclast-who-led-the-heartbreakers-dead-at-66-w506651

Just saw that, so sad.

Just happened to peak at the off-topic, saw Tom Petty, and thought I'd see what was happening. And, found out he was gone. Really tragic. Always loved his stuff, ever since I first heard Break Down. Loved the grooves and his vocals, and the way he fused into the old souls of rock and roll with Harrison, Lynne, Dylan, and Orbison. Just played sweet rock and roll you could not help but love. Too many great ones have left us in the past 2 years. So sad. RIP Tom.

Now CBS and others have said the death cannot be confirmed.

Same thing I just ran into:

http://www.msn.com/en-us/music/celebrity/tom-petty-on-life-support-after-cardiac-arrest-according-to-reports/ar-AAsPaul?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartandhp

To me, not so stunning.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2015/10/07/tom-petty-was-a-heroin-addict-in-the-90s-heres-why-hes-finally-talking-about-it/

This is so prevalent in the entertainment world. Not just music it's everywhere in "Hollywood", acting, music, TV shows, news anchors, everywhere.

Big stars like Prince and MJ surrounded themselves with rabid yes men who will say anything to protect their idol so all this BS comes out about how he treated his body like a temple, nobody ever saw him doing anything etc, etc. All BS.

At least Petty admitted it and we all know the recidivism rate for this, right? Anybody read the Carry Fisher autopsy tox screen results? She writes this book years ago telling all about it, becomes a hero, basks in the glory of coming clean. Right, all BS.

This has nothing to do with their influence, their writing, performances, all the joy they gave to their fans. No, this is my personal rant against the Hollywood hypocrisy about this. I'm using the word Hollywood generically. It could be New York, Nashville, anywhere. If you're not doing this stuff and partying hard as a player, actor or wannabe trying to get your foot in the door, you're out. I'm sure there's exceptions but basically, that's it. It's been that way for 100 years and it's still that way now.

I'm a big fan of music obviously and lots of movies and TV shows. Love them, great performances and entertainment value. BUT, I have no illusions about the personal lives of these people. Enjoy their art but don't waste any time reading or listening to interviews about anything and have zero interest in what they say personally. It's all pure 100%, finest grade BS.

Bob

Not the first time the media has incorrectly speculated about someones passing, I would wait until we have official information from his family, manager or himself.

So why don't you tell us what you REALLY think Bob! Hehe.

Well, Bob may have sounded insensitive to some of you, but he is essentially correct. How many times are we expected to feel sorry for someone who uses substances that either speed up or slow down the heart until that one time they push a little too hard? How often do we read stories about people who overcome a habit that they chose to partake in, and we are supposed to laud their "courage". Does it take courage to take a loaded gun out of your mouth, or common sense?

It's sad when ANYBODY dies, but reality is that we are all going to die. Natural causes is quite different from dying from something that was a conscious choice. It's just that in the case of "normal" people, only a handful of people will care. In my case, I can count them on less than one hand. (I tend to burn bridges.)

However, all that said, I DO wish news sources like TMZ would fact check before they start rumors. I read that Petty died early in the day. Within an hour it changed to heart attack and he was taken off life support. I don't even know where it stands now. Rolling Stone actually picked up the story from TMZ and incorrectly stated he had died about 2 this afternoon.

Well, it's official now.

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2017/10/03/legendary-rock-star-tom-petty-dead-at-66.html

Bob

I was thinking about him a few day before, wondering how old he is now.
Must of pick up the vibes.
They come here with so much talent and creativity then leave it here for generations to come, job done, going back home to a higher place.
I'm fixing a jukebox at the moment, all working good now and it's got Full Moon Fever and The Wilburys on it playing now as I type.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMVjToYOjbM

Maybe somewhere down the road aways (end of the line)
You'll think of me, wonder where I am these days....

Well, I believe he has a reunion meeting with Roy and George.

Well said, GHinCH

Hopefully, we can see a bright side to his passing.

And hopefully part of that bright side is that if you use drugs and smoke like he did, stop or you may join him when you are short of your 67th birthday, too. He used heroin, cocaine and was a chain smoker for years.

A musician's musician...RIP Tom!

I totally agree Frank

For me I remember driving around at a young age and hearing
"Here Comes My Girl" and I'm thinking that's the coolest song
I heard since the Beatles, maybe the best song ever!
Around 1981 my band went to LA to try to "make it" in the music
business, stopped in LA for gas and "The Waiting" is playing on
the speakers there and i think, man, we could open for the
Heartbreakers, that would be big enough and good enough for me.
Of course we never got that far. One of the band members was
from the area and at a later time we went to find some parts for something
electrical, can't remember, but I'm riding in the passenger seat as we're
headed to Reseda. I asked my bandmate if that was Reseda down to
the right from the freeway. The freeway was running thru the yard
where some kids were tossing a ball. I knew that I was experiencing
a moment of inspiration that Tom had.
There are many other instances and connections. The first time I listened
to Wildflowers and was just blown away with how good it is.
It's always worth a listen, end to end.

Today the Philly radio station is playing nothing but Tom Petty,
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and Mudcrutch.
I wanted to just keep driving, best radio I've heard in years.

(edited the town name, as I get older the memory isn't as good, I said Pomona
when it was Reseda)

Kenny

I remember reading Don Felder's (of the Eagles) autobiography where he talked about teaching the neighborhood kid, little Tommmy Petty, how to play guitar.

I'm thinking it took...

Alcoholic Father > Childhood Abuse > Drugs....
but it's the Music that he will be remembered for, it's the Music that has and will inspire generations to come....

I forgot his name, but a famous Asian Medical Examiner said our hearts will beat a certain number of times and that's it, you die.

We have to make due during these beats.

Trax

Los Angeles is one of those cities that I have visited somewhat often on business travel. It the only city in the world where I feel like there’s a musical narrative pointing out the scene. I have Tom Petty to thank for that. “Move west down Ventura Boulevard”. When I visit, maybe it’s a weird thing for me to do it but I find it hard not to resist pointing my rental car to be able to drive west down Ventura Boulevard, while Free Fallin’ plays in my head. For this visitor, it just makes a sort of magic happen. I know, I need to get out more.

I have been fortunate not to have succumbed to substance abuse. I used to really look down my nose that do or have done so. As I get older, I find myself having more compassion for those that do struggle with it, even those that brag about it. There’s a hole they are trying to fill. We all have our tendencies to try to fill that hole.

“She’s a good girl; loves her mama; loves Jesus and America too. She’s a good girl; crazy about Elvis; loves horses and her boyfriend too,”

Tom, that’s the California girl we love. Thank you for introducing us to her.

May you Rest In Peace.

certainly one of my all-time favorites. He may be gone, but his music will be played for a long time to come. Especially at my house.

A sad day for music indeed - I remember his albums always being played in the house while I was growing up.

R.I.P. Tom Petty

If you have Netflix....

Tom Petty : Running Down A Dream.

I started watching it. it's really long. 3 to 4 hrs.... but covers so much detail. His first band.... Mud Crutch.... and you thought your early bands were named poorly. And so far.....one hour into it..... lots of music and videos.

I didn't finish the documentary so I'll have a go at it tonight again.

Re. The documentary

One thing you will see with TP that although he may not have been wise with his chemical consumption, he was a quite astute businessman as it came to his contracts. You will also come to really appreciate how great Campbell and Tench were/are as it pertains to the sound and success of the band. Watch Tench play B3 with one hand while he plays EP with the other