Pet Rocks! – Part 3

So what was the secret to Tom Petty’s successful 40-year career in rock music? I think it starts with the songs. While I find most of his music to be so-so filler when Petty strikes gold he hits the mother lode and has an undeniable gift for crafting timeless rock songs. Besides his own golden ear Petty also has Mike Campbell on lead guitar and Campbell is the secret weapon not only in the Heartbreakers but also on Petty’s solo albums (where he serves as producer). Early on Tom Petty found a way to tap into the rock mythos and stay true to the basic rock formula while appealing to the widest possible audience (he and the Heartbreakers may have overreached on the ambitious Southern Accents but Petty learned his lesson and soon returned to what he does best: Tom Petty music).

Like Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty stood for the underdog and while Springsteen may have received more love from the critics I think Petty was more beloved by the masses because he had an upbeat message about life and was smart enough to keep his politics and his music separate. Petty- who understood rock music and his fans better than anyone- was also a master showman and in his live performances you can hear the audience become the band’s sixth member. On the epic 4-disc The Live Anthology there are some really incredible moments and while the studio versions are necessary I think it’s Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ live recordings- especially those on The Live Anthology- that will ultimately age best and serve as their finest legacy. Here are some more of my favorites. Enjoy!

01. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – “I Won’t Back Down (Live)” (2007)
02. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – “Free Fallin’ (Live)” (2005)
03. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – “Rebels” (1985)
04. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – “American Girl” (1976)
05. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – “About to Give Out” (1999)
06. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – “Don’t Come Around Here No More” (1985)
07. Tom Petty – “You Don’t Know How It Feels” (1994)
08. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – “Breakdown (Live)” (1985)
09. Tom Petty – “Somewhere Under Heaven” (1994)
10. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – “Even the Losers (Live)” (1980)

Listen to the playlist on Spotify...

Recommended Links:

Runnin' Down a Dream: The Official Trailer