Tom Petty 1950-2017 RIP

[Conchis]

Reports are coming in from America that Petty has been taken off life support after suffering a cardiac arrest.

Bitterly sad news, if true. He was only 66.

[teamsaint]

Always really liked his music, and the very positive vibe I got off it. Excellent, thoughtful songwriter.

IT does seem now as if he has passed away.

RIP Tom.
Thanks for some wonderful music.

[BBMmk2]

RIP Tom Petty

Love his music

[cloughie]

Sad news, a good solid contributor to the music scene over four decades, Dylan's touring band in the 80s, Wilburys now down to two!
RIP, Tom.

[Constantbee]

Tragic ;_; The stress of the 40th Anniversary Tour perhaps? Recorded the BBC4 programmes about TP & THB last night.

[Stanley Stewart]

Tragic ;_; The stress of the 40th Anniversary Tour perhaps? Recorded the BBC4 programmes about TP & THB last night.

Indeed, I, too, recorded the 1980 Tom Petty documentary, Rock Goes to College, shown on BBC 4 ( 2 or 3 Oct) when the late night schedule was changed at a few hours notice. I knew little about his work except the hits, American Girl and I Won't Back Down; such a fine platform presence and musical talent to match. A sad loss.

[Lat-Literal]

My contribution which was first posted on the Arts Boards in reply to earlier comments from Stanley:

"When the news broke about Petty's passing - unfortunately before it actually happened - I went directly to Bob Harris's Twitter page because it is virtually impossible in this country to separate those two people, such was Harris's long term devotion. He put it very simply but meaningfully - "To Hell with this day". I was never a massive fan of Petty but several of his songs - especially "American Girl" - epitomized a strong concept of the US in the seventies for a British teenager comprising the uplifting, the expansive and the exotically far away. See also Bob Seger's "Hollywood Nights". These are the sort of songs that not not only motored musically but are inevitably to be found on compilations entitled "Driving". (Of course, one decides along the way - 1980s - never ever to go to the US because of its ridiculous gun lobby.)

It is, though, the Traveling Wilburys who are closer to my heart - the supergroup of Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison and Tom Petty which recorded two albums in 1988 and 1990. This was at a time when Lynne was out of favour with many, being seen as trying to turn everything including that project into another Electric Light Orchestra. I always got that point but I also got the other point which is that his talent if not equal to all of the others is undeniable and we were lucky that the group happened. In fact, it has been in this decade when my liking of Lynne has returned to how I felt about him in the 1970s and the Traveling Wilburys - with Tom Petty - are key to what is now a historical overview. I only wish I didn't have to remind myself how to spell their name every time I try to write about them".

RIP Tom.

[teamsaint]

Like you Lat, I wouldn't call myself a massive fan, but I think there was a rather intangible strength. He didn't have to rock out to make the point, lyrical or musical, there was a kind of inner toughness to the music, I always felt.

Anyway, for what little it is worth, and despite the fact that he wrote a lot of excellent songs, and some real classics, If I had to pick one, it would be " The Waiting", without a moments hesitation.

[cloughie]

This duet with Stevie Nicks from her Bella Donna album is a great example of his work. (It is also a great album from Stevie - a long-time favourite of mine)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UD0c58nNCQ

[AmpH]

Only just caught up with this. Sad news indeed. Among several fine albums I would probably pick out ' Into the great wide open ' which was his second collaboration with Jeff Lynne and included this :-