Tom Petty is quite possibly the most under appreciated figure in late 20th century rock music; not because his music isn't popular, but because it's so taken for granted. He did something very rare: he remained relevant, as far as the music charts went, for better than two decades - an eternity in pop music. He had remained a steady concert draw, even after his hit making days came to an end around the turn of the millennium. He stayed so prominent for so long without chasing trends or fads. He wrote and played, along with his band the Heartbreakers, simple, durable rock and roll in the tradition of the Byrds, the Rolling Stones and the Beatles - but he never seemed to be copying. The influences were there, but the songs were always 100% Tom Petty.
After nearly a decade toiling in obscurity, Petty hit it big in the heart of the disco / post-punk / new wave era of the late '70's, but wasn't punk or new wave, much less disco. He wrote songs of heartbreak, longing and, defiance - probably the thing that he had most in common with the punks - oftentimes sprinkled with a bit of ironic humor. Although he grew disillusioned with the record industry, a frustration that crept into his later songs, I remember and cherish his music for it's deep emotion and life affirming quality. There were flashier acts, more innovative artists, but long after their novelties faded away, there was always Tom Petty - steady, reliable, easy to take for granted.
Out side of the Heartbreakers he worked with musicians as diverse as George Harrison, Bob Dylan, the Grateful Dead, Stevie Nicks and Johnny Cash, just to name a few. Dave Grohl made his first appearance after Kurt Cobain's death playing drums behind Petty on Saturday Night Live. But he didn't just mingle with rock royalty. In the 2000's he reformed his first band, the barley remembered Mudcrutch just because he felt like playing good old fashioned country tinged rock with old friends from back home.
Petty was obviously influenced by the British Invasion of the 1960's, a movement that saw UK artists take American music and sell it back to the US. It's slightly ironic that he broke in England first, showing them what American music was really all about - reclaiming it, infusing it with American authenticity that those others could only approximate.
He wasn't "Country Rock," but he was proud of his Southern roots, and his songs reflected the rebel ethos. He respected his elders, but he wasn't going to be held down by them. As I wrote, he grew frustrated with the music industry, where, as he put it, selling a million units was still seen as a failure. He wrote songs openly contemptuous of the corporate culture that was stifling pop music's creative impulses. Some have suggested that the relative failure of his Last DJ album was an act of revenge by his label that didn't vigorously promote it, and corporate radio that didn't play it. Undaunted, he kept performing to sold out arenas and recorded the music he believed in.
Always, we must remember that Tom Petty was a man. He had his ups and downs and personal issues. He was a father and a grandfather, who was looking forward to cutting back on touring to spend time with his family. His last tour ended just this past week, and he figured it would be the last major run around the concert circuit he would take. That he wouldn't have that time to enjoy the fruits of his labor, and the things that really matter in this life, is the saddest part of his death two days ago at age 66.
I don't know what Tom Petty's religious views were, but amid the very confused press coverage on the day he died, there was a report that a hospital chaplain was called to his bedside. He was unconscious, by all accounts, but that those close to him thought that this was something he would want is a great comfort to me. I was angry because, as I wrote, the various press outlets, in their haste to want to get the scoop, reported prematurely that he had died. Amid the fake news I hope that this little detail was true.
Thomas Earl Petty
October 20, 1950 - October 2, 2017
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, pest in peace. AMEN
No comments:
Post a Comment