R.I.P. Tom Petty

[journeybear]

Tom Petty was officially declared dead tonight, at 8:40 PM PDT, after some initial reports proved premature. I guess it was too much to hope for, that he would pull through. Thank you for all the music that will last forever. Grateful to have met him once, however briefly. Rock in peace.

There was a bit of mandolin in his music, though I'm a bit too out of sorts to dig any up right now. I recall the second bass player in The Heartbreakers, Howie Epstein, also played mandolin, in a striking coincidence with Chris Hillman of The Byrds, a band that inspired Petty's sound, especially early on.

Naturally, I've played a lot of his songs over the years. In fact, my most recent band played "Mary Jane's Last Dance," as had an earlier band. I was reminded of this when the lead singer posted a room recording of us doing it as a memoriam. Here it is for you all.

[billykatzz]

Yes, very sad. Tom Petty made a lot of great music. His lyrics were evocative: a bit of Dylan, a bit of McGwinn. Petty & The Heartbreakers was one of the bands I'd always been meaning to go see live. Sadly, now I won't have the chance. RIP, TP.

[Tavy]

Amazing musician for all kinds of reasons - will be very much missed - never heard a bad Tom Petty track.

[Francis J]

Tom followed his musical heroes, and made a noise that will never subside. So sad to hear of his passing, last night. RIP

[David Lewis]

Farewell to Charlie T. Wilbury and Muddy Wilbury.

[Tom Sanderson]

R. I. P.

[MikeZito]

As a Rickenbacker guitar guy myself, I always had something of an affinity for Petty's music and guitar style.

Thanks Tom - RIP.

[fatt-dad]

My wife and I watched the 4-hour documentary about Tom Petty. It's on Netflix and very good!

Tough to think of such a sudden death when he's sort of my contemporary. . .

Great musician and I bet great guy too!

R.I.P.

f-d

[Timbofood]

That documentary is really beautifully well done, I saw it a few years ago. I am sorry to see another great musician pass. As well as a Rickenbacker and Guild afficionado for that matter.
Enjoy the green room and stage of the great hereafter.

[Caleb]

One more Wilbury gone.

[Patrick Hull]

Last Dance is one of the great rock songs of all time. Several years ago, I officially adopted the line, "I don't know but I've been told, if you never slow down you never grow old," as my motto. Not so sure how that worked out for Mary Jane or Tom (maybe it did) but I'm still trucking along.

[Folkmusician.com]

One of my all time favorite artists. I was just thinking about the Wilburys as well. Sad news.

[Br1ck]

Frontman for one of the true collaborative bands of our time. The lifestyle takes its toll.

[G7MOF]

God rest you Tom.

[Paul Kotapish]

Saw him just a month ago and he and the Heartbreakers were in great form. Heartbroken. Posted this video elsewhere, but it's one of the few with real mandolin content. Great song in a slightly "unplugged" version.

[Jim]

One of the great artists of our time! I have covered many of his tunes in bar bands and around campfires. In my family his songs were loved by all my children as well. RIP Tom and thanks!

[LadysSolo]

Listened to his music most of my life - "I Won't Back Down!" was one of my theme songs in my teens/20s (a long time ago!) RIP Tom Petty.....

[Don Grieser]

Got to see him quite a few years ago when he was touring with Dylan. So good.

So sad to hear this news. Rock on, Tom.

[soliver]

Free Fallin’ Was one of my first ever favorite songs, and one of the first songs I learned to play on the guitar. Played a handful of Tom Petty songs at the Jam tonight.... RIP Tom.

[mgap]

Now with Tom passing, 1/2 of the Traveling Wilburys are gone.

[journeybear]

Got to see him quite a few years ago when he was touring with Dylan. So good.

Saw him/them then too, backing Dylan, Grateful Dead opening. Folurth of July 1986. Rich Stadium in Buffalo. The Dead were a bit off, and Jerry went into his first coma a week later. Petty and Dylan knocked it out of the park, though. Great matchup of talent, and The Hearbreakers' segment in the middle of Dylan's set was outstanding.

Been trying to remember how many times I saw TP & HB. The most memorable was 1998, Lucinda Williams opening, and this was when I met him, briefly. There also was a show in July 1987, The Del Fuegos and Georgia Satellites opening. Only three times ... thought it was more.

Good to see that non-Rickenbacker Mike Campbell plays. Been discussed around here a bit over the years. Built by Tony Revell, I see. Like the tremolo bar. Would love to mess around with something like that.

[Capt. E]

My wife and I have attended a Tom Petty concert four times, all here in Austin. The first was in the early 80's when The Heartbreakers were the "warm-up" act for Bob Dylan. Most people didn't want him to leave the stage. I read that Dylan was shattered by the news. I feel very fortunate to have seen TP @ HB play here on his last tour. We will all miss him very much. I only wish the sound had been better at the Erwin Center. Didn't really matter, though.

[OneChordTrick]

Damn the Torpedoes was the first CD I ever bought, a few months before I bought a CD player. Just been watching his Gainesville concert from 2006. Even some mandolin on Insider there.

R.I.P.