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Why is Tom Petty so revered?

blipndub

blipndub

Apr 27, 2000
3,240
87
56
Olympia, Washington
www.reverbnation.com
#1
I mean their stuff is okay, it's good and all. But I feel like there is something I'm missing because I don't think Petty is like the greatest songwriter since Dylan or Lennon.

Pop folks love him and serious musicians really love him too. I appreciate their great gear and the fact that they've been together for 30 years or whatever, but I don't really feel the love. What am I missing?
 
#3
It's not only for his music (which I think is pretty great), but for his stand against the major labels and their control of musicians. I think it was in the 80's that he went to war with MCA over artistic control and the marketing of his music and eventually won, which led to big changes that has really helped lesser known artists. He is also known as one of the nicest guys in rock.
 
#5
FritoBandito said:
It's not only for his music (which I think is pretty great), but for his stand against the major labels and their control of musicians. I think it was in the 80's that he went to war with MCA over artistic control and the marketing of his music and eventually won, which led to big changes that has really helped lesser known artists. He is also known as one of the nicest guys in rock.
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This........ Plus The Heartbreakers represent an era in pop music that musicianship (and musical instruments!) were a requirement. They are a really loose, musical group.

He also writes a mean song, too.
 
#7
Frito, that makes sense. he's kind of musician's hero, brining solid folk-based rock music to the pop scene without being a complete sell-out. I get that.

5SB, it's not that I hate him or am interested in a love him or leave him kind of thing, I just wonder if the folks here can shed some light on his seemingly vast popularity across so many different kinds of people.

Maybe his influence on music has been so vast that it doesn't seem so noticeable any more as so many others have followed his lead?
 
#14
blipndub said:
I mean their stuff is okay, it's good and all. But I feel like there is something I'm missing because I don't think Petty is like the greatest songwriter since Dylan or Lennon.

Pop folks love him and serious musicians really love him too. I appreciate their great gear and the fact that they've been together for 30 years or whatever, but I don't really feel the love. What am I missing?
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it's not to your taste......no foul.....i only like a few of his tunes myself......listen to his show on xm and you'll find a class guy with an almost encyclopedic knowledge of music that's a great listen every time
 
#15
blipndub said:
:)

Frito, didn't he get popular in a time when music was more contrary to what he was doing, I mean they hit big time during the new wave years, right?
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Actually, ya. TP started during the punk/new wave years (ahhhh, for the good old days), and stayed true to his folky, country-ish, Dylan like musical ways, but was kind of a fringe player. While other acts screemed up the pop charts, Tom just kinda crept into the music scene. He and the Heartbreakers were really admired by other musicians for their great musical chops and Toms great story telling ability, but they didn't really take off until the mid 80's. Even today, they don't fill venues because of their wild, crazy, over the top shows, people go to see him because it's just good, solid, rock n roll. By the way, Mike Campbell, who has been with TP since the beginning of time, is now considered one of the greatest guitar players in rock.
 
#20
Petty is not a "great" songwriter. His songs aren't "deep" or overly poetic, but I think that's why so many people can relate to them. They're about everyday people experiencing everyday things. Who hasn't "needed to know" or "run down a dream" or "couldn't help but thinking that there was little more life somewhere else"?

Same goes for the music. I don't think many go to a Petty show expecting musical "pyrotechnics"...but it's solid and tasty. Kind of like comfort food for the soul!
 

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