Why is Tom Petty so revered?

[elgecko]

It is unusual, and I'm trying to think of another artist claimed as "one of their own" by regions so far apart. Can't think of another.

Petty has almost always pushed the Southern-roots aspects of his music (if not necessarily the Florida-roots aspect), and it seems like he's pushed that even more in recent years, with the Mudcrutch reunion the most recent evidence of that.

But ... back to that double-coast identity. Sounds like a good topic for a grad-school paper - American Studies? Musicology?

I don't believe any of the original Eagles are native Californian's but the Eagle are a decidedly "California"/"Los Angeles" band

 

[Tampabass]

True, but they were never claimed by another region as "one of their own." And Petty & the Heartbreakers have been thought of as both a Florida/Southern band & SoCal band

 

[dalkowski]

Tom Petty doesn't rank anywhere near my top 10 favorite artists.

That being said, playing any Tom Petty song in a room full of drunk girls is bound to get the stage mobbed by a room full of drunk girls.

Love him or hate him, the guy writes a good song.

Drunk American girls.

 

[Flashback Bass]

"The Postman" was a 1997 Kevin Costner movie. Tom Petty was in it too.

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Personally, I prefer his Lucky character on King of the Hill.

Thanks!

 

[Richland123]

ZZ Top's last charting song was "Rough Boy", the ballad off the drum machine record in like 1988.

ZZ Top has had quite a few songs on the charts since Rough Boy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZZ_Top_discography

 

[RexNFX79]

I've always thought that he wrote good music and is very consistent. He never got way into left field or tried to reinvent himself to try to sell more albums. He always delivers good music. Much respect for Petty!

 

[sonic assassin]

because he is simple enough for any idiot to understand. working class hero type.

and naturally, i hate his guts so the rest of the world loves him. the only thing tom petty ever did right was voice lucky on king of the hill

 

[thebassgrognard]

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?

I'm not going to read through all the posts, so excuse me if this has been said.....you "appreciate their gear"?

I guess Springsteen has a cool guitar as well. There are people that don't get his music either, even though I can't possibly imagine folks not liking either Petty or Springsteen. I guess it takes all kinds. There are groups that I don't particularly like as well.