10/3/17 Tom Petty and Las Vegas Tribute
Approximately 4 hours ago, the rock music legend Tom Petty passed away at the age of 66, leaving behind a family, his band, and millions of adoring fans. Tom Petty may be gone, but his music will be with us for generations to come. This week, I'd like to pay a special tribute to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. I'm becoming increasingly worried this week is humanity's Hell Week. Sunday night, 59 people are killed in Las Vegas, followed by the immediate politicalization of the tragedy by several people whose names I will not mention, and now the death of the great Tom Petty. It is only Tuesday.
But Tom Petty's music will always be around. I was listening to Tom Petty Radio on Sirius XM last night trying to get updates on his condition, and one host described Tom as a sort of "redneck hippie". And that's kind of what described southern rock; you could be sensitive but you could be an ass at the same time. That's not to harp on southern rock, but rather to celebrate it. That's what characterized Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, he can sound badass while simultaneously conveying emotion and vivid imagery. Few other artists in rock have been able to do that as successfully as Tom did, and by God he did it well.
I may not have grown up on Tom Petty as much as I did other artists, but around a couple years ago I realized how extraordinary Tom was. He had a gift, a gift that some would argue put him on the same level as the Allman Brothers Band. Tom Petty spoke to a generation of young adults in the 70s and 80s; he was hip and cool, but he seamlessly blended his popularity with more of the traditional rock listeners. There was something about him that fans of all ages adored. Perhaps it was his personality, maybe it was his music. Yet the fact that Tom Petty has become a household name even today should tell you a lot about his influence; that even after his death perhaps even years from now people will still recognize the artistry that was Tom Petty. After the shooting in Las Vegas on Sunday, people needed a beacon of hope- even if it was just a small glimmer. Unfortunately, with Tom's passing, many did not see that beacon. A lot of us saw despair. But, I would like to take the opportunity to provide that little bit of hope here if I can, even if its just a faint smile of nostalgia- it is still something.
Tom Petty was extraordinary in the way he made music, he wrote his songs with feeling and with a sense of purpose. While many other artists tried to do the same, very few if any were on par with Petty.
To the victims of the horrific attacks in Las Vegas, and to Tom Petty. You will never be forgotten.
But Tom Petty's music will always be around. I was listening to Tom Petty Radio on Sirius XM last night trying to get updates on his condition, and one host described Tom as a sort of "redneck hippie". And that's kind of what described southern rock; you could be sensitive but you could be an ass at the same time. That's not to harp on southern rock, but rather to celebrate it. That's what characterized Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, he can sound badass while simultaneously conveying emotion and vivid imagery. Few other artists in rock have been able to do that as successfully as Tom did, and by God he did it well.
I may not have grown up on Tom Petty as much as I did other artists, but around a couple years ago I realized how extraordinary Tom was. He had a gift, a gift that some would argue put him on the same level as the Allman Brothers Band. Tom Petty spoke to a generation of young adults in the 70s and 80s; he was hip and cool, but he seamlessly blended his popularity with more of the traditional rock listeners. There was something about him that fans of all ages adored. Perhaps it was his personality, maybe it was his music. Yet the fact that Tom Petty has become a household name even today should tell you a lot about his influence; that even after his death perhaps even years from now people will still recognize the artistry that was Tom Petty. After the shooting in Las Vegas on Sunday, people needed a beacon of hope- even if it was just a small glimmer. Unfortunately, with Tom's passing, many did not see that beacon. A lot of us saw despair. But, I would like to take the opportunity to provide that little bit of hope here if I can, even if its just a faint smile of nostalgia- it is still something.
Tom Petty was extraordinary in the way he made music, he wrote his songs with feeling and with a sense of purpose. While many other artists tried to do the same, very few if any were on par with Petty.
To the victims of the horrific attacks in Las Vegas, and to Tom Petty. You will never be forgotten.
The American Spirit Will Carry On
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