Conversations with Tom Petty

I have been a fan of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers since I first saw their video for "You Got Lucky" on MTV way back in the early '80s. I feel as if I grew up with the band, and it's great to find them today still going strong. This book merely reinforced my opinion of the Heartbreakers and its music, and more importantly, in the way they have conducted themselves over their long career. What I enjoyed most about this book is that I was able to learn two different things: more about Petty personally, and more importantly, detail after detail regarding each major period in his musical career, along with the songs and albums that highlighted those periods. Each musical period is broken down, whether it is the Damn The Torpedoes period, or Full Moon Fever or Echo, and Petty specifically talks about what was going on during those times in the band, in the business and in his life. It was also nice to learn so many details on the usually quiet Heartbreakers and the politics within the band. Highly enjoyable were the sections on The Traveling Wilburys, which will make you want to join such a band after reading about it, and then the tragic look at the last years of Howie Epstein, bassist for the Heartbreakers who died in 2003. It was also interesting to get Petty's take on former Heartbreakers drummer Stan Lynch, who left in 1994, and who was a lightning rod in the band for many years, and hear how pleased he was (despite the circumstances) to have original bassist Ron Blair return to the band after Epstein's death. The last part of the book runs through each album and allows Petty to discuss some songs in detail, which is highly fascinating. Above and beyond these touches, there are excellent photographs, many in color, and most of which I had never seen previously. Conversations with Tom Petty is a highly enjoyable read because Petty seems to have been pretty weary of the media in the past, and as a result, has avoided long interactions with the press. Here it is clear that Petty is comfortable with author Paul Zollo, and that comes through while you are reading the book. The book is written in conversational style (it reads like a long interview), and as a result, you will find yourself unable to put the book down as it is easy to read and highly addictive. This is a band that has never embarrassed themselves in the press or in public, and it's great to see their legacy celebrated with this publication. I appreciated the layout of the book as it gets right to the point: it's about the music and the business of being in a band, through all the high points and low points. Petty is neither egotistical nor boring, and it's refreshing to get his perspective on things. Highly recommended for fans of the Heartbreakers or music in general.

Paul Zollo writes this book as a series of interviews with Tom Petty and the reader quickly realizes that Zollo has done his homework. He knows music and he really, really knows the Petty catalog. Even better, he is a good interviewer, who skillfully draws the soft-spoken Petty out as he shares about his triumphs and tragedies experienced in his 30-plus year career in music. Emerging out of the Southern rock central Florida scene to become one of the quintessential L.A. bands, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are rock and roll icons, architects of a sound that perfectly blends the Byrds, Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Beach Boys, the Allman Brothers, and a dash of Elvis and ELO. Their body of work is among the most impressive and successful of any American rock band, and Petty has been their merry ringleader since day one. What comes through in the book is not only a very thorough examination of virtually every Petty song and album, but great insights into the creative process and colorful anecdotes of Petty's experiences with a virtual who's who of rock and pop music. I particularly enjoyed his insights into his Traveling Wilbury pals Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne, George Harrison, and Roy Orbison. Not to mention his warm thoughts about Johnny Cash. Reading this book caused me to back through every Petty CD that I own and appreciate all over again the depth and breadth of his work. This man is a songwriter on a par with Dylan, Springsteen, or Neil Young; and that's just lyrically. Melodically, he's got 'em all beat. Of course, having a phenomenal band like The Heartbreakers to work with, plus great producers such as Jeff Lynne and Rick Rubin, has only further enhanced Petty's artistic output. Petty is amazingly humble and quick to credit others. At the end of the day, this is a guy you'd want to hang out with and learn from. Hats off to Zollo for so perfectly capturing Tom Petty and some wonderful snapshots of many great music heroes.

As a big fan of Petty's music and persona, I found this a fascinating read. The conversational format preserves Petty's voice and mannerisms, creating a lively, first-person presentation. The first half of the book chronicles Petty's musical life history, from his youth in Gainesville garage bands through his subsequent career at the top of the music scene. His experiences: the musical influences, friendships, values, relationships with fellow members of the Heartbreakers, and his critiques of an increasingly corporate music industry, add up to both a cultural history of American rock and a personal biography that will resonate with every apsiring musican. In the second half, which focuses on Petty's prolific body of work as a songwriter, Zollo guides Petty through a detailed, song by song analysis (idea, chorus, bridge, melody, chords, etc) of the craft and inspiration behind the music. A generous selection of pictures is included, although the quality is uneven. Author Zolla's expertise on Petty's music does come across as almost obsessively pedantic, and he presses some points and questions too far. Happily, Petty manages to deliver thoughtful, articulate responses mixed with self-deprecating wit and an awareness that magic and serendipity are part of the creative process. Tom Petty has taken us on quite a ride over the years, and this book is almost as fun as talking to him yourself.

Top-notch writer, Paul Zollo guides you on Tom Petty's journey as a young rocker from Gainesville followed his dream. Packed with nearly 30 years of Heartbreakers' history, the conversations explore Tom's life and the music of one of America's most dedicated and legendary bands. Most interesting is his meeting & friendship with George Harrison. I finally "get" the twang at the start of "Billy The Kid". When he speaks of sharing/trading vinyl records in his youth, I flashed back to my own teenage years. Comparing my time line with the progress of TP & HB's music, I marvel at the amount of songs that have changed meaning through the events in my life. I feel assured of their longevity and look forward to each new album with more patience, as I am, today, fulfilled. Paul Zollo's book allows you to become absorbed into the conversations. I treasure my copy of this book as much as I do the collection of albums and cds. A must have for every rock & roll fan!

I have always been a big fan of Tom Petty's music. This book follows the course of Petty's carrer and his evolution as a songwriter and musician using Petty's own words. The author (who acts more as an interviewer) has a knack for asking the questions that I wanted answered as well. I came away with the impression that Petty is a very sincere artist who, above all else, cares about the music. A fun and fascinating trip through a great career. Highly recommended.