Happy Birthday, Tom Petty!
American singer and songwriter Tom Petty would celebrate his birthday today. He was the frontman of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Petty was a founding member of the late 1980s supergroup the Traveling Wilburys and Mudcrutch.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers had the 1977 single “American Girl”, the 1989 UK No.28 single “I Won’t Back Down”, and the 1991 UK No.3 album Into The Great Wide Open. The Traveling Wilburys had the 1988 UK No. 21 single “Handle With Care”.
Petty has also released a string of solo albums. Throughout his career, he sold over 60 million albums.
Band With An Edge
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers arrived in the late 70s in the middle of the punk/new wave movement. The band was different, with an edge. With their blend of Byrds riffs and rock ‘n’ roll swagger, great songs, and exceptional talent, they stood out. And they looked like a rock ‘n’ roll band.
Musical Influence of Elvis
Petty’s introduction to music came during the summer of 1961. His uncle was working on the set of Elvis Presley’s new film Follow That Dream in nearby Ocala, Florida. He invited Petty to come down and watch the shoot. He instantly became an Elvis Presley fan.
After seeing The Beatles in 1964 on The Ed Sullivan Show, he knew he wanted to be in a band. One of his first guitar teachers was Don Felder of The Eagles, a fellow Gainesville resident.
Petty is Rock Royalty
Petty is rock royalty. He has composed and performed with Stevie Nicks, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash and others.
He became a member of the Traveling Wilburys, with Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Roy Orbison, and Jeff Lynne.
Petty has released critically acclaimed solo albums, the first of which was 1989’s Full Moon Fever, which included his signature tune, “Free Fallin’” and “I Won’t Back Down”, and “Runnin’ Down a Dream”. “I Won’t Back Down” was later covered by Johnny Cash.
Petty was born on October 20, 1950, and died on 2 October 2017.
Image Credit – By Ирина Лепнёва
