Tom Petty on Life Support

RIP. Songtrack of my life.

Just passed away. The happenings in Las Vegas are certainly a bigger tragedy...but this day...and this world is a shitty place sometimes.

Yeah it is, but that's why I escape to this little corner of universe and the freinds I have made here!

Such a great songwriter. RIP

A buddy saw his last concert last week at the hollywood bowl. He was seemingly fine. Killer concert. Today sucks. In so many ways....,.

Posting twice in this thread instead of editing my previous post. The horrible incident in Vegas and the passing of Tom Petty had me go back and read one of my very favorite quotes about time, here it is:

“It's being here now that's important. There's no past and there's no future. Time is a very misleading thing. All there is ever, is the now. We can gain experience from the past, but we can't relive it; and we can hope for the future, but we don't know if there is one.”
― George Harrison

I happened to be at CBGB when an unknown band from Florida did their first gig in NY. I recognized the power of the band and their charismatic leader instantly, even though only a handful of people were there. I was a little jealous because Mercury Records had just signed my band The Demons, but I could tell this band was getting better support. Their roadies actually removed CB's P.A., installed their own, then broke it down and put the house P.A. back. No one did that. Years later, I talked with Benmont Tench about it, and we had a good laugh.

I met Tom Petty at the after party of the Lincoln Center premier of the movie Punch Drunk Love. Kirsten Dunst, Julia Roberts, John Turturro, and director Paul Thomas Andersen were there. I didn't speak with them, but Tom and I chatted a bit, birds of a feather I guess. My music has been compared to Tom Petty's enough times for it to become annoying. Obviously, we had similar influences, The Byrds, Dylan, The Beatles, and so many others. As time passed, I began to see that as a great compliment. I wasn't originally a big fan, he was more of a contemporary to me, but my appreciation for Tom Petty grew and grew over the years.

Eventually, his music became an important part of my life, and a benchmark of mine. I so admired his great skill at making a record, his brilliant songwriting, fantastic productions, his true heart, and his willingness to stand up for what was right in an extremely tough business. He brought so much joy to so many people, I can only believe angels were there to greet him today. He was one of us, a true musician, a true Rock & Roll artist of the highest order. As my eyes tear up, and this page is getting blurry, I miss him already, and send my deepest sympathies to his family, his friends and his band.

Thank's for the music Tom. You were a once in a lifetime talent. No one could strum a guitar and write a song like you could! The kids love you today as much as they did in the 80s. You are timeless brother!

Yes, death reports were premature. I think he may pass soon though.

Yeah I no some stubborn SOB who they said the same thing about and he still kickin

He has passed as of midnight EST. RIP

What a loss. All around.