Thomas Earl Petty, commonly known by his stage name, Tom has done so much for the music industry. His participation in the music industry has seen the rock and roll scene improve immensely in the quality of music content where the artists has sang songs that not only entertain the general public and listenership but also educate them in matters affecting the society at large. His has done many hit songs both as a solo artist and as a group, most of which have been widely accepted by both the youths and the general public through out his music career. For instance, his popular hit single "Depot Street" still resonates in the minds of many of his fans years after its release.
His lyrics are more memorable and informative, for instance:
“You and I will meet again, When we're least expecting it, One day in some far off place, I will recognize your face, I won't say goodbye my friend, For you and I will meet again.” (Marsh & Dave, 43)
His latest album is an entertaining and mainly educative album that many have approved in the music industry, “It’s ultimately a very optimistic album about hope and faith. People who say it’s about the music business haven’t listened to the whole album. The title track laments the dying art form of radio. Money Becomes King is about the concert business and artists that sell out. Joe is about a CEO, but it could be about any business, really. The Last D.J. is about morals. Its about at what point do you care about the human more than money. I used the music industry as a metaphor because I knew it very well, and it was easy to write about. But making a record just about the music industry would be so dull. They’ve always been a joke and they always will be. The Last D.J. is a fable. Maybe it just hits too close to the bone for some people. But it is fiction”.
Tom helped the music industry through starting his own band to promote his music aspirations: he started ‘epics’ band which in the preceding years transformed into Mudcruch band that has ever since produced so many other talented artists such as Danny Robert and Charlie Souza who have contributed greatly in the art of playing instruments such as guitars. He later on together with other talented artists started the Heartbreakers band that has rocked the music airwaves through their hit he single "Breakdown” that was re-released in 1977. His other hit singles include: "Don't Do Me Like That", "Here Comes My Girl" and "Refugee" all of which made it greatly in the music scene. Tom Petty contributed to the music industry through production of several albums among them You’re Gonna Get It, which became the Heartbreaker band's first Top 40 album at the time; Damn the Torpedoes was their third album, sold over two million copies; it includes their breakthrough singles. “In total, the number of albums Tom and his collaborators have produced is sixty million albums.”
Tom Petty is an instrumentalist, specifically a guitarist, who has played well his guitar putting smiles into his fans’ faces through his talent and skills. Playing guitar adds more flavor to the rock songs he and his band members play. It is his guitarist skills that define his genre of music (rock music). He has been behind the instrumentation of most of the songs he has produced thereby delivering the best to his music lovers across the world. His skills in instrument playing and other music contributions have therefore increases the rock music fan base. His solo albums such as ‘Highway Companion’ that he released in 2006 have continued to move his music fans. Thomas Earl is not only an American singer; he is a song writer and plays many instruments among them the guitar. He wrote many songs such as "Jammin' Me" which he wrote with Dylan.
Tom together with his crew members have entertained fans all over the world in many events including on February 3, 2008, where together with the Heartbreakers, they entertained guests at the Super Bowl XLII Halftime show.
Petty has been so much vocal in matters relating to talent and music. In early May this year, he commented on the talent sustainability of the winner’s of American Idol citing that many of the winners of this television series talent promotion program do not undergo enough training and therefore do not lead to quality artist. “They have toured the world entertaining fans and campaigning”
The artist through his family initiative has helped so many homeless people who he brings together and trains in terms of the art of music and how to become better people. By this, he has added so much to the music industry through promotion of young talent. “I’m a very blessed person so I feel it’s important to give something back and I like this particular charity because it’s for everyone and it offers a hand to anyone under any condition on the street,” he said. “It’s called ‘On the Cracks.’ It’s really simple stuff and I’m just trying to raise awareness, do what I can, and maybe I can inspire somebody else to do what they can.” (Holley, 72)
Bibliography
Bernie M., " Speech to Campus Community Council" In University of Florida Office of the President journal. 2006 Retrieved from
BFG Ad. “Not Petty To Petty” In Akron Beacon Journal: D8. 1987.Tom Petty. Tom Quotes. Retrieved from http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/t/tom_petty.html#ixzz1MlkV5tfI.2011. 2011-05-19
Goldstein & Patrick. "Petty Battling MCA Over Record Price Hike" In Los Angeles Times. 1981.
Holley, M., Tom Petty Worried 'Idol' Winners Will Be Eaten Alive by Music Industry. 2011. Retrived from http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2011/05/13/tom-petty-worried-idol-winners-eaten-alive-music-industry/#ixzz1Mlp51tbR 2011-05-19
Komodo Rock, "Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Announce US Summer Tour". 2008
Marsh & Dave. Tom Petty Musician 43, New York: New York Times. 1981
Newman, Melinda (2005-11-28). "Tom Petty: A Portrait Of The Artist". Billboard. Archived from the original. 2007. Retrieved from http://web.archive.org/web/20071103133707/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/feature/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001571263. 2011-05-19
http://www.president.ufl.edu/speeches/2006/09/campusCommunityCouncil.html. Retrieved 2011-05-19
Zollo, Paul. Conversations With Tom Petty: 155-157. 2005.
