Tom Petty: Every Album, Every Song

Book excerpt: At the Hollywood Bowl, California on 25 September 2017 the final song of the final concert of the Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers 40th Anniversary tour was, almost inevitably, 'American Girl', the classic from the bands 1976 debut album. Seven days later Thomas Earl Petty was dead. When Petty died, we lost one of the great singer-songwriters of our era. His songs touch people of all ages and possess a timeless quality which will ensure they will live on for years to come. Petty's music speaks of freedom and rebellion, of doing what you want to do, of not compromising your integrity, and, fundamentally, of speaking the truth. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers evolved from a fledgling rock'n'roll band from Gainesville, Florida into becoming an American music institution, being incorporated into the Hollywood Rock 'n' Roll Hall Of Fame in March 2002. Most people have heard the big hits; 'Freefallin', 'Refugee', et al. But there is so much more to enjoy in Petty's extensive back catalogue. This retrospective delves into every aspect of Petty's 40-year recording career album by album and song by song to uncover the extraordinary consistency and quality of this much missed musician.