A Tip of Our Tophat to Tom
A massively influential artist, his fingerprints are everywhere in music
On this, the 7th anniversary of Tom Petty’s untimely passing, we take a moment to recognize his massive and ongoing effect on music across genres — rock, country, folk, and beyond.
Working with legends themselves like George Harrison, Johnny Cash, Del Shannon, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, and Stevie Nicks, while also fronting perhaps the greatest rock band ever assembled, Petty not only held his own, but brought out some of the other artists’ best work.
His music continues to inspire others and bring joy, featured most recently in the show Bad Monkey (AppleTV) and on the Petty Country album, in addition to being played everywhere you go.
He was a music video trailblazer, a unique hybrid of Southern and California rock, a songwriter par excellence, and a personality like no other. From animated series to sold out shows to Super Bowl halftime extravaganzas to a simple cup of coffee, everything he touched seemed all the better for it.
We miss you, Tom. We tip our hats to you and everything you did.
And we will continue to keep the flame alive!