Tom Petty used to be called the "poor man's" Bruce Springsteen. Almost 30 years down the road from when he burst onto the scene with "American Girl", it's more appropriate to call Springsteen the "poor man's" Petty.
It's hard to argue that any rocker has been more consistent, and truer to the roots and essence of rock 'n roll than Tom Petty. And he's done it while shifting stylistic and retaining what's his greatest about him, leaving a lengthy trail of hit songs and classic rock songs along the way.
The Heartbreakers have been one of the best bands, and least affected by member changes. After well over 30 years together, there is not a tighter outfit to be found.
Today the TP and clan play the Super Bowl half time show. In honor, here are a couple of great vids from princes of rock.
Saving Grace from Petty's last, and excellant disk, didn't get the airplay it deserved. It's a great lyric coupled with a churning Bo Diddley-esque groove.
An early live clip, from TV show the Midnight Special in 1978, doing their current hit at the time, American Girl
Classic Petty - The Waiting
The tripped out vid for the Jeff Lynne produced Don't Come Around Here Anymore
TP and boys rocking out at the Fillmore on Bo Diddley's Mona with the legend hisself!
Early on Petty got compared to the Byrds and Roger McGuinn particularly. Many thought "American Girl" was McGuinn when it came out. Here they tear through the Byrd classic So You Wanna Be a Rock 'n Roll Star
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