Some songs find a place in our minds. When we hear them, they evoke memories of a particular time or place. When I was a kid, I went surfing one day with Tom Petty’s “Runnin Down a Dream” stuck in my head. And in the years since, each time I’ve heard the song, I’ve had a flashback of glassy waves. The animated music video didn’t do that song justice because it meant something completely different to me.
Tom Petty died last week and I felt the same way about many of the tributes to him. People knew him as a great singer and songwriter, which he was. But he was much more than that: also a music historian and an interpreter of American cultural history. SiriusXM Radio has custody of some of his best work in that area and I hope they release it to the public.
Beginnings
When I was a teenager, I thought Tom Petty was old. I’d heard most of his songs, which were quickly becoming staples of classic rock radio. And yet, he wasn’t “cool” to me because he was almost as old as my parents. I was listening to much trashier stuff, so I was not smart enough to go out and buy a Tom Petty album.
And then came “Mary Jane’s Last Dance,” which was an instant hit. Tom Petty was in his 40s when he recorded it, yet the song was immediately relevant to kids in high schools and colleges. People smoked marijuana, but it was not prevalent in public discussion the way it is today. Petty’s song never actually mentioned the drug, but there was a double entendre. To some, it was a song about a girl. The music video starred the lovely Kim Basinger and opened with her dead in a morgue; it was strange enough that young people like me thought it was pretty cool.
For many years, that was Tom Petty to me. I enjoyed hearing the occasional TP song on a classic rock station, but for the most part, I didn’t pay much attention to his music.
Buried Treasure
That changed when I bought a car which had a subscription to SiriusXM satellite radio. This is a subscription-based radio service and it has many more amazing channels than the free local ones. Nevertheless, the subscription costs money, and I’m not the type of person to pay it unless the content blows me away. That was when I discovered Tom Petty’s channel and, more importantly, his ‘Buried Treasure’ show.
Creative Commons via Flickr by Mark Runyon, Concerttour.net.
The singer, songwriter, and musician Tom Petty died last week. While I enjoyed his music, it was Tom Petty the music historian who I came to respect the most. His ‘Buried Treasure’ show on SiriusXM radio was one of the best musical educations a fan could have. Here was someone at the top of his profession, with more money that he could ever spend and enough fame to do whatever he wanted. He chose to devote significant time and throw his passion into educating others on the radio about the music and traditions which influenced modern music.
He played records from his own personal collection on the show. Listening was a rare treat. I learned so much that I hadn’t known before about early American blues, the so-called British invasion (not just the Beatles), rockabilly, funk, and whatever music Tom Petty felt like sharing. Not only did we get songs from little-known artists whose work has been buried in archives; he also explained the context for each song and how it influenced other songwriters and bands. He even interviewed interesting people on the show from time to time.
It’s fortunate that he had a long and productive career, but unfortunate that he can no longer continue to share his depth of knowledge with that audience.
Tom Petty Should Be Remembered for More Than His Own Music
Since his death, there have been many tributes to the singer and musician. This is my remembrance of TP the music historian. RIP, professor, and thanks for giving me a deeper appreciation for the tunes that shaped your life and shaped American music.
SiriusXM radio created a classic with ‘Buried Treasure’. They own the material and have every right to profit from it. However, I call on them to make both the music list and the host’s commentary available to a broader audience. As Indiana Jones might have said, “It belongs in a museum”. Humanity would be richer if people could hear the passion Tom Petty had for real music.
I met Tom when I was 14. I've met a lot of celebrities and most were terrible, but he was awesome and gracious. I'll miss him.
I can imagine; i mean, from how he behaved during the Travelling Wilbury's time - well, I sensed he was gracious.
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I'm not a big concert goer, in fact I can probably count the number of concerts I've ever been to on one hand. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are the only band that I've ever seen in concert more than once. I even drove from Ohio to New Jersey to see them live. Best experiences of my life. His music will always be a huge part of who I am. Every time me or my cousin are having a hard time we text each other 'I won't back down'. Sorry for the ramble, losing TP is a big loss, just grateful that I got to experience his magic.
What a great story. It's awesome that you went to those shows and have found the music so inspirational.
Growing up in Gainesville Fl. where Tom Petty made his debut we listened to him constantly. Their are a small group of bands that are what I call southern rock and roll. Tom Petty was our way out of a crazy time in our lives. He will forever be missed. 🐓🐓
That was where it all started for him. The Gator crowd's tribute was quite moving. It's great to follow someone local who makes it big; I've seen a couple of other great bands before they became famous and always continued to root for them.
@donkeypong Thank you for reminding me that we are all "Runnin' Down a Dream"...... I agree Mary Jane's Last Dance is a Great Song. I never got to see Tom Live in Concert. But I have seen some very Good Live Shows in my Life. My Mom even took me to see the Beatles at Dodger Stadium when I was a kid. Us Old Guys are few and far between on STEEMIT, but I am glad I am here.....
Wow, you're in the Beatles club! Glad you are on Steemit also. :)
I am Grateful everyday for STEEMIT........
Here is one little upvote in a sea of people you may never see.
Still, l must take a moment and thank you for writing this lovely post.
The moment I heard Tom had left the planet my heart sank we all loved not only his music but the man who played the music.
There is a fun Netflx documentary about Tom I started and decided to wait to watch the rest when my husband could watch with me. He is the kind of person you want to share not only his music but his life with others. I agree with Tom on all the views on life he had that I have come across one being how dangerous television is ... "no moral boarometer whatsoever."
Great post @donkeypong if I had bots they would all vote for you too.
Yes, some of his views were very stark and I agreed with most of them also. Thanks for a great comment and I hope you get a chance to watch the documentary soon.
Reading this I felt like I was with Tom all through his life.
You did Justice to it.
Yeah, Tom maybe dead but his song lives on forever in your heart.
I found this quite interesting!
It's a brand new morning here.
great
I think exactly the same. A wonderful post.
Wow great post @donkeypong! Just a couple of days ago I was trying to get my girlfriend to watch Jerry McGuire. When Tom Cruise gets to keep Cushman as his main client and FREE FALLING plays in his car... Seriously who dosnt feel warm inside after that? Still my 'happy moment' in the whole movie haha. You had me at Tom Petty :)
Haha. I forgot the song was in that movie. Another moment anchored by a song.
Tom Petty Gold scattered all throughout peoples varied experiences. That's what great music does aye :)
At some point during my formative years I thought that music was my life and that I couldn't live without it. Well i can't make that kind of statement now because things have changed. My priorities are now different. However each time i listened to such songs especially of the late 80s and 90s I do shake my head in wonder and amazement as to how good music use to be back then. Thanks for this beautiful reminder.
Every word of your comment is spot on and true for me also. I hope we keep real music alive.
Often musicians have lasting contribution that reaches far past the limits of music. So too is Tom Petty. Music is a universal language. He spoke it well. God rest his soul. Good read. Thanks.
Oddly enough for me Tom Petty reminds me of my high school PE class. We had a copy of Tom Petty's greatest hits and it used to play while we ran laps around the gym and such. It was always Tom Petty, three days a week for 2 years of my formative education. I never liked his music until then, but for some reason hearing it over and over again didn't get on my nerves as most other artists would. It grew on me instead.
Never listened to his sirus show, will have to investigate. These past few years have really seen all of my musical idols pass. It's hell to get old. At least artists like Tom Petty have left the world with a soundtrack while we race there.
That's a good memory also. His songs are straight up, honest American rock. While I can get sick of listening to them after a while, they never get annoying or grate on me either.
Whoa, gotta say I'm looking forward to listening to more of his BURIED TREASURE shows ♦♦ I can sense (from WHAT U Say ) that Tom's knowledge is extensive... an as an interpreter of American cultural history, he certainly is valuable (or should i say 'invaluable' ).
And since he plays some stuff from his own personal collection on the show, it'll be even more interesting!
I'm interested in Rockabilly, the 'British Invasion' & the blues ♦♦
I 've listened to just 1 episode of thus far ♦♦ Am glad that he delves into the context for each song, too.
My favorite T. Petty song is the one assoc. with a YT video -- "Don't Come Around Here No More" (Alice in WONDERLAND featured)
Thanx for your cool post ♥
Legend !
Great read.Big upvote from a little fish!
Myself I discovered Tom Petty just a little and probably I have just scratched the surface but what I heard was something that always made we feel like the little boy I was long time a go or that nitwit I was as a teenager.
It's great he gets all that tribute but it's saddening to know such an awesome musician is gone. But we all know his legacy will live forever!!
Love and Respect
Hey ! I am pretty agree with your statement ,
when a song stuck in my head. And in the years since, each time I’ve heard the song, I’ve had a flashback of glassy waves.
Its remind me the my childhood memories.
Reading this post made me feel very happy .Thanks for the post
Great tribute to the great singer from a great steemian's. I come to know much about him from your post, 40years in Music Industry a great contribution. Thanks for sharing such a great soul whose works inspired the world. Thanks.
Nice post I was also a music lover, and a desperate singer on my time hahahhaa lol. but music is always on my everyday life.
I have been to three rock concerts and the two best were Tom petty. His 40th anniversary tour was amazing and its amazing to think that I saw him alive mier months ago. I am 13 and although I did not live through his entire career he was still the soundtrack to my life. Thanks Tom.
I have never heard of Tom Petty and his songs. But I'm sorry! The world loses creative people. Any creative work will certainly be remembered. May the works of Tom Petty be immortal in the hearts of his fans.
I guess those born in the 20 century understands what good music is all about, unlike what we have as music these days.
I never knew him until now. And i had to look up the track "Runnin Down a Dream" from my musicool app. Very surprised i found it too.
Now i understand your fondness for him. An oldie but a goodie. Thanks for the share.
Glad you had a chance to look him up. Definitely better than most of the junk these days, though there is always good music if one is willing to dig beyond the obvious stuff.
Exactly. Just too bad that out of the many there are just few to be sorted out..
Tom Petty was a treasure, a true musical genius. He was one of the best, and most prolific songwriters ever. A true loss to the world. At least he left behind many amazing songs for the world to enjoy. Being born in 1960, Tom Petty came along just as I was really getting into music. Thanks for your post.
Thanks for your comment. Yes, his songwriting skills were amazing also.
You're welcome.
That's some fast research. :) I've seen that HOF concert also - good stuff.
Thank you for sharing, his songs always good for all times. great post.
Certainly don't make them like this anymore, if you ask me.
Your post has refreshed my feelings towards the music of the era.
Cheers buddy
Great tribute dude. I will keep my eyes open for any news on the Sirius channel and will follow you in case that happens, so don’t forget to update.
You might want to check out KPIG radio which still broadcasts (and streams) from the Santa Cruz CA area. I’d bet good money that there’s a lot of overlap in this radio station and what TP was curating.
Thanks for this beautiful post! I love it! Especially as I'm a songwriter too. It's nice to see the effect music has on ppl :)
What a great tribute,so heart touch l couldn't stop reading..Had to even read it twice...such a great singer.well done @donkeypong ...Tom petty will be very proud of you.
I played the crap out of that tape "Mary Jane's last dance" and for all you kids out there this was the bomb back in the day.
I loved my Walkman! There was the radio one. If you were really cool, you had the cassette player. And then CDs a little later.
Man, I'm completely on your side of the matter. There are some things, some entries into the big record that is culture, that should be shared by everyone instead of hoarded and locked away in a basement and left to collect dust.
Sometimes, it's the Vatican's secret archive and others it's a masterful artist's journey into american music history.
I wish I had developed an interest in Petty before he passed away. Same thing happened to me with David Bowie, to be honest, and he's currently my musical hero. To be remembered - What a reward for a life of creativity!
That's happened to me before also, but the hype when one of them dies sometimes provides a good push to get introduced to their music.
Legend 🎉🎉🎉
I love music too
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"Music is probably the only real magic I have encountered in my life. There is not some trick involved with it. It's pure and it's real. It moves, it heals, it communicates and does all these incredible things"
So did Tom Petty.....
RIP
Excellent post :)
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i like very much this music !!!Thank you for sharing!
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very cool and nice to hear, thank's @donkeypong
Very good @donkeypong. . . Thankyou for sharing
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His songs brought goose pimples to my skin. Didn't know him all this while until the time of his death. I had to listen to some of his tracks and I felt the way I feel when I listen to my county music in the dark especially when am gloomy. His songs are light to the soul. I love good music a lot but Tom's music has stuck like I have always known him. Am glad you shared this here @donkeypong.
Aweseome list of videos and songs. I had actually forgotten, unfortunately until now, how many of Tom's songs had imprinted indelibly on my psyche. He seemed like an awesome guy.
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wow thanks to lots of your infomation and video..nice post..
that what it should be done
It is a Great tribute to the great singer from a great steemian. So reading this I felt like I was with Tom all through his life.
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A great post. I can enjoy it. Thank you @donkeypong
the legendary musicians who have fans all over the world, their songs are very good at hearing and have quality,,,,,thanks @donkeypong
wow great post ..and amazing video....,
That songs are belong to soul of pople and will be forever in our heart.
Thanks Tom!
thanks for your this post. it is great. this is dance with great song.
100% like and resteem