Runnin' Down A Dream

My memory of Tom Petty goes back to my first memories of rock radio. His brand of rock seemed to be pure and simple. It wasn't punk, pop or metal. It did have elements of pop, folk and rock though. He adapted through the years but never seemed to change. He stayed current with the times and never really seemed dated throughout the 70's and 90's.

 

In retrospect he seemed a product of Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and The Beatles.If he seemed to "sell out" it's hard to tell when. His music seemed at once the same but yet never dated. He'd mingle with the classic rock icons like George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison but yet seem hip and stand alone on his own accord. 

The sixties had Dylan. The seventies had Springsteen. The eighties had Tom Petty. Tom had an ear for southern rock but yet had the sound of a mainstream rock performer. He was an American pop artist that stayed cool throughout his career. He was successful without appearing to have "sold out". 

Presently I can see how artists like Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen had influenced him. His songs seemed to have a personal yet universal touch.