Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Runnin' Down a Dream

It took awhile to put together the second and final part of this 4 hour documentary. Part 1 is here.

1. Tom Petty’s first solo album Full Moon Fever caused a lot of hard feelings with the some of the Heartbreakers. Benmont Tench (with Mike Cambell, the only 2 guys who’ve been with Petty since the early 70s) visited the FMF recording sessions and said thought the song playing was terrible. “That was ‘Free Fallin’’”, Petty says with a grin.

2. “I Won’t Back Down” has great lyrics about persistence and dedication, much more applicable 15+ years down the road.

3. "Mary Jane’s Last Dance" was mostly written during the Full Moon Fever era, but completely when Petty was contractually obligated to deliver a Greatest Hits album.

4. Drummer Stan Lynch comes off as a petulant punk, showing off how rich he is and how disgusted (jealous) he was with Petty’s new friends (the Wilburys). He also disliked the new way of recording (which made him feel like a “cover” drummer). He forced Petty to fire him in 1994. Petty is gracious discussing Lynch, acknowledging Lynch’s subsequent success with acts such as Tim McGraw and the Eagles.

5. Lynch’s replacement Steve Ferrone is a better drummer, steadier and more relaxed. His first track, “You Don’t Know How It Feels” has the best percussion of any Petty song.

6. Dave Grohl was a substitute drummer on a Petty SNL appearance in 1994. He has nothing but admiration and awe for Petty on the doc.

7. Bassist Ron Blair was replaced by Howie Epstein in 1982. In 1993, Blair joked on camera he would rejoin the band in 2001. After Epstein died of a heroin overdose in 2002, Blair did indeed rejoin the group (after a recent appearance with the group for a Rock N Roll Hall of Fame induction).

8. 2002’s “The Last DJ” has sentiments I completely agree with. It attacks the soulless music industry and shallow "popular" singers who are only in it for fame and money. Favorite lyrics: As we celebrate mediocrity/All the boys upstairs want to see/How much you'll pay for/What you used to get for free

9. Petty is very humorous throughout. While discussing how addictive drugs are, he jokes to director Bogdanovich, “You don’t have any on you, do you?” It’s reminiscent of the cigarette smoker at the old folks home in Citizen Kane, whether Petty intended it or not.

10. Thanks again to lawyer for providing tickets to the Tom Petty concert earlier this year.