A Year Ago

A year ago yesterday, life was different, but the good kind. Despite a shooting at a concert in Vegas, things were okay.

At 3:16 that day, one of my oldest and closest friends texted me the news that Tom Petty, a man I had just seen not five months before, was dead. Just like that, everything changed.

The first quarter of 2017, his music came into my life, and I began to dig deep into his extensive career and absolutely genius songwriting. Second quarter, I got the wonderful opportunity to attend one of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ 40th Anniversary shows, the one in Tampa. That was the closest they were getting to their hometown of Gainesville, and this turned out to be their final show in their birth state. Third quarter, I began saving for his promised Wildflowers tour, where he’d play the whole album, and then some, in smaller venues. When October 2 rolled around, I had $75 saved for a ticket. All that was left was to wait for an announcement.

Tom, to me, was the definition of heartland rock. While Bruce Springsteen, Bob Seger, and John Mellencamp have all touched my soul in their own ways, no one changed me like he did. His music, documentary, and life story taught me the utter importance of authenticity, honesty, and standing up for what I believe in.

These days, if I ever look back and remember when I cheated my way through something major, or when I remember how uptight I was about every little thing when I was younger, I have regrets. That’s another thing Tom taught the world, just stay calm and fight through the pain, whether it’s emotional or physical.

With all that said, my heart has especially always gone out to the amazing Heartbreakers that backed him up for 40+ years. Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench III were on Tom’s side through everything. Ron Blair, Scott Thurston, Steve Ferrone, and Stan Lynch all were of breathtaking assistance in giving the band its sound. And the great thing is that even with their fearless leader no longer on this planet, they’re all still going. Mike just joined Fleetwood Mac and is about to hit the road with them. Steve Ferrone is also the drummer in the Dire Straits Legacy, which is currently on tour, and will actually roll into St. Pete this Friday. The other guys pop up many different places, for example, Benmont still plays occasional solo shows at Largo at the Coronet in California.

If only Tom had postponed that tour and gotten the help he needed in his hip. He would probably still be here today. We, his fans, would have wanted Tom to worry about himself before entertaining us. It’s understandable to hate canceling shows, but look how many artists, old and young, have to do it today, and they’re still with us. Michael Nesmith of The Monkees had to postpone his dates with Micky Dolenz so he could have quadruple bypass heart surgery. Quadruple. Had he continued on touring instead of getting help immediately, we’d almost certainly be down two Monkees now rather than one.

Tom, if you’re reading this somewhere in the great wide open, your music will be with me as long as I live, probably even after. My children will have a great idea of who you are, and so will their children. Finally, Tom, you’ve kicked off the soundtrack of my life.

And for that, I hope the last voice I ever hear is yours.

– – Josh Dezern, 10/3/2018