Shelter

..there was no shows to sell out? Right, and that was part of my point. Given perhaps different levels of popularity to begin with, their no-show in Europe in the mid 90s (when they were BIG) and the 00s (when they still had a considerably passionate and big fan base), obviously didn't help their over all "fame" over here. In the same era, other artists figured that live shows and swag was a must to keep in the game, comercially, since singles (and records sales in general, radio impact and so on) was dwindling. And TPATH then, quite rightfully, calculated they could keep busy and well paid enough to stay on the US circuit all those years. The home market was big enough, so to speak, and as such it was growing even bigger (comparatively) for each tour... a self fulfilling profecy, that way. But even in this light, even without much radio play, around here TPAH stayed quite popular, kept selling records in numbers and so on. A comparative stronghold. (I also lived many years in CA, and frankly TPATH wasn't THAT much more "known" there.. haha.. oh, well.) Not that the 2012 tour was that key to keeping things this way, but I still feel sorry for you guys in Spain who missed the fun in 2012. As I am even more sorry for the Aussies, who never got a TPATH show since Bob took the guys with him there some 32 years ago - A life time, or even more, in rock'n'roll.

^ Interesting. Must add, since I'm "relatively old" and since it's been a while since last it was brought up and there seems to be many younger fans here now and many Europeans too, that in big parts of Scandinavia (Europe) Tom Petty was a major thing, with a big following. Of course this was a bit mellowed by the lack of hit singles and tours here in the last decade or two.. chicken or egg, I know... (The 2012 tour was ecstatically received, but it was the first and only time in 20 years TPATH toured here). But still, they were big and sold well. In the 88-92 era, I would even say they were huge. Then of course.. it's an old love affair.. Scandinavia was the second market they toured over here (after UK) and the second market they broke commercially in general (again, after UK, with US actually just coming in third at really discovering them.) Somewhat simplified you may say that until the 1979 release of DTT, TPATH's main markets were UK, Sweden and parts of West Germany. May seem strange today, when all is said and done and the TP legacy carries such deep California vibes and is truly such genuinely American treasure. But of course.. musically they always were and that's also why so many of us love them! Just saying.

1. Up north, Europe 2. 1989. In the trunk of an old Volkswagen. (Although warmed up to the idea since 1982.) 3. Frodo, Sam, Bilbo. Oh.. you said hobbies? Probably, yeah. Most of my hobbies run at 33ish or 45 rpm. 4. I chase my own shadow at times. Scares me half to death. I just won't give up.

As for advice on where to dive in.. I'd say start from the beginning.. Then just never finish. More presicely, give each album at least a week of exclusive focus. All of them deserve to be known individually. Then, at the end, your mind will be sufficiently blown, you will have a fair idea of the topography and how to move on in a fashion that suits you, where and when to revisit, repeat and rejoice in an endless pattern. Simplest thing, really.

Oh my soul. Man.. what I'd give to party with Jerry Lee, in real mean down south style. Then I too would've sported such great eyeballs of fire, I'm sure...

Welcome to the boards! Another "Eddie Rebel" about to enter the great adventure. Lucky you!

"We have sunk low with him and allowed our discourse to be stripped of civility." unknown insider

For your listening pleasure! This is one fantastic show that I recently discovered! (I just realized that I was in town that day back in 2009, but then I had no idea this awesome stuff was going down.. too bad.) Benmont come on around 51 min, but this is really a great show straight through.

Well.. I for one, have mixed emotions about this. Seeing how I love Stevie and Mike and most all they do, how I enjoy much of the FM back cataloge (among which is certainly these two songs!) and how I think Neil is doing an ok job with this premiere... I don't know. Somehow I still don't think it works quite well.. Not sure.. May be just a display some subtle shakyness (certainly stiffness on Neil's part) from being part of this quite historic occasion, televised and all.. may be chemistry, as mentioned.. Time will tell. I really want to find this natural. For now ,I am thrilled about the sound and vibe they created for the last minute or so of The Chain. And I am eager to hear some new material. (Weren't they supposed to premiere some?! Did I dream that?) Will be interesting to listen closely to the sound and style to come. (After all, I haven't heard a really great new FM song in some 30 years or so.) Something tells me, Mike could give any new stuff a very special slant. I really hope he will. Unless he can become really integral, I don't think this gig is the type of creative dimension that fits his touch, so to speak. For now he feels somewhat "added on" - sorry! Although, he does keep up with them perfectly, he rides along so to speak, in style of legends - man, is he cool. His trademark of serving the song with just enough little details, all intact, perhaps even slightly underplayed! Then it happens - he even breaks through, towards the end and he kinda single handedly takes it all away, to a level that to my mind closes in on perfection.. It's just.. when he does, he leaves the other behind a bit. It all feels a bit odd to me at this point. There is something about chemistry, probably.. that will come in time.. but there is also something about.. "gunk".. And does FM even have that?!

Great stuff! Keep it coming. All this will make for a great alternative playlist. Also, in addition to my own post above: Howie's posthumously released tape collection is actually now on Spotify, for all to hear. Lucky all!

Only one way to go, people. Come out of the Woodward!

This

What is the most unknown, overlooked or severely underrated record that is really fantastic, in your opinion?

Oh, I see. Thanks for asking, then. What I meant was merely that the people who hasn't already done so, may be in for a treat checking out the stuff "our boys" contributed to various compilations, tributes and so on.. Personal favourites are the No Nukes album (well, call that anti tribute... although Cry To Me is on Playback, so not literally a rarity that way), the Good Rocking Tonight album (tribute to Sun records), Goin' Home album (tribute to Fats Domino) and so on.. there is more.. and I leave for you the utter joy to discover what songs they do! And. Not that it's a tribute, but still it kinda is... full of guests.. just search your nearest online tube for "Carl Perkins Go Cat Go full album" and find TPATH in several places, among which are some sadly neglected, overlooked and all out forgotten vocals by Tom. Mean stuff, if you ask me. Didn't mean to make so much of this, but since you asked... Enjoy!

Well.. I DID realize that! But sadly there was nothing I could do for the poor... oh.. you meant.. ah! OK. Other than that, I would like to add to this thread - even if it may be a bit beside the point - that most all of the VA artist tribute albums where TPATH contributed songs, are well worth checking out. If just for those TPATH songs. Some of those studio covers are among their finest recordings! Especially fine are the tributes to Sun records, Fats Domino and Chuck Berry... but there's more...

Bella Donna?

Call me naive, or old fashioned, but I'm planning on going down to the record store to fetch the thing upon release.

Wonderful! Thank you so much for posting! Great job, indeed! And I must admit never thinking too much of the original version of this song, but this take sure adds something. (Just me, or does it carry a certain.. Unchained vibe? I could so hear a Johnny Cash version sounding something down this line..) Quite special experience, this! Again, thanks!

Let's hope...

23% rock, and... 25% hip hop? Really??

Yeah.. that's not asking too much, I think.

So basically, what you're saying is that.. California's been treating you mean, you hope it will fall into the sea...? Either way, sorry to hear about your injury!

Trivia: That picture is used, superimposed, for the cover to the King' s Highway and You And I Will Meet Again CD singles.

Wt.. Sorry for double posting/quoting. Not sure how that happened.