Shelter

This thread is making me cry like a little baby (which I think I need to do).
Tom and his music have been part of my life for forty years: longer than my dad was, longer than my mom was, longer than nearly everyone in my life has been. My son has correctly reminded me that the music will live on forever, but somehow that fact is not making me feel better today.

I'd like to make a statement too.
I met TPATH accidentally on Vh1 on spring 2011. I was almost 15 then and it was "Into The Great Wide Open". I didn't like the song at first but I liked the video. Later I found it on YouTube, watching million times and fell in love completely.
At age 61 Tom became my new teen idol. I started discovering his music, watching videos, looking for photos. I improved my English skills by reading foreign articles with dictionary. He inspired me to making videos and writting blog, my two passions.
Unfortunately he was not popular in Poland. In my lifetime I met only two or three people who said "Yes, I know the guy named Tom Petty". It's hard to buy his records in music stores but somehow I got my CDs and even bought a vinyl this January. Also in July I heard his song on polish radio, for the first time ever! If the internet didn't exist, I would probably never explore his music and I wouldn't meet other fans. I was upset when only one European date was announced, I believed there will be more. But I'm happy that he outlived 40th anniversary (TPATH debut is probably my fav from him), finished touring and passed away surrounded by his friends and relatives.
I wish I could knew him more than only 6 years. It was a beautiful journey.
 

I feel absolutely numb with grief today.  It's been a crap year, and the events of the past few weeks/days have left me feeling lower than usual.  But as I listen to his music this morning, it helps me to remember how much life Tom put into his music.  And that will live on forever.  

I am still in a state of disbelief over this. Since I was a kid I thought about this day, knowing it would have to come. But I somehow never thought it would. Or at least not now. TP always had this air of invincibility to him. He would always be there. Others would collapse, or see their careers go away, or their reputations disintegrate, or pass away, but TP was a constant. He would always be there to keep the show moving. Like clockwork, it was the one thing you could depend on. I just can't fathom him not being there now, others eulogizing him instead of the other way around.
Obviously my thoughts go to his family — Dana, Adria, Kim, Dylan, his granddaughter — his bandmates, Mike, Benmont, Ron, Scott, Steve, Tom, Randall — and everyone else in his inner circle — Tony, Queenie, etc. — as well as all the friends and fans I've met through his music, his shows and here at MF.
But what is really hitting me right now is that the man had so much life, so much music, so much untold, untapped creativity left in him. Who know what new projects he could have completed, how much more music and joy he could have brought into our lives with more time. While a great number of artists his age were simply nostalgia acts only living off their past, TP — and of course just as importantly the Heartbreakers  — had a ton to offer. Abruptly calling the end on all that is heartbreaking. I simply cannot believe that voice is gone.

As a one time regular, I'd hate to see the place go. Facebook is some polyester retirement home for groups, and would be a sad state for you lot. I honestly kind of miss the old darker layout, but that's just me  Not relying on Facebook would be a good call, they are fickle, you can always just link out to related services if you need. Discord chat servers have become a pretty popular way to discuss things with a group of people due to the ease of setup/moderation, but that would be for more of a chat room situation, and the board layout is still the best fit for the Farm. 
Now that my son, 13, is branching out his music tastes more, he's become a Petty fan on his own (wore my old Sell Your Computer, Buy a Guitar shirt to school today in memory), I feel like trying to stick around for a bit here, see what interesting bits I missed out on over the past few years. 

somehow I can't seem to leave this place... it's comforting here right now..

“It’s shocking, crushing news,” his longtime friend and collaborator Bob Dylan said. “I thought the world of Tom. He was great performer, full of the light, a friend, and I’ll never forget him.”

I usually put my feelings into art of some kind... It's not much but this is my contribution from this restless night.

Once upon a time, there was a song. It sounded like the great wide open its title suggested. It made me want to pick up a guitar and learn how to play. I learned how to play that very song and many, many more, wrote my own songs and continued to do so ever since. I can not put into words what the work of Tom Petty means to me and for the path I've chosen in my life.
I only saw him once in concert, in 2012 in Mannheim, Germany. It was quite a trip and worth every inch of the way. He sang incredibly good, the band was tight and loose and lived up to every promise rock and roll ever gave us. I will never forget that night. Tom promised to come back, but the Heavens wanted him in their house band.
"Yeah, the bad nights take forever and the good nights don't ever seem to last."
The best of everything to you, Tom, on another Wilbury's journey. Thank you so very much. I would not be who I am today without your music.

I've spent my life traveling, spent my life free.. I could not repay all you've done to me...
Tom.. There is just no way to repay all you've done and all you've meant to me. My love for your music changed my life literally, several times. I still can't believe that you are gone now. Just like that. That this is it. There were just so much more... So much more songs, records.. so many moments..  I know we are many who will cherish your memory and your music for as long as we live, try our best to take care of your legacy and your band. Possibly the finest there was. Ben, Mike, Ron, Scott, Steve and Stan.. Randall and Leadon too.. know that we love you! My heart goes out to you all today, and to all of Tom's family, friends and fans... don't know any other way to say it, than with those same old words.. The first new day of my life on this planet that Tom is no longer here. My heart is empty right now, still so full.. of lyrics, sound and emotions. Memories. This was just all too sudden and all too unnecessary! 
Wherever you are tonight.. I wish you the best of everything..
And if you see Howie.. say hello!

Perhaps I should write something, although there are no words. Too sudden, too early. And nothing boded. Although yes, it was clear that the last tour was not as easy as usual.
 As one of my friends said after learning the news, although she was not his fan, even for her, as if a relative had died. Tom is a man, who gave me wings, thanks to him I know a lot of things, He inspired me to many important things and his music was with me and in moments of happiness and  in moments of sadness. 25 years every day he was invisibly in my life. He was my angel guardian on earth, now he will be in heaven.

I've spent my life traveling, spent my life free.. I could not repay all you've done to me...
Tom.. There is just no way to repay all you've done and all you've meant to me. My love for your music changed my life literally, several times. I still can't believe that you are gone now. Just like that. That this is it. There were just so much more... So much more songs, records.. so many moments..  I know we are many who will cherish your memory and your music for as long as we live, try our best to take care of your legacy and your band. Possibly the finest there was. Ben, Mike, Ron, Scott, Steve and Stan.. Randall and Leadon too.. know that we love you! My heart goes out to you all today, and to all of Tom's family, friends and fans... don't know any other way to say it, than with those same old words.. The first new day of my life on this planet that Tom is no longer here. My heart is empty right now, still so full.. of lyrics, sound and emotions. Memories. This was just all too sudden and all too unnecessary! 
Wherever you are tonight.. I wish you the best of everything..
And if you see Howie.. say hello!

I am so sad. I can’t sleep. Rest In Peace Tom & thank you for your music and just being you. We will all carry part of you. 
I put his lyrics to this picture. I thought they fit so well today. 

I am so thankful I got to go to this show.  It was a fantastic show and Tom was very happy!  I will love him forever!  ❤️  (((Tom)))  ❤️

This is just so unreal, the timing so uncanny.. not that it could ever be good timing.. but despite all talks of health, in no way was I prepared for this.. just.. went kinda dark here..

This is just so unreal, the timing so uncanny.. not that it could ever be good timing.. but despite all talks of health, in no way was I prepared for this.. just.. went kinda dark here..

Utterly heartbroken by this... Petty has always been my favorite musician and I can't see that ever changing. Taken from us way too soon. Such a legend, rest in peace and my thoughts are with his family. I don't remember being this shell-shocked by a day in news in a very long time. Unbelievable.

This is going to be tough. Hang on in there guys and gals. xxx

^ great! the only possible downside I see to that, is that in the name of selling such dvd/album, it will be packed with the stuff we've had on numerous live releases already.. learning to fly, I won't back down,.. still, if they remake all that is normally electric, really strip it, it could be quite fun, I suppose. on the other hand - since we are dreaming - if we are talking of a set of truly different songs - rarely or never performed originals and covers - then I am all over this, as one of the best ideas ever! 
and how about merging this idea with the wildflowers concept? an unplugged show, with additional strings, woodwind and whatever, totally focusing on released and unreleased recordings from this wildflowers sessions. could be quite atmospheric, running from wildflowers (song) to wake up time... 

Random thought... what about an Unplugged show? Release a DVD and album.

I only mentioned smoking above because I'd suggest it's possibly a contributing factor (along with age) in the reported, recent change in Tom's voice. I can't imagine it's a great habit for an ageing singer. It must impact on his breathing.

Sorry to see that none of the Farmers donated any money, but that's ok, I'm sure everyone has their own local charities they give to. So keep helping your favorite charities. The good news is that we raised $319,000.00 for the sick and disabled children. Have a great day Farmers!

I have a hunch or a feeling or call it what you will that the just concluded tour could well be the last time that Tom steps out onto a stage. I think it could be the end of that aspect of his musical career journey. That makes me kinda sad but also grateful that I got to see TPATHB live prior to 2016 at the latter part of their career when they were at the top of their game. I do think that the change in the timbre of Toms voice live in 2016 and 2017 has had an impact in terms of the vibe of the band. I remember Mike saying that when they were putting the live anthology box set together that having gone through the myriad of live concert audio down the years that when Toms vocal was good then the rest of the band were actually feeding off that and consequently that when the vocal was good the rest of the band picked up on that and were really on it in their performance's as a result. For better or worse all the pressure was on Tom and all that that entailed...a lot of that self imposed of course in terms of control....but none the less a huge factor in the bands dynamic and live show playing.
I do hope the band continue to record songs together even if that means sporadic infrequent releases of little nuggets from the present or the past on Tom Petty radio. 
I suppose what I'm saying here is that there is a dignified way to bow out of the live show limelight and this tour just finished may well be the full stop. Some bands no matter how much they are loved and respected can go on too long on the live circuit of big arenas especially...Fleetwood Mac...The Who..Paul McCartney great and all as he is his live singing voice is shot no matter how great the songs and musicianship is.
I wouldn't want to see Tom go down that road where it becomes difficult to do it to the high standards both he and the dedicated fans have been used to down the years. This 2017 tour and 2016 Mudcrutch live for me have been a bitter sweet watch from a distance. From a live stand point i would respectfully say that maybe Tom has done all he can do at this point in time in terms of live shows. That may not be a popular view but it is a genuine one and I'm not looking to darken the mood or anything...it's been on my mind and hope I've succeeded in saying it respectfully. 
As a musical artist Tom is far from finished...I hope he continues to write and record his songs and share them with us all.  As a songwriter his creativity shows no signs of slowing down in my eyes. Here's to the future. 

Ha ha, it's theoretical all right and I know the odds of any of that happening are slim to none, at least in this world. Stop here before I share how I think things will more likely go with TPATH.
Most likely All The Rest/Re-Tracked Wildflowers will happen.
I doubt they'll mount another large tour for Wildflowers, more likely a one-off show or a Mudcrutch like tour or residency.
No public rehearsals, nor club sessions nor live online broadcast dipping into their back catalog.
Any residencies will most likely be more of the same, a few great deep cuts like when they played When The Time Comes or Nightwatchman, a mix of typical covers and the usual wrap-up. 
Tom does seem to have perfectionist issues, even down to the same tired lines every night. I'd like to be wrong because the above suggestions would be fun for both band and audience but going by the past, it's doubtful. 
Of your list All The Rest/Wildflowers tour have the most chance of happening. But...what kind of tour would it be? If Tom didn't think the places they played would handle Wildflowers than what is he aiming for? And will he bring strings along? And mount another tour so soon after this one? But at the same time, would it be wise to put it off too much longer at this point? I could see them playing a few select shows for Wildflowers and that's it. I doubt they'll ever do another large tour like the 40th again. 
I don't know where I read it, tp-nation or the steve hoffman boards but someone suggested that "reading between the lines" both Mike and Benmont were tired from the tour. Could very well be, I don't know. Certainly not with Benmont's playing, he seemed particularly inspired at some points.
But enough gloom! Live concert broadcast online where Tom says Fuck it! and embraces Fault Lines even if they mess up the timing, letting the band be loose during rehearsals, clubhouse sessions and basically shaking up the perfectionist approach from the comfort of the clubhouse would be a lot of fun!
cheers