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SingsInFrench

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  4. Posted · Edited by SingsInFrench · Report reply

    Some good reading:

    Life Out Here: Please do be Petty

    By BRET KOFFORD, Columnist | Posted Yesterday

    I was too cool in school, and for years afterward, for Tom Petty.

    Petty was one of the biggest rock stars in the world, therefore too mainstream for my tastes. I was into alternative rock bands such as The Jam, The Clash and X.

    Sure, I liked Tom Petty’s music, appreciated the craft, the spirit, the engaging melodies, the signature ringing-guitar, clipped-vocal approach, but I kept it on the down-low, even if his lovely chin-up, spurned-lover lament “You Got Lucky” helped me through some deeply depressed months after I was unceremoniously dumped.

    What’s really sad about all that is I knew Tom Petty and I liked Tom Petty. I didn’t know him well, but I met him a few times.

    He would come into the used record store where I worked, Moby Disc in Sherman Oaks, and look through the racks for music, sometimes asking staff for opinions. He mostly perused the old blues and country. He knew more about those genres than we did, but he asked us what we thought anyway.

    He couldn’t have been nicer, particularly considering he was, after all, Tom Petty, international rock superstar. Other music-loving stars regularly came into the store to browse, including Cybil Shepherd and Sherman Hemsley, but the employees liked Tom Petty the most. At least I did.

    He tried to go undetected, but that’s not easy when you are a skeletal, blond rock star with a startling unique voice, both in singing and speaking. We tried to not make it a big deal when Tom — we flattered ourselves by calling him Tom, as if we were his pals — came into the store, but we loved having a famous person, and a nice one at that, in our establishment.

    That is a roundabout way of saying I no longer care about being cool and disaffected. I recently purchased a best of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers CD. The rest is history, American music history. And I may soon be history if I keep bopping instead of driving when that album is playing in my car stereo.

    Tom Petty, simply, is one of America’s seminal rock musicians/songwriters. The rap against him always has been that he is too overtly influenced by Dylan and The Byrds. That’s like saying a baseball player is too influenced by Joe DiMaggio and Willie Mays. Could you ask for better influences?

    The fact is Petty synthesized his influences into a sound all his own, which was tacitly acknowledged by other all-time music greats George Harrison, Roy Orbison, Jeff Lynne and Dylan himself when they formed, with Petty, the Traveling Wilburys super-group.

    Petty, accompanied by his longtime Heartbreakers sidemen, guitarist Mike Campbell and keyboardist Benmont Tench, has recorded songs imprinted forever in America’s musical memory: “American Girl,” “Breakdown,” “Refugee,” “Free Fallin’” “I Need to Know,” “Here Comes My Girl,” “Learning to Fly,” “Into the Great Wide Open.” We could go on and on.

    My favorite Petty anthem is “Listen to Her Heart,” which Campbell opens with one of music’s most beloved guitar riffs, followed by Petty singing/whining, “You think you’re gonna to take her away/With your money and your cocaine.” (Internet wiseacres insist Petty is singing, Hank Hill-style, “You think you’re gonna to take her away/With your money and your propane.)

    Petty, a legend at 63, still makes music. When he releases an album (it’s been three years but he reportedly has one ready) the reviews are good to great and sales are strong. He also hosts “Tom Petty’s Buried Treasures” on Sirius XM, which is the best radio show — now radio station — ever.

    Loving Tom Petty has always been cool. For a long time I just wasn’t cool enough to know it.

    Bret Kofford teaches writing at

    San Diego State University-Imperial Valley campus.

    He can be reached at Kofford@roadrunner.com

    http://www.ivpressonline.com/opinion/columns/life-out-here-please-do-be-petty/article_b0e58542-25b0-11e3-b603-001a4bcf6878.html?mode=jqm#.UkMDbLRWG6w.facebook

  13. Posted · Report reply

    Our favorite group is on top!

    Defend the Rock: 6 of the Best NFL Super Bowl Halftime Performances

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    In light of the NFL’s latest announcement naming Bruno Mars as the headliner for the 2014 Super Bowl halftime show. We’re taking a look at the previous performances from our favorite rockers that have graced the infamous halftime stage. Let’s get started without further ado here are 6 of the best NFL Super Bowl Halftime performances…

    Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – Super Bowl XLII, 2008

    Tom Petty and the Hearbreakers played hits like “American Girl”, “I Won’t Back Down” and “Free Fallin’.” The crowd sang along and was really ecstatic just to see Petty and his crew play. Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers do a great job at letting their rock music speak for itself landing them a spot on this list.

    The Who – Super Bowl XLIV, 2010

    The Who played a great selection of songs like “Pinball Wizard”, “Baba O’Riley”, “Who Are You”, “See Me, Feel Me”, and “Won’t Get Fooled Again.” There was definitely no shortage of windmill guitar strikes by Townshend, and known for their showmanship from the start, The Who certainly did not disappoint on stage.

    The Rolling Stones – Super Bowl XL, 2006

    The Rolling Stones started off the show with “Start Me Up” followed up by “Rough Justice”, and ending it with “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” There was no shortage of hip thrusts from Mick and like always Keith was the epitome of cool. They left no stone unturned and truly rocked the stadium.

    Prince – Super Bowl XLI, 2007

    Prince really out did himself with this magical performance and was even accompanied by a 100 piece marching band from Florida A&M University. Prince started off with his version of Queen’s “We Will Rock You”, then Played “Let’s Go Crazy”, “Baby I’m a Star”, his version of “Proud Mary”, paid tribute to Jimi Hendrix with “All Along the Watchtower”, “Best of You”, and ended the show with “Purple Rain.” He truly captivated his audience with sheer talent leaving the audience in awe.

    Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band – Super Bowl XLIII, 2009

    Bruce and the E Street Band played a great selection of songs like “Tenth Avenue Freeze –Out”, “Born To Run”, “Working on a Dream”, and “Glory Days.”This man knows how to put on a show and they call him The Boss for a reason. He brought his working class charm and charisma and electrified everyone in the audience.

    Paul McCartney – Super Bowl XXXIX, 2005

    Paul McCartney played hits from the Beatles like “Drive My Car”, “Get Back”, “Live and Let Die”, and “Hey Jude.” He even used a large runway to project video making the show entertaining for all, whether you were high up in the nose bleed seats or if you were right up front.

    We can’t forget to give an honorable mention to Stevie Wonder for his performance in Super Bowl XXXIII, and to Slash for his performance in Super Bowl XLV. Do you have a memorable or favorite Super Bowl performance? Let us know what they are in the comments section below, on Facebook, or on Twitter. Don’t forget to watch the full playlist of these videos on YouTube or by clicking play below.

    http://blog.tributapparel.com/music/defend-rock-6-best-nfl-super-bowl-halftime-performances/

  15. Posted · Report reply

    I'm having my first mani/pedi today. I'm using the spa gift certificate my kids gave me for Mothers Day. Having my eyebrows waxed and arched too. I'm doing a total overhaul of this 51-year-old body. Already had a facial, hair dyed and cut, and my teeth whitened. It's a lot of work to look good! Don't hate me because I'm beautiful! ;) LOL!

  17. Posted · Report reply

    I love all the above (except the hunting!) I especially love the fall colors, the smell of the leaves outside in the fresh air, and I love getting ready for Halloween! I've got my decorations up, but I'm disappointed that apparently we don't get trick-or-treaters here in my apt. building. Hopefully, I'll get to go along when Miles goes trick-or-treating. I can't wait! I miss those days of my kids dressing up in costume. Oh, yeah, apparently there is a Halloween party here in the building. It's been many, many years since I dressed up, though. I'll have to give it some thought.

  18. Posted · Report reply

    I had rituals to ward off bad luck as a girl. I was careful not to step on sidewalk cracks (and my mom never broke her back!) I never walked under a ladder, but I love cats, and always enjoyed it if a black one crossed my path. I'm really not superstitious anymore. The 13th seems like a good day to me whether a Friday or any other day. :)

  25. Posted · Report reply

    Rick, I'm ashamed to say I still haven't dug out my record player to listen to your LP. It's on my "Absolutely must do soon to-do list." I'm so very happy for you and your recording partner! It would be incredible if you recorded a follow-up album, and booked more live gigs! I couldn't make the gig you just had, but Chicago is so close, I would love to attend the next one! Congrats! Congrats!

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