Conversations With Tom Petty

by Paul Zollo
Omnibus Press
ConversationsWithTomPetty.com

"Conversations with Tom Petty" is a rare commodity in the world of music tomes. It is not a sensationalized three-ring circus like Motley Crue’s "The Dirt" (fun as that was) or gossip-y self-aggrandizement like Boy George’s "Take It Like A Man" (as juicy as that was.) No, this is far more simple, yet meatier by far. Paul Zollo, himself a singer/songwriter as well as author and music journalist, approaches the interview process with an in-depth knowledge of not only Tom Petty and his entire career, but musical composition and the structure of songs and songwriting. And how refreshing that is!

Although not a complete autobiography, at 376 pages, it is the most complete, and the first and only authorized book on Tom Petty. The first part covers his earliest years and The Heartbreakers' genesis. It also includes in-depth information about his work with The Traveling Wilburys and The Heartbreakers working as back up for both Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan. The second half of the book covers the many records Tom Petty has made over the span of his career. Here is the real meat and potatoes for the musicians interested in his sound, because he tells it all—what instuments he uses, what equipment, the process, everything.

As a person who loves listening to music, a singer who loves harmonies, and an interviewer who loves talking to musicians, this is the kind of unlimited and unfettered access to a subject that is the stuff of a long-gone era, and that lives on only in my dreams. In these days of the 15-minute-watched-like-a-hawk-over-policed-interview, it’s awesome to see one of rock’s greatest and most prolific talents open himself up to an interviewer with that level of trust for the sake of his fans. I wish more were like you, Tom. It’s a damn good read, and it proves that the living medium of a good interview wins out over the lawlessness of reality tv anyday.

If you enjoy biographies, musicians and music, or just damn good interviewers, you will enjoy this book. And obviously, it’s a must-have for any Tom Petty fan.



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