Lara Trump, the wife of Eric Trump, has recorded a version of “I Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty, and it should never been allowed to happen.
We pay our respects to the late Tom Petty the best way we know how—with music.
Tom Petty was a giant in life and he’ll remain so in death. He leaves a songbook, a legacy, that future musicians, historians and fans will pour over, generations from now.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ surprisingly subdued Super Bowl halftime show was as uncomplicated in person as it looked on television. There were no wardrobe – or any other kind – of malfunctions. Moments before the performance, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers calmly waited on the Patriots’ side of the field. Once given the go signal, the musicians quickly took the stage, picked up their instruments and started performing. They made playing a concert for about 100 million people look almost effortless. On the field, it was impossible to tell that the illuminated stage was heart shaped or that a… Read more »
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers will launch a North American tour on June 27 in Grand Rapids, Michigan-and the band’s original bassist Ron Blair, who left the band in 1982, will return to the fold to replace Howie Epstein. In a statement, the group noted that it has “parted ways with Howie Epstein because of his ongoing personal problems.” Blair, who was on the first four Heartbreakers albums before he left and was replaced by Epstein, played with the band at its Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction in March. Last year, Epstein was arrested in New Mexico with… Read more »
Veteran rock band Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers has parted ways with its bass player of 20 years, citing his “ongoing personal problems.” Howie Epstein, who got into trouble with the law last year, will be replaced on tour by Ron Blair, the original member he subbed for in 1982, the band said in a statement on Thursday. The group’s management firm declined to comment any further on the personnel shift, the first since drummer Stan Lynch left in 1994 after a blowout with bandleader Petty. The band, which formed in 1975, is best known for such hits as “American… Read more »
A few punks, a scruffy “Refugee” and the most sex-crazed chef on television are crashing the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Punk rock pioneers the Ramones and Talking Heads, Southern rockers Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and soul singer Isaac Hayes will lead the class of 2002 when they are inducted into the rock hall on March 18, organizers announced Thursday (December 13). Other artists recognized include ’60s icons Brenda Lee and Gene Pitney, guitar great Chet Atkins, and Stax Records co-founder Jim Stewart. Atkins, who crafted the sound of country music before moving on to record with Elvis… Read more »
Tom Petty and his longtime girlfriend, Dana York, were married on June 3 in Las Vegas, following the head Heartbreaker’s two sold-out shows at the Hard Rock Hotel on June 1st and 2nd. According to Petty’s rep, the musician, his bride and a few close family and friends remained in Sin City for their wedding on Sunday. Following the rather low-key ceremony (no, they were not married by an Elvis impersonator), the rather raucous party of twenty descended on Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in Las Vegas to celebrate. Petty superfans can even order a copy of the wedding certificate for a… Read more »
Boston, the Ramones, the Sex Pistols, the Patti Smith Group, the Talking Heads, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers head the 2002 class of newly eligible artists for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, sources close to the process revealed to allstar on Thursday (May 24). An artist has to have first recorded 25 years ago (1977) in order to be newly eligible. Others eligible for the first time are Will Ackerman, Blondie, Bootsy’s Rubber Band, Peabo Bryson, Burning Spear, John Cougar, Dwight Twilley Band, Firefall, Graham Parker and the Rumour, Amy Grant, Greg Kihn Band, Sammy Hagar, Richard… Read more »
Tom Petty says he’s not much of a football fan, but playing the Super Bowl halftime show was an offer he couldn’t refuse. “The most significant thing about it is the people watching worldwide … it’s probably the biggest audience you can have I would imagine,” the 57-year-old singer told “It’s quite an honor to be asked, if you look at the people who have done it, it’s a very elite crowd … it’s a great opportunity to play for the whole world at once,” Petty said. Tickets for Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers’ North American tour go on sale… Read more »
