A belated tribute to a musical ‘heartbreaker’

Like most everybody, there are all kinds of music I like and keep on my personal playlist — from classical to classic rock — which doesn’t get fed much new material these days; I seem content enough to listen to the old standbys when exercising, gardening, cooking, etc.

My musical taste was first forged in fourth grade when I asked for, and received, as a Confirmation gift from my parents, the Monkees debut album. I was crazy about their ‘60s TV show — the goofy Peter Tork being my favorite Monkee — and I believe I busted out a fan scream when I tore off that wrapping paper.

From those dubious beginnings, by high school my musical taste had tilted toward folk and the first album I ever bought with my own money was James Taylor’s “One Man Dog,” whose music can still be found on my playlist. Of all my favorite musicians and bands Taylor still remains at the top of the list. I’ve seen him in concert several times, most recently at the Hollywood Bowl with my daughter who treated me to what was a thoroughly magical evening.

That being said, as far as my concert attendance goes, I believe Taylor is tied with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. The first time we saw Petty we traveled with two other couples in a vintage silver 1964 motorcoach bus to the Gorge outdoor amphitheater outside of George, Washington. The first name of the owner of the bus happened to be Tom and his name was displayed in huge letters on the destination sign above the windshield. And, because one member of our party required a wheelchair for long distances, we were given the privilege of parking in the handicap section at the very front of the venue.

It was quite the surprise to see how many concert-goers thought we were Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers rolling into the show. We drummed up a lot of curiosity and got plenty of attention from the people walking from their remote parking spots up to the gate. That is, until we stepped off the bus and revealed our true, unexciting, non-rockstar identities. But it made for a good story over the years.

It was with much sadness that I heard of Petty’s death in 2017 at age 66 due to an accidental drug overdose, in part, because of overmedicating for a fractured hip. Petty had just completed six months of a 40th-anniversary tour with his band the Heartbreakers. The day he died I remember feeling both disbelief, dismay and the dismal realization that I would never have the chance to see him in concert again.

As far as that playlist of mine, it has a fairly heavy set of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. And I’m so glad it does, because with Petty’s death, the Heartbreakers band was no more.

Petty was a hardworking, legendary musician, as much dedicated to his longtime band as to his fans. He had a charismatic stage presence and put on great concerts. Those of us who loved his music, his lyrics and his showmanship, miss him.

“Well, I don’t know, but I’ve been told, ‘You never slow down, you never grow old.’” — Tom Petty

Community editor Carol Marino may be reached at 406-758-4440 or community@dailyinterlake.com.