I've been writing this monthly blog for a few years now, usually focused on new bands that I like and want to bring to your attention. But not this time.
Photo Credit: musicisentropy
I suppose I take for granted that most fans of iconic music would naturally have already seen the truly great American artists live such as Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, and Bob Dylan. Yet I talk to people and am always amazed to discover how many of them still haven't seen these essential artists in concert. It's baffling, because they are still making great music and, to paraphrase Bruce, "bringing it every night".
There's another great artist who belongs in that elite company -- a musician who has defined integrity since he came on the scene more than 35 years ago and deserves the same kind of reverence. And he's the only guy cooler than Johnny Depp: Tom Petty.
Photo Credit: Ian Burt
His remarkable catalog of songs, authenticity as an artist and musical versatility leading to extraordinary collaborations with Dylan, The Traveling Wilbury's and many other top artists, make seeing him for the first time (or the 20th time in my case) a must. And his excellent band The Heartbreakers (led by guitarist extraordinaire, Mike Campbell) is second to none.
There's a reason he draws more fans than ever before and his musical reach cuts across so many generations...go see why for yourself.
Here's three places to catch him live.
Photo Credit: Sleephla