The Band Members
The rock band originally consisted of five members in 1976: Tom Petty(lead singer/guitar), Mike Campbell(lead guitarist), Ron Blair(bass guitar), Stan Lynch(drums), and Benmont Tench(keyboards). However, in 1981, Ron Blair departed the band and Howie Epstein replaced him. In 1991, Scott Thurston joined the band as a multi-instrumentalist. In 1994 Steve Ferrone replaced Stan Lynch on drums and in 2002 Ron Blair returned to the band.
3 Favorite Songs
- Learning to Fly
- Mary Jane's Last Dance
- I Won't Back Down
Learning to Fly
"Learning to Fly" is a great song about the struggles of life and overcoming those struggles. With a main acoustic guitar rythm, occasional electric guitar riffs, and a relatively simple percussion, the instumentals of the song help encapsulate the message of this song. On top of that, Tom Petty's vocals tie it all together to create a a meaningful and well-made song.
Mary Jane's Last Dance
"Mary Jane's Last Dance" is another song with great use of instrumentals. The song has a catchy rythm with phenomenal guitar riffs and harmonica usage to create a unique song most have heard. Once again, Tom Petty uses his unique voice to tell a story in this song.
I Won't Back Down
"I Won't Back Down" is a song where Tom Petty's vocals truly shine. The song is essentially about not giving up no matter the circumstances. The song has a meaningful message that many can relate to. The instrumentals of the song also are fantastic and convey the message of the song well.