And the beat -sadly- goes on.

Just yesterday I noted the string of bad news coming since last week and continuing through to the latest -and largest- mass shooting which occurred in Las Vegas.

Thought things couldn’t get worse but, of course, they always can.

Word came last afternoon/night that singer Tom Petty had died.  Then, that he wasn’t dead but, worse yet, that he was taken to a hospital after a heart attack and, as per do not resuscitate orders, was taken off life support systems after being found to have no brain activity.

Man.

Today, word came that he had indeed passed away, something that was expected given that last bit of news and, of course, I offer my condolences to his family and friends.

I distinctly remember the first time I heard or at least noticed a Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers song.  Back in those stone age days before the internet and when MTV first hit the airwaves, I was amused and entertained with this video, which used the then very popular Mel Gibson film Mad Max 2 aka The Road Warrior as a visual template:

The song wasn’t bad, either!

Look, I’m not going to lie: I was never a HUGE fan of Mr. Petty.  For me, his singing style was not my cup of tea as it was just a little too Bob Dylan-esq.

Having said that, the man knew how to create memorable songs.  He had a string of very popular and very deserved hits and was an ever present fixture of the radio stations I’ve listened to for most of my life.

I could list his most popular/well known songs but I suspect most people out there know them quite well.  While his voice may not have thrilled me, there is little doubt his musical legacy is large and He will be remembered for many, many years to come.

As an artist, ultimately that is your hope, to create something that will entertain and amuse people even when you’re gone.

So Rest In Peace, Mr. Petty.

I believe it’s time for me to listen to more than a few of your songs, for old time’s sake.