Petty: The Biography

On the back of my copy of this book was a quote by Eddie Vedder in which he described reading the book as a long ride on the tour bus with TP and the Heartbreakers. The book reads like a long Rolling Stones article. I heard about it on a podcast and assumed it was more about his personal life, but really his music was his personal life. I was amazed by all the connections he had to so many other prominent artists and to see those connections through his songwriting. I liked the way Zanes traced Petty's ebbs and flows of life and the manifestation of those in his albums. I'll never listen to his music in the same way again. I grew up in Florida and lived in Gainesville for a couple years, so seeing those connections was a nice bonus :)

Very enjoyable, comprehensive biography of TP and the times that made him. Although Petty and many of the Heartbreakers were interviewed, they don't shy away from the ugly parts of the band's history. Made me appreciate the fact that TP and Heartbreakers is one of the few bands that have stayed together (in some form) and remained relevant (not just doing classic rock tours) for 40+ years.