Conversations With Tom Petty
Author Paul Zollo
Published by Omnibus Press
Review By Robin Steeley
"Mr Zollo has knocked the dust off many a memory here. I hope you enjoy
reading them half as much as I have living them”….Tom Petty"
Conversations with Tom Petty is the first official and authorized story of 40 years of music and life for the legendary songwriter. Having sold more then 50 million records worldwide and recently Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002 Tom Petty’s body of work speaks for itself. The book is a series of in depth discussions about Petty’s life and career with a special series devoted to his songwriting. The book precedes the 30th anniversary of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers first album.
In Q&A format, this book is truly written in Petty’s own voice with subtle prompting from Zollo. At 376 pages, it is a definitive history of the man’s life and music. The book comes with excellent timing as Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers prepare to embark on a national headlining tour as well as ready for release their latest studio album since 2002, which should be headed for stores in early 2006.
Zollo is a singer songwriter, author and music journalist who has dedicated his life to interviewing the world’s greatest songwriters. He does an excellent job of chronicling the artist’s career and craft, with intelligent and articulate questions that allowed Petty to reveal the real mysteries behind the music.
Overall, it’s a stunning collection of interviews between Petty and Zollo who clearly formed a poignant relationship during the writing process. Petty is candid, funny, and giving in his life and history, surprisingly since he has always found a way to dodge the press. This story was told in the way of friendship and by someone who is an obvious fan of the music. It is a must have for any fan of rock biographies or Tom Petty himself.
