American rock musician and songwriter who led Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers — producing a string of classic rock anthems over four decades — and whose Wildflowers album (produced by Rick Rubin in 1994) represented his most personal artistic statement.
Demonstrated that commercial success and artistic integrity are compatible in rock music — maintaining creative control throughout his career by refusing label demands that would compromise his vision — and his battle with MCA Records over pricing in 1981 (declaring bankruptcy to void his contract) became the model for artist-label power struggles.
Discussing
Ask anything about Tom Petty — their ideas, influences, contradictions, legacy.
Sign in to start a conversation.