Petty: The Biography
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Narrated by:
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Warren Zanes
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By:
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Warren Zanes
About this listen
An exhilarating and intimate account of the life of music legend Tom Petty by an accomplished writer and musician who toured with Petty.
No one other than Warren Zanes, rocker and writer and friend, could author a book about Tom Petty that is as honest and evocative of Petty's music and the remarkable rock and roll history he and his band helped to write.
Born in Gainesville, Florida, with more than a little hillbilly in his blood, Tom Petty was a Southern shit kicker, a kid without a whole lot of promise. Rock and roll made it otherwise. From meeting Elvis to seeing the Beatles on Ed Sullivan to producing Del Shannon; backing Bob Dylan; putting together a band with George Harrison, Dylan, Roy Orbison and Jeff Lynne; making records with Johnny Cash; and sending well more than a dozen of his own celebrated recordings high onto the charts, Tom Petty's story has all the drama of a rock and roll epic.
Now in his mid-60s, still making records and still touring, Petty, known for his reclusive style, has shared with Warren Zanes his insights and arguments, his regrets and lasting ambitions, and the details of his life on and off the stage.
This is an audiobook for those who know and love the songs, from "American Girl" and "Refugee" to "Free Fallin'" and "Mary Jane's Last Dance", and for those who want to see the classic rock and roll era embodied in one man's remarkable story. Dark and mysterious, Petty manages to come back again and again, showing us what the music can do and where it can take us.
BONUS AUDIO: In an exclusive Audible interview, author and narrator Warren Zanes discusses the cultural significance behind rock biographies, how great records continue to reveal new things over time, and the enduring and "authentic rock-and-roll cool" that is Tom Petty.
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Critic reviews
"Imagine a long ride on the tour bus with Tom and the Heartbreakers where everyone was feeling loose enough to tell all their stories. What a historic night that would be. This book is that." (Eddie Vedder)
"This amazing book is a Tom Petty biography (and it's great on that account) but it's far more than that. It's an X-ray of the most fragile, most volatile, and most sublime social unit ever invented: the rock-and-roll band. The alliances, the distortions, the deep bruises and the absurd elations that can never be explained to an outsider. Sure, Petty is a book about a rock band but it's really a book about being human - how we meet and collaborate, break up and make up, learn to trust (or not) and, once in a lucky while, sing as loud as we can. It's a masterpiece." (Stephen Dubner, co-author of Freakonomics)
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In 1992, Victor Bockris' celebrated biography was the first to recognize Richards' pivotal role in the legend of the Rolling Stones. Now that book on rock's most incredible survivor has been expanded. Here are the true facts behind Richards' battles with his demons: the women, the drugs and the love-hate relationship with Jagger. His struggle with heroin and his status as the rock star most likely to die in the 1970s. His scarcely believable rebirth as a family man in the 1980s. Illuminated with revealing quotes and thoughtful insights into the man behind the band that goes on forever.
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doesn't comapre to LIFE
- By A. Garofalo on 02-20-14
By: Victor Bockris
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I Am Brian Wilson
- By: Brian Wilson, Ben Greenman - contributor
- Narrated by: Fred Berman
- Length: 9 hrs and 42 mins
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As a cofounding member of the Beach Boys in the 1960s, Wilson created some of the most groundbreaking and timeless popular music ever recorded. With intricate harmonies, symphonic structures, and wide-eyed lyrics that explored life's most transcendent joys and deepest sorrows, songs like "In My Room", "God Only Knows", and "Good Vibrations" forever expanded the possibilities of pop songwriting.
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Surviving the Minor Keys in Life - Love Overcomes
- By Russell on 12-01-16
By: Brian Wilson, and others
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Torment Saint
- The Life of Elliott Smith
- By: William Todd Schultz
- Narrated by: Travis Young
- Length: 13 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
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Elliott Smith was one of the most gifted songwriters of the 90s, adored by fans for his subtly melancholic words and melodies. The sadness had its sources in life. There was trauma from an early age, years of drug abuse, and a chronic sense of disconnection that sometimes seemed self-engineered. Smith died violently in LA in 2003, under what some believe to be questionable circumstances, of stab wounds to the chest. By this time fame had found him, and record-buyers who shared the listening experience felt he spoke directly to them from beyond: astute, damaged, lovelorn, fighting, until he could fight no more.
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Almost interesting, often overwrought, poorly read
- By PerpetualGeorge on 01-27-14
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My Life with Earth, Wind & Fire
- By: Maurice White, Herb Powell
- Narrated by: Dion Graham
- Length: 11 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
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The late Grammy-winning founder of the legendary pop/R&B/soul/funk/disco group tells his story and charts the rise of his legendary band in this sincere memoir that captures the heart and soul of an artist whose groundbreaking sound continues to influence music today. With a foreword by David Foster.
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Maurice--Earth, Wind and Fire
- By Linda Ealey on 02-28-17
By: Maurice White, and others
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Mustaine
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James Hetfield, with whom many years ago Mustaine founded a band known as Metallica, once observed, with some incredulity, that Mustaine must have been born with a horseshoe up his ass. That's how lucky he's been, how fortunate he is to be pulling breath after so many close calls. And Hetfield is right. Mustaine has been lucky. He has been blessed. But here's the thing about having a horseshoe lodged in your rectum: It also hurts like hell. And you never forget it's there.
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peace sells...I'm buying!!!
- By michael on 09-19-10
By: Dave Mustaine, and others
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Kicking and Dreaming
- A Story of Heart, Soul, and Rock and Roll
- By: Ann Wilson, Nancy Wilson
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- Length: 8 hrs and 51 mins
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Two sisters. Two voices. One Heart.
The mystery of "Magic Man." The wicked riff of "Barracuda." The sadness and beauty of "Alone." The raw energy of "Crazy On You." These songs, and so many more, are part of the fabric of American music. Heart, fronted by Ann and Nancy Wilson, has given fans everywhere classic, raw, and pure badass rock and roll for more than three decades. As the only sisters in rock who write their own music and play their own instruments, Ann and Nancy have always stood apart - certainly from their male counterparts but also from their female peers.
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Good Behind-The-Scenes Look At "Heart"
- By Kathy on 11-13-12
By: Ann Wilson, and others
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Fornication
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- By: Jeff Apter
- Narrated by: Adrian Mulraney
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Despite an epic reputation for exhibitionism, drug taking, and drunkenness, through it all the Chili Peppers have continued to produce records that shock, challenge, and intrigue their fans. Jeff Apter tells the complete Red Hot Chili Peppers story, from their first meeting at a Los Angeles high school to the creation of such career-defining albums as BloodSugarSexMagik, Californication and By The Way.
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Cabron
- By Amazon Customer on 10-02-19
By: Jeff Apter
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Who I Am
- By: Pete Townshend
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- Length: 17 hrs and 56 mins
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From the voice of a generation: the most highly anticipated autobiography of the year, and the story of a man who wanted The Who to be called The Hair; wanted to be a sculptor, a journalist, a dancer and a graphic designer; became a musician, composer, librettist, fiction writer, literary editor, sailor; drank too much and nearly died; detached from his body in an airplane, on LSD, and nearly died; planned to write his memoir when he was 21; and published this book at 67.
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Glad To Meet You
- By Mel on 10-12-12
By: Pete Townshend
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Hit Hard
- By: Joey Kramer
- Narrated by: Holter Graham
- Length: 6 hrs and 6 mins
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In 1997, amid Aerosmith's sold-out world tour and number one album release, Joey revealed in an interview his ongoing struggles with depression. The response from fans and people battling those same internal demons was overwhelming. Joey now tells the complete story: the early days of the band, glamorous drug-addled events leading up to their eventual sobriety, battles within his family and among bandmates, and the explosive internal dynamics in Aerosmith.
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The things we never knew
- By bluestar on 08-22-18
By: Joey Kramer
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Catch a Wave
- The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson
- By: Peter Ames Carlin
- Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot
- Length: 14 hrs and 15 mins
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In Catch a Wave, Peter Ames Carlin pulls back the curtain on Brian Wilson, one of popular music's most revered luminaries, as well as its biggest mystery. Drawing on hundreds of interviews and never-before heard studio recordings, Carlin follows the Beach Boys from their earliest days through Brian's deepening emotional problems to his triumphant re-emergence with the release of Smile, the legendarily unreleased album he had originally shelved.
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Not great
- By J. Barker on 08-08-16
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Outlaw
- Waylon, Willie, Kris, and the Renegades of Nashville
- By: Michael Streissguth
- Narrated by: John Pruden
- Length: 7 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
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Waylon Jennings. Willie Nelson. Kris Kristofferson. Three renegade musicians. Three unexpected stars. Three men who changed Nashville and country music forever. Streissguth's new book brings to life an incredible chapter in musical history and reveals for the first time a surprising outlaw zeitgeist in Nashville. Based on extensive research and probing interviews with key players, what emerges is a fascinating glimpse into three of the most legendary artists of our times and the definitive story of how they changed music in Nashville and everywhere.
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Revealing little-known Details does Captivate!
- By Cody Meyer on 11-20-17
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Well done!
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From the do-or-die early days of self-financed recordings and D.I.Y. concert productions that were as flashy as they were foolhardy, to the multi-platinum, MTV-powered glory years of stadium-shaking anthems and chart-topping power ballads, to the ultimate crash when grunge bands like Nirvana forever altered the entire climate of the business, Tom Beaujour and Richard Bienstock's Nothin' But a Good Time captures the energy and excess of the hair metal years in the words of the musicians and industry insiders who lived it.
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What listeners say about Petty: The Biography
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- John
- 04-29-19
Terrific
Great book and the author does a great job on the narration. If you are even a passing fan of Tom Petty, I highly recommend this.
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- 3twenty6
- 06-20-18
His middle name was Earl
I have this hobby (addiction) where I listen to audiobiographies (if that ain't a word, it should be) of musicians during my commute each day and listen to the music that was discussed while I'm at work. It's a great way to do a deep dive into some of my favorite artists' work and get a better understanding of where (and who) they were when the music was made.
Zanes' bio of Tom Petty is a semi-authorized affair, done in cooperation with the artist, but that doesn't make it a fluff piece that paints Petty as a dude who could do no wrong. To the contrary, it points out some flaws in Petty's character, the mistakes he made, and dishes out some pretty ugly truths about his battle with drugs that weren't public knowledge beforehand. Could it have gotten more lurid? It could have, but Zanes respects his subject and his reader enough to give the reader some valuable insights without veering into tabloid territory.
Zane's passion for the music and desire to put Perry's work in a proper perspective are evident throughout. He doesn't endlessly labor over the details of what he thinks the songs might mean, but rather delivers thoughtful perspectives on the songs, albums, and performances based on the facts surrounding their creation.
He took great care to discuss what made some of Petty's work so magical, but doesn't get overly technical about it. There are some references to the technology or the process whenever they help explain the "what" or the "why" of things, but overall, it doesn't get bogged down in the "hows" of songwriting and recording .I
The book was released not long before Petty died, so it covers almost his entire career from his early days with Mudcrutch to... well... his last days with Mudcrutch, and everything in between. The one thing I will say though is that Stan Lynch really takes it on the chin in this book. He and Petty had a seriously contentious relationship, and if there was really as much animosity as Zane suggests, it's a miracle they played together as long as they did.
Last words.... If you like Tom Petty, you'll dig this book. If you don't dig Tom Petty, well, you might. If nothing else, you'll see him for what he was. A man with assets, defects, and a boatload of talent.
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- Karen H. Goodwin
- 05-10-18
Best Book About Tom Petty, and They're All Good
Warren Zanes makes the best case for why Tom Petty's music is the soundtrack for most Americans' life. He is unique in his songwriting, guitar playing and singing. He is recognizable on all three levels. The world is a better place because of Tom Petty. Don't believe me? Read the book.
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- Indy Drummer
- 09-09-17
Best Rock Bio Ever
No matter what your familiarity is with Tom Petty, you owe it to yourself to listen to this book. Warren Zanes has written an amazing account of the trials and tribulations of one of the best American bands to come from the 70s. Having him READ it to you is just like having him in your living room, your car, TELLING you the story just like it's a conversation. He wrote the words in a way that makes them function in a spoken way, and that is so evident when he's reading it to you. You can't help but get lost in the storytelling. Compelling stories narrated by the guy who did all the interviewing, research, and writing. Doesn't get any better than this. Listen to this ENTIRE recording. You will NOT regret it.
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- Michelle
- 03-01-17
Give us Another, Warren
For this 50 something Petty fan, listening to another Petty fan tell it from the heart made this almost encyclopedic biography.
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- Musicalspirit
- 05-13-16
Excellent writing, and well narrated !
I have always been a fan of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, so I was glad to find this on Audible since time and access to a place to read is slim in comparison to listening time. Warren has crafted a work of art that stands up to the legend and legacy of Petty and shares an in depth look into history on a personal level for Tom and family as well as giving the reader a taste of what the southern US experienced culturally. The life of the music industry, and it's boom and evolution is part of history that has touched some part of every persons life, regardless of them being aware of it or not and Warren weaves it into this biography in a way that reveals part of the shadows we forget are cast from its inner workings. This a book I will listen to several times, and also purchase for my physical library as well. It will be a book I gift to many people in my life.
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- Michael Henby
- 12-10-21
An amazing overview of Tom Petty's life and career
This was so good!! Written by a rock musician, Zane's, we get a deep perspective of Petty and all the key characters in his life. A must read for all TP fans as well as rock fans. A big thumbs up!
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- Shawn C. Barber
- 11-09-20
Top Notch
Rarely review but this was an A1 story and Warren Zanes narrative is 100 percent on point, genuine, and the voice is the real thing, just like Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Highly recommend
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- Linda S
- 11-19-20
Gets inside Petty's head
Really enjoyed listening to this. Down to earth story telling. Made you feel like you knew him personally.
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- M28M
- 07-23-19
A real treat
A good way to look at Tom Petty's life and understand a little bit better his work. Love this bio.
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