Preview: Music to Your Ears – Tom Petty’s Greatest Hits
Tom Petty was a giant of American music. Petty released more than a dozen studio albums with his band, three solo albums, two records as a member of supergroup Traveling Wilburys, and more. Along the way Petty and the Heartbreakers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and earned a star on Hollywood Walk of Fame. Seven of the band’s albums went Gold (500,000 units sold) and six went Platinum or multi-Platinum. Biggest of all, their Greatest Hits album – released three decades ago this year – sold a staggering 12 million copies.
It’s easy to forget just how many hits Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers landed on the charts. For a generation, Petty’s brand of straight-ahead, tuneful and heartfelt rock ruled the airwaves. From the band’s first breakthrough 1976 single, “American Girl” through the posthumously-released “Leave Virginia Alone,” Petty and his band created a long string of songs that were classics in every sense of the word, earning both critical acclaim and chart success.
The music of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers served – and continue to serve – as part of the soundtrack of modern life.
Now there’s an opportunity to enjoy and appreciate Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ Greatest Hits with fellow music lovers. In celebration of their body of work, the latest in the popular Music to Your Ears discussion series will explore some of the group’s biggest hits, as well as Petty’s inspirations, influences and collaborators. I’ll be joined by Damon Goldman – leader, guitarist and vocalist with tribute group Somewhat Petty – for an evening of listening and conversation about Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Damon may even sing and play a Tom Petty song or two. The evening is the latest installment of the popular “Music to Your Ears’ discussion series, hosted by Asheville Guitar Bar and sponsored by AshevilleFM.
Join me for an evening in discussion. We’ll listen to key tracks and encourage questions, comment and shared wisdom from the audience.
WHAT: Music to Your Ears Discussion Series: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ Greatest Hits
WHO: Discussion led by music journalist/author Bill Kopp with co-host Damon Goldman (Somewhat Petty)
WHERE: Asheville Guitar Bar, 122 Riverside Dr., Suite D, Asheville
WHEN: Wednesday, August 2, 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (doors open 6:30) $10 at the door / SEATING IS LIMITED
FOR MORE INFO: visit www.musoscribe.com/talks
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4500-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.