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  • Petty: The Biography

  • Written by: Warren Zanes
  • Narrated by: Warren Zanes
  • Length: 13 hrs and 57 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (58 ratings)

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Petty: The Biography

Written by: Warren Zanes
Narrated by: Warren Zanes
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Publisher's Summary

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.

©2015 Warren Zanes (P)2015 Audible, Inc.
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What the critics say

"Petty and Zanes have decided to tell the unvarnished truth, and the result is not only the definitive account of Petty's life, but one of the best rock biographies in recent memory." ( Rolling Stone)
"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)

What listeners say about Petty: The Biography

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    5 out of 5 stars
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PettyTastic!

I've been a petty fan since I was 10. I'm 45. I downloaded this book two days before Mr Petty passed away. it's been a hard listen at times and I have to admit I actually shed a few tears. I thought this book was very very well done. Mr. Penny got quite personal in his interviews. I learned a lot about mr. Petty and I actually thought I didn't have anything left to learn. I had no idea about the heroin addiction. I especially like the interview at the end of it with the author. Many thanks to you mister Zanes for the effort that you put into this great book.

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Tom Petty: Warts and all

Tom Petty has always had a special place in my heart7. the very first concert I ever saw with my mother (who also loves Tom) was Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

Now years later, my mother is terminally ill, (and as we all know) Tom Petty is gone. The world is a much darker place these days.

Darkness and overcoming Trauma is a big theme in this book. I had no idea how hard Tom Petty struggled with addiction and all the loss and trauma he went through.

I loved this book. The author (Warren Zanes got to know some of Tom's deepest secrets and thoughts and was an excellent narrator. I Think Warren could relate coming from a band background, and going through a messy divorce himself.

If you like Tom Petty and his music has a special place in your heart... use a credit on this book its definitely so worth it. I was sad when it ended!

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