Some celebrity deaths are sad.
Others feel strangely personal.
Losing Tom Petty in 2017 felt like losing someone who had been riding around in the car with us for decades.
In this special Stuck in the ’80s memorial episode, we remember Tom Petty, celebrate his remarkable ’80s music and revisit the songs that made Petty and the Heartbreakers an essential part of the decade's soundtrack.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in the ’80s
Petty entered the decade already riding high after the success of Damn the Torpedoes.
Hard Promises arrived in 1981 with “The Waiting,” followed by 1982's Long After Dark and the wonderfully ’80s “You Got Lucky.”
Then came Southern Accents in 1985, featuring “Don't Come Around Here No More.”
The video was unforgettable.
With Petty playing the Mad Hatter in a surreal Alice in Wonderland-inspired nightmare, “Don't Come Around Here No More” became one of the most memorable videos of the MTV era.
The Traveling Wilburys and Full Moon Fever
Petty closed the decade with an absurdly productive stretch.
In 1988, he joined George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison and Jeff Lynne in the Traveling Wilburys — quite possibly the most overqualified garage band ever assembled.
Then came Petty's first solo album, Full Moon Fever, in 1989.
“Free Fallin'.” “I Won't Back Down.” “Runnin' Down a Dream.”
Three songs that would become among the most beloved recordings of his entire career, released just as our favorite decade was coming to an end.
Not a bad way to say goodbye to the ’80s.
Remembering Tom Petty
What made Tom Petty special wasn't simply the number of hits.
His music felt accessible. Unpretentious. Human.
Petty could write about heartbreak, defiance, freedom and ordinary people trying to make their way through life without ever sounding like he was trying too hard to make a Big Important Statement.
He just wrote great songs.
In this memorial episode, we celebrate those songs and share our memories of an artist whose music accompanied us through the ’80s and long after the decade ended.
Tom Petty died far too soon at age 66.
But turn on “The Waiting,” “American Girl,” “Free Fallin'” or “I Won't Back Down,” and something remarkable happens.
Join Us on The ’80s Cruise
Want to celebrate the music and artists of our favorite decade with thousands of fellow fans? Join Stuck in the ’80s aboard The ’80s Cruise for live music, trivia, podcasts and plenty of other ’80s fun at sea.
Use promo code STUCK when booking to receive $250 in onboard credit.
The waiting is the hardest part.
Especially when the cruise is still months away.
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