Petty: The Biography

By: Warren Zanes

Narrated by: Warren Zanes

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.

Critic reviews

"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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

Gets inside Petty's head

Really enjoyed listening to this. Down to earth story telling. Made you feel like you knew him personally.

A real treat

A good way to look at Tom Petty's life and understand a little bit better his work. Love this bio.