Photo // Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers live at The O2, Dublin, 7th June 2012
© Graham Keogh / hotpress.com

Music/News: 03 Oct 2017
The Hot Press Newsdesk

The overwhelming love and respect for Tom Petty continues

Cameron Crowe, Joe Elliott & REO Speedwagon are among the latest to pay tribute...

BRENDAN MORRISSEY (EX-MY LITTLE FUNHOUSE)

1991 Tom Petty’s manager Tony Dimitriades flew to Ireland and came to Kilkenny to try and manage My Little Funhouse. He put Tom on the phone to me. I remember this grizzly southern voice from Hollywood saying “Man I’m digging your demos, I was just driving over Mulholland listening to them. He started singing Standunder, No one understands me, no one can connect with me” This was the Full Moon Fever guy, Free Fallin, Running down a dream, songs we adored. I don’t remember saying very much back to him, probably just a “Thanks very much Mr Petty” Gulp.

Every time I go to LA I take that drive and remember our brief encounter.

We had spent an evening with Denny Cordell at his estate in Bagnalstown earlier that week.. a night of huge spliffs listening to Procol Harum, Mott the Hoople vinyls and stories of Chris Blackwell and Island Records. Denny signed Tom Petty to his first record deal but sadly passed away a few years after we met.

When you’re a Superstar you don’t need to take time out to tell young Irish bands that you think they’re great but I guess that’s the man Tom Petty was.

Such a sad day...

AIDAN COSGRAVE (ORCHID COLLECTIVE MANAGER)

Horrible news.. Tom Petty has left us, at 65 years of age. I grew up listening to him. Such a cool superstar... from American Girl to Face in the Crowd etc etc and more. It's another sad day. Respect.

JOE ELLIOTT

I can’t say I knew Tom, although I did meet him twice, once to get his autograph backstage after I saw him open for Nils Lofgren at the Sheffield City Hall in 1978, and in a bowling alley of all places in 1983 when Def Leppard & Tom happened to be in the same town on the same night, but I’m incredibly saddened by the news of Tom Petty’s passing. I love that 1st album (that’s what he signed for me!), always have, always will, but I have to add that Full Moon Fever was played on an almost daily basis when Leppard were writing & recording the Adrenalize album. Through his work with the Heartbreakers and The Traveling Wilburys he’s left us with an incredible legacy to enjoy forever, it’s such a shame he has left us way before his time.

RIP Tom, safe travels into the Great Wide Open...

KEVIN CRONIN (REO SPEEDWAGON)

I am at a loss in trying to express my feelings at this moment. I can't believe that Tom Petty has passed away at such a young age. His songwriting is masterful in its simplicity and honesty. I feel Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers is the best American rock band, ever. He is both a peer and an inspiration to me. I am heartbroken at his passing, and my deep sympathy goes out to his family and loved ones.

Sad sad news. Tom Petty RIP. A huge influence on my songwriting. Great economy of lyrics. He will be missed. pic.twitter.com/hplZ9oyuty

— Eleanor McEvoy (@eleanormcevoy) October 3, 2017

Goodnight Tom Petty❤️❤️❤️
If you want to hear a perfect album look no further than
Full Moon Fever .Genius... https://t.co/8FPPUZfUpO

— Jack Lukeman (@jackllukeman) October 3, 2017

no words. just thanks. @tompetty pic.twitter.com/224gn9GNbo

— Cameron Crowe (@CameronCrowe) October 2, 2017

So very sad to hear that Tom Petty as left us . A true musical legend who has inspired me for so many years . RIP x G and the feeder boys . pic.twitter.com/24a43utuPv

— Feeder (@FeederHQ) October 3, 2017