Hello Sinners,
    I went to see Petty last night and I gotta say the man still has it.  Lots to be said about him so I'll try to stay focused.  lets start with the concert, Awesome!!!  a set list mixed with old and new performed with precision of a band thats been together for 30 years. barring the jet engine drumming of Steve Ferrone who became a Heartbreaker, I believe, at the time of his Pettys Wildflowers CD. And Bassist Ron Blair who started as the orignal Heartbreaker then quit to open a bikini shop only to return to the fold after the tragic death of Howie Epstein(Mr Brownstone got him).  I was glad to see Petty give a nod to the Traveling Wilburys by playin' "End of the Line".  Some songs I hear on the radio make me reach for the dial to change the station and one of those song is "I Won't Back Down".  However Petty has been "backed up to the gates of hell" a few times fighting with his record label.  He didn't back down and he persevered and to hear the man sing it himself carries alotta weight in this writers opinion.  Some of the standouts were Even the Losers, The Waiting, Saving Grace(Great Live Song) Face in the Crowd,  and of course the pyschedelic tinged Don't Come around Here No More, where all the stops were pulled out by the Stage/Lighting Crew.  The stage design really sets a new high water mark in stage production.  Pink Floyd would've Blushed.  It was described in Grand Rapids Press as a mad scientist erector set, and thats pretty much what it was, truly bad ass.  This is my first time blogging so if I knew how to add pictures i'd do it.  Sorry!  Anyway this is the 4th time I've seen him and I don't know what it was that endears so many people to him, because he really is and has been an unlikely canidate for stardom, must be great songs+great band=success.  Not what would Simon Paula & Randy think.  Could you imagine if a gangly19 year old Petty auditioned for these guys.  I'm sure it go something like this, simon........so..........you think your the next American Idol......you can't sing and your teeth look like a grill for 78 chevy impala. Randy...........Dog what the fucks wrong with your face, Paula......lots pop some pain killers & drink some absolut.   

"Even the Losers....get lucky sometime"


You Wreck Me
Mary Jane's Last Dance
I Won't Back Down
Even The Losers
Free Fallin'
Cabin Down Below
Sweet William
End Of The Line
The Waiting
Saving Grace
Honey Bee
Face In The Crowd
Learning To Fly
Don't Come Around Here No More
Refugee

Runnin' Down A Dream
American Girl


Rudy Sarzo
The Bass Player