Tom Petty spits out the truth

[Guest cynicalprofit]

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/newsartic...id=16913&cf=399

 

 

Tom Petty Is Pissed

 

And he's got plenty of good reasons

 

"I Won't Back Down," "Don't Do Me Like That" and "Don't Come Around Here No More" doesn't need any assertiveness-training course. Tom Petty's determined, sometimes defiant attitude has collided with the music business throughout the years. For instance, in 1982 Petty recorded Hard Promises with the Heartbreakers, only to find that his then-record company had plans to use his name to initiate a new, higher $9.98 list price for albums. Petty withheld the tapes and threatened to retitle his record $8.98 in protest.

 

That same spirit is alive and well on Petty's latest album, The Last DJ, which takes a hard look at the lack of moral grounding in the music business. The title track has kicked up considerable controversy, with some radio stations seeing the song as a slap in the face and banning it. But Petty is not just biting the hand that feeds him. Music is only the beginning of what's pissing him off these days. "The Last DJ is a story about morals more than the music business," he says. "It's really about vanishing personal freedoms."

 

1 Radio is not even worth listening to

"I don't really give a flying fuck about any of it. I've tuned out. But I was elated when my song was banned. I mean, nothing could have complimented me more than to hear they just banned it at such-and-such a station because it's anti-radio. Now, in 2002 to have a song banned that doesn't have a dirty word, doesn't advocate violence -- it's fascinating, you know. Like, what are you afraid of? No record has ever been made that was more pro-radio, you know.

 

"I remember when the radio meant something. We enjoyed the people who were on it, even if we hated them. They had personalities. They were people of taste, who we trusted. And I see that vanishing. I thought it was a good metaphor to start the album."

 

2 All anyone thinks about is money

"You don't hear any more of, 'Hey, we did something creative and we turned a profit, how about that?' Everywhere we look, we want to make the most money possible. This is a dangerous, corrupt notion. That's where you see the advent of programming on the radio, and radio research, all these silly things. That has made pop music what it is today. Everything -- morals, truth -- is all going out the window in favor of profit.

 

"I don't think it's a good attitude in your life to feel that you have to be rich to have self-esteem. You know, I saw a billboard in New York I wish I had photographed. It was for the TNN network. It said three words against a patriotic background of red, white and blue - BIGGER, YOUNGER, RICHER. Now, I find that fascinating: 'Bigger, younger, richer.' This whole idea of being wealthy has gone too far. I never ride in a limousine, you know. I feel gross if I get in a limousine. One good thing about the Sixties was it sort of was the opposite back then. You looked silly trying to appear rich."

 

3 It's ridiculous to make people pay twenty dollars for a CD

"It's funny how the music industry is enraged about the Internet and the way things are copied without being paid for. But you know why people steal the music? Because they can't afford the music. I'm not condoning downloading music for free. I don't think that's really fair, but I understand it. If you brought CD prices back down to $8.98, you would solve a lot of the industry's problems. You are already seeing it a little -- the White Stripes albums selling for $9.99. Everyone still makes a healthy profit; it might get the music business back on its feet."

 

4 Only a complete greedhead would charge $150 for a concert ticket

"My top price is about sixty-five dollars, and I turn a very healthy profit on that; I make millions on the road. I see no reason to bring the price up, even though I have heard many an anxious promoter say, 'We could charge 150 bucks for this.' I would like to do this again and maybe come through and not leave a bad taste in people's mouths. I was at one of our gigs recently, and I was just stunned driving in that it cost thirty dollars to park your car. It's so wrong to say, 'OK, we've got them on the ticket and we've got them on the beer and we've got on everything else, let's get them on the damn parking.' You got to care about the person you're dealing with."

 

5 Record labels don't care about artists

"An act like ours wouldn't even be around today if someone hadn't brought us along and let us make mistakes and grow at our own pace. Today it seems that if you don't have a hit -- or even if you do -- they have no use for you the next time. It's like, 'Well, why wait for these guys to come back with another hit when we can bring in somebody else?' It's an asinine way to conduct yourself. These people are looking at balance sheets, not music. Most people involved in putting this music on the air or bringing it to us aren't really listening to it."

 

6 Filthy lyrics make me sick

"I'm frustrated by what I hear. Maybe it's not meant for me. Personally, I'm way too bright for a lot of the hip-hop lyrics to affect. I'm much too smart to think that jewelry or how cool I am is really going to change much about my personality. If you're dumb enough that it entertains you, have a great time. But I am seeking more than that.

 

"When I was a young rock & roll star, I was really fascinated and shocked at times by the power that I had, by the power of my words, and shocked that it can be taken wrong. I don't believe in censorship, but I do believe that an artist has to take some moral responsibility for what he or she is putting out there. And I think a lot of these young kids are going to have to learn the hard way before they realize that you can actually do some damage if you're being careless or frivolous in what you're saying."

 

7 Only a sick culture would sexualize young girls

"It's disgusting. It's not just pop music, it's fashion, it's TV, it's advertising, it's every element of our culture. Young women are not being respected, children aren't being respected. Why are we creating a nation of child molesters? Could it be that we're dressing up nine-year-old women to look sexy? And even if we're wrong, let's not do it anyway. I really don't put it past these advertising people to say, 'Well, look, we made a lot of money when we brought the nine-year-old out and made her look like a hooker. Let's do it again.' "

 

8 Why are we rewarding people for being rich?

"Getting back to the whole issue of ticket prices: We don't do the Golden Circle/VIP thing. I don't see how carving out the best seats and charging a lot more for them has anything to do with rock & roll. A lot of the time, some corporation's bought up these seats with someone's money who doesn't even know it's being spent -- and they are going to use it to entertain clients. A lot of the people who buy these seats don't give a damn about the music -- they're going to get a waiter. What you see from the stage is a group of people just talking to each other, not really interested in being there at all. And the poor guy who really is interested, he's sitting way in the back."

 

9 And TV is worse

"I think television's become a downright dangerous thing. It has no moral barometer whatsoever. If you want to talk about something that is all about money, just watch the television. It's damn dangerous. TV does not care about you or what happens to you. It's downright bad for your health now, and that's not a far-out concept. I think watching the TV news is bad for you. It is bad for your physical health and your mental health. The music business looks like, you know, innocent schoolboys compared to the TV business. They care about nothing but profit. They will make a movie about murdering their kids, you know? And they'll put the guy who killed them on TV. And before long, he might even have his own show."

 

10 A lot of artists are as greedy as the industry

"Let me say this so it's definitely in the story: I don't think the industry is entirely to blame. Let's face it: The music industry has always been laughably corrupt, always. It's the artists themselves that often cause problems. Artists aren't necessarily business people. And they aren't neces-sarily aware of all the things that go on in their names. Some just want to make some music, but there is a lot of greed among artists as well. Whether or not we know it, we are all to blame. I think it's time -- starting with the artist -- to try to be a little more responsible and aware of what goes on in our name."

 

Watch "The Last DJ"

 

DAVID WILD

(October 23, 2002)

 

 

They banned his song because its anti radio, who says they dont oppress anyone who speaks against their precious music.

[Guest Ravenbomb]

Damn Straight, Tell 'em Tommy!

[Guest redbaron51]

he is right about what is happening in the music industry, and I back him up 100% on all of his views.

[Guest CED Ordonez]

Tom Petty is officially my hero and I shall now send him money directly for the music of his that I have attained through the Internet.

[Guest Kotzenjunge]

Throw this into Music, please.

 

Kotzenjunge

Will Never Care What Celebrities Have to Say

[Guest J*ingus]

When he's right he's right. It takes guts, in such a greedy industry, to publicly say "I only charged half price, and I STILL made money!"

 

But as for moving it, yeah, you're right.

[Guest cynicalprofit]

I was unsure if i could put it in music or not, so I went for it, sorry Jingus. He was talking about the current state of the music industry.

[Guest Respect The 'Taker]

Geez, is THAT guy bitter. Maybe he's just mad at the world because his latest album SUCKS DICK!?

 

Up until his latest trash heap, he would have easily been in my top 3 favourite artists.

 

Pfft, GNR he ain't...Where'd i stick GNR Lies?...

 

Illusion

[Guest The Metal Maniac]

You know, he makes a strong case about the overcharged CD's and concert tickets.

 

I mean, if you make someone pay $150 bucks for a show, and the show is mediocre, why would they come back down the road for another $150?

 

BUT, if the same show is only $30-$40, then people would be more likely to part with that money again, even if the show was only mediocre last time. After all, it's only $30, not $150.

 

And with CD's, well, not many people wanna drop $20 on them, period. But you make them half that, even if it means the industry is only making a tiny profit on each CD...they're STILL gonna make money. Everyone's gonna be buying CD's at $10, because at that price, the packaging and the convience (Don't have to do all the downloads, plus the burning) is probably going to be enough to make most people say "Sure, I'll buy it."

 

So you got a small group buying at $20, and a huge group buying at $10. I think it's calling "making it up on volume" or something like that.

 

It works for Wal-Mart.

[Guest Lord of The Curry]

Guns N' Roses only wish they could be the genius that is Tom F'n Petty. You'd be bitter too if you saw something that you once loved get flushed down the shitter because of greed, stupid lyrics and t and a.

[Guest cynicalprofit]

I find it strange that Tom's views are the same as mine, but around here, Im an idiot when I say the same stuff. But thats just me.

[Guest LooseCannon]

I must've missed the line where Tom Petty talked about how the cops were going to start arresting people for drinking Coke.

 

I also must've missed the line where he whined about the corporations who make him watch commercials on tv, or where he said advertisements aren't protected by the first amendment.

 

I also must've missed the part where he continually ranted off-topic while discussing the previous subjects.

 

But that's just me.

 

You fucking idiot.

[Guest Respect The 'Taker]

Guns N' Roses only wish they could be the genius that is Tom F'n Petty. You'd be bitter too if you saw something that you once loved get flushed down the shitter because of greed, stupid lyrics and t and a.

Ahh..yeah.

 

What we CAN do, is compare Tom Petty's latest "work", if you wanna call it that, with GNR last studio album of raw material, a.k.a - Use Your Illusion. Hmm...like i NEED to tell you who wins THAT.

 

Like i said, i love Tom Petty, he fucking RULES...i was just stating that his most recent album blows...hard.

 

Illusion - Still a GNR Fan

[Guest redbaron51]

actually Petty's new album isn't half bad, but I wouldn't say that it is his best.

 

But c'mon do you really think Chinese Democracy will do that well also?

[Guest SlaytanicTapeTrades]

But c'mon do you really think Chinese Democracy will do that well also?

No it wont. Why?

Cause its not GNR its the Axl rose band.

One thing I am sure of tho they are gonna bee making a HELL of alot of $$$$$$ on this tour.

Didnt they liek sell out almost all their shows out in Europe?

& I know that the show tomorrow nite in Vancouver is sold out.

[Guest godthedog]

Guns N' Roses only wish they could be the genius that is Tom F'n Petty. You'd be bitter too if you saw something that you once loved get flushed down the shitter because of greed, stupid lyrics and t and a.

Ahh..yeah.

 

What we CAN do, is compare Tom Petty's latest "work", if you wanna call it that, with GNR last studio album of raw material, a.k.a - Use Your Illusion. Hmm...like i NEED to tell you who wins THAT.

 

Like i said, i love Tom Petty, he fucking RULES...i was just stating that his most recent album blows...hard.

 

Illusion - Still a GNR Fan

to better compare, shouldn't we set 'use your illusion' against something he was doing, you know, WAY BACK IN 1991? what's the purpose of saying some artist is deteriorating and comparing them to some other artist who self-destructed even before the age of 40? if that's the case, i can argue that jeff buckley was better than the rolling stones, cause his last (and only) album was a classic & the last stones album sucked.

 

see how this gets a tad illogical?

 

and tom, why the fuck are you charging sixty-five dollars for concert tickets? that in itself is way too much. plenty of people already pay more than $65, even if the ticket prices are lower. i ended up paying over a hundred bucks to see a $30 ween show because of hotel & travel expenses. if you make such a healthy profit, why don't you turn it down to about $40?

[Guest Midnight Express83]

I may not be a fan of his music. But I have to give credit to a smart man like him which point blank puts the truth out.

[Guest cynicalprofit]

My views on music are the same as his, LC, yet people say Im an idiot for that.

 

As long as you're tagging me around and insulting me, scream faggot.

[Guest LooseCannon]

FAGGOT~!

 

there ya go, buddy.

[Guest Incandenza]

Now, boys....

[Guest cynicalprofit]

Again daddy, harder.

[Guest Respect The 'Taker]

But c'mon do you really think Chinese Democracy will do that well also?

No it wont. Why?

Cause its not GNR its the Axl rose band.

One thing I am sure of tho they are gonna bee making a HELL of alot of $$$$$$ on this tour.

Didnt they liek sell out almost all their shows out in Europe?

& I know that the show tomorrow nite in Vancouver is sold out.

I honestly think it will. Axl is a perfectionist, he has been working on this thing for YEARS and millions has gone into its production. This thing just HAS to pay off.

 

Their recent tour is makin' the $$$, in fact, they sold out MSG in 15 minutes.

 

To dismiss GNR's sucess because AXL is in it, is stupid. What about Buckethead? Have you HEARD that guy play? The whole band is very talented, and just like Axl said, it's gonna be REAL sweet when every bastard that doubted them eat their words upon the release of Chinese Democracy.

 

Tom Petty's 'The last DJ' is totally off the wall and directionless. Listen to the guy SING on that album, he sounds like he is wandering in a dark room with no idea where he is headed. He's lost and so is the album.

 

Illusion - G N' F'N R's!

[Guest NoCalMike]

Funny, first time I heard this song was before a movie at the movie theater, and as most people were yapping away and even people who liked the "music" part of it, had NO IDEA the message behind the song. As I was listening to the song, I just had a huge grin on my face to know this song somehow made it to the movie theater backround music. I couldn't stop thinking about the FUCKED-UP music industry for the rest of the day.

[Guest Plushy Al Logan]

But c'mon do you really think Chinese Democracy will do that well also?

No it wont. Why?

Cause its not GNR its the Axl rose band.

One thing I am sure of tho they are gonna bee making a HELL of alot of $$$$$$ on this tour.

Didnt they liek sell out almost all their shows out in Europe?

& I know that the show tomorrow nite in Vancouver is sold out.

I honestly think it will. Axl is a perfectionist, he has been working on this thing for YEARS and millions has gone into its production. This thing just HAS to pay off.

 

Their recent tour is makin' the $$$, in fact, they sold out MSG in 15 minutes.

 

To dismiss GNR's sucess because AXL is in it, is stupid. What about Buckethead? Have you HEARD that guy play? The whole band is very talented, and just like Axl said, it's gonna be REAL sweet when every bastard that doubted them eat their words upon the release of Chinese Democracy.

 

Tom Petty's 'The last DJ' is totally off the wall and directionless. Listen to the guy SING on that album, he sounds like he is wandering in a dark room with no idea where he is headed. He's lost and so is the album.

 

Illusion - G N' F'N R's!

Holy Shit!

 

G N R is back, I just bought one of their CDs last week for nostalgic purposes. Are they coming out with a new album?

[Guest Lethargic]

I just want to know what world he's living in where he thinks 65 dollars for a concert ticket is NOT a rip off and 150 IS a rip off. For 65 dollars I'll just edit crowd noise into the CD and listen to it at home while giving a drunk 5 dollars to stand next to me and sing along with every song off key.

[Guest cynicalprofit]

Ill pay 65 for a ticket, if they guy on stage has come back from the dead for 1 night only.

[Guest The Czech Republic]

$65 isn't bad, the tickets for The Who that I almost got were astronomical.

[Guest Lethargic]

$65 isn't bad, the tickets for The Who that I almost got were astronomical.

Shit if it ain't bad. 65 dollars for two hours of music?? Yeah, that's bad. 25 is as high as I'm gonna go no matter how bad I want to see somebody. If you want to take somebody with you that's 130 dollars. Just to see a glorified bar band.

[Guest cynicalprofit]

Anything more then 25 is a ripoff.

 

Wasnt kiss final tour tickets like over 100 each?

[Guest El Satanico]

$65 for good seats for a well known performer isn't bad and i'm pretty sure he was speaking of the good seats. It would still have cheap $30 or under tickets.