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Tom Petty Opens Up About George Harrison, Mudcrutch and Keeping Out of Politics

11/5/08, 5:24 pm EST

Photo: Walter/Getty

In an exclusive interview posted on his Website (conducted by fellow rocker Warren Zanes), Tom Petty talks about his Super Bowl performance, Mudcrutch and Barack Obama. On the Traveling Wilburys, Petty says “I think George [Harrison]’s move — I’m sure of it, really — had to do with the fact that he just didn’t want to be the guy up front, no matter that he had a Number One album at the time. He never wanted that. And the Wilburys gave him a way around it.”

“I think I often feel the same way. There are times I’d just like to step into the crowd, but I have to be responsible for standing up front and singing every song,” Petty says about his side project. “With Mudcrutch there’s not much pretense. They just treat me like everybody else. That makes a difference and really allows the band thing to happen in an authentic way.” As for Mudcrutch’s upcoming Extended Play Live, “I didn’t want to do a live album because I thought it would be too much of a mirror image of what we had done in the studio,” Petty says. “But when I heard things like the 15-minute version of ‘Crystal River’ from the Troubadour, my mind was changed.” As for his closely guarded presidential pick, “Right now change is certainly more necessary than it has ever been, so I do have strong feelings about an Obama victory. But I don’t go out on stage and campaign for him. I think it’s up to the individual to vote the way he or she wants.” Read the entirety of Tom Petty’s interview here.

Related Stories:

Tom Petty Blows Through Hits and Deep Cuts at MSG

Tom Petty Gets The Band Back Together to Kick Off Mudcrutch Reunion Tour in Malibu

Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers Add Heat To Memorable Super Bowl


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Comments

Spruced Bringstein | 11/8/2008, 7:07 am EST

Even Dylan could only say tongue in cheek about change. He is another class act who will let us vote for ourself; not for their candidate. I wish more rockers would act like Petty and Dylan and perform their craft without the political nonsense Joan Baez once sang to tear down the prison walls Trust me, she lives next to no violent felons.

Spruced Bringstein | 11/8/2008, 7:05 am EST

I echo what others have said: thanks for not telling me who to vote for.

The man who once stared up at the man in the mansion on the hill has become him. He abandoned his roots and his NJ accent and does not live among the people he claims to represent. I liked him much more when he was broke and said, “Bootleggers, roll your tapes!”

Spruce Bringsteen | 11/8/2008, 7:04 am EST

I echo what others have said: thanks for not telling me who to vote for.

The man who once stared up at the man in the mansion on the hill has become him. He abandoned his roots and his NJ accent and does not live among the people he claims to represent. I liked him much more when he was broke and said, “Bootleggers, roll your tapes!”

anonymous | 11/8/2008, 1:00 am EST

Thanks TP for rocking like you have forever and for not telling me who to vote for (unlike this magazine, that I used think was written for music, not political, news) - neither Obama or McCain told me what music to listen too.

Nick Bridwell | 11/7/2008, 11:42 am EST

This article proves again why Tom Petty is my favorite rocker. He is a busy man and still has time to kick back and let us know what is going on. I can’t wait until we get to check out the next Heartbreakers album. I’ve been telling my friends for years how talented this guy is, but being in my 20s a lot of people would rather listen to crap. I think it is awesome they are finally catching on. The man listens to modern bands also which is smart, because he gets to see his legacy first hand in their music. Guess we’ll have to be patient until the next album…but like they say,”…the waiting is the hardest part.”

Nick Bridwell | 11/7/2008, 11:42 am EST

This article proves again why Tom Petty is my favorite rocker. He is a busy man and still has time to kick back and let us know what is going on. I can’t wait until we get to check out the next Heartbreakers album. I’ve been telling my friends for years how talented this guy is, but being in my 20s a lot of people would rather listen to crap. I think it is awesome they are finally catching on. The man listens to modern bands also which is smart, because he gets to see his legacy first hand in their music. Guess we’ll have to be patient until the next album…but like they say,”…the waiting is the hardest part.”

Nick Bridwell | 11/7/2008, 11:42 am EST

This article proves again why Tom Petty is my favorite rocker. He is a busy man and still has time to kick back and let us know what is going on. I can’t wait until we get to check out the next Heartbreakers album. I’ve been telling my friends for years how talented this guy is, but being in my 20s a lot of people would rather listen to crap. I think it is awesome they are finally catching on. The man listens to modern bands also which is smart, because he gets to see his legacy first hand in their music. Guess we’ll have to be patient until the next album…but then again,”…the waiting is the hardest part.”

Jungleland2 | 11/6/2008, 5:37 pm EST

Tom Petty is a class act in every way. I have seen every tour since “Rock and Roll Caravan” in 1987? and he is always great. Leave the politics at home and have a rock and roll revival!

Thanks Tom | 11/6/2008, 10:09 am EST

I am so sick and tired or D-bags like Pete Wentz and P-Diddy telling me how to vote. Thanks Tom for letting me form my own opinion.

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