I found this article ages ago and absolutely loved it. Tom Petty has never been one to simmer quietly in the background, but he doesn’t just unleash rubbish when he’s frustrated by something: there’s some thought behind these statements despite their rather abrupt tone.

It varies in topic, some quite closely related to the music industry, others fairly broadly about popular culture. See what you think for yourself, I’d be interested in hearing your comments.

TEN REASONS WHY TOM PETTY IS [...] ABOUT THE MUSIC BUSINESS

The man who told the world “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 [...]ing 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.”

Update: I didn’t realise the article was still in print online. You can head over and read it here. Minor language warning, kids.