From the archives: Tom Petty breaks down 10 of his songs, including big hits and obscure gems
(NOTE: Singer-songwriter Tom Petty has died at age 66. In advance of the Heartbreakers' 2002 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Petty commented on then-Times pop music critic Robert Hilburn's 10 favorite Petty songs. This article was originally published on March 15, 2002.)
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Tom Petty's music has always reflected the purity and faith of a musician who had the courage and conviction to simply listen to his heart.
Rather than tailor his style to better fit critical or commercial trends, the singer-songwriter and his band the Heartbreakers have remained true, in themes and presentation, to the basic rock 'n' roll tradition that they learned from the records of such classic figures as Elvis Presley, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Byrds and Bob Dylan.
On Monday in New York City, Petty and the Heartbreakers will join those and other early heroes as members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Jakob Dylan will induct them in a ceremony whose taped highlights will be broadcast at 9 p.m. Wednesday by VH1. Other inductees this year include Isaac Hayes, Brenda Lee, Gene Pitney, the Ramones and Talking Heads.
"I feel like a lucky man," Petty, 51,
