Runnin' Down A Dream

While the rest of us have been going on about our business getting old and gray, singer/songwriter/artist Tom Petty has stealthily managed, through sheer dint of will, talent, and perseverance, to conquer the music industry one small step at a time. More interesting still, while in possession of enough ego to make it all happen, Petty, lo these last long three decades, continues to work as a collaborator with his real, authentic (meaning not just hired musicians) bandmates, The Heartbreakers.

Along with their serious musical chops, Tom and the band are known as music video innovators, using the advent of MTV, which happened to coincide with their debut, to their advantage as well. Their videos most always are contributions beyond just the music, they are additional artistic achievements in and of themselves.

This whole amazing epic is chronicled in a movie currently premiering on The Sundance Channel, directed by Peter Bodganovich**, called "Runnin' Down a Dream". The S-Man and I took it in a few nights ago, and were riveted for the full four-hour running time of the film.

I can't recommend the movie highly enough. It is a fitting tribute to and fascinating look at an artist and a band that have earned their legendary status and continue to produce quality original music, not to mention play their asses off while seemingly remaining true to themselves. A rare acccomplishment indeed these days.

For now at least, I don't think the film can be seen anywhere but the Sundance Channel. The next airing is scheduled for November 3rd (today!). Check the schedule here.


**[An aside (because I have no control as you well know by now): Director Bogdanovich, is perhaps best known for his Oscar winning film, The Last Picture Show, but is also known for his affair with Cybill Shephard during the making of the movie and then his engagement, back in the 80's, to Playboy Playmate Dorothy Stratton. Sadly, Sratton was murdered by her crazed ex-husband before Bogdanovich got around to marrying her. After Dorothy's death, The P-Bog blithely moved on to initiating a relationship with Sratton's sister, a teenager at the time--he was in his thirties. I don't make this crap up, but I figure you'd want to know.]