If anything I should have posted about Tom Petty's death before this. This blog is named after the second track from the Highway Companion album, and it's a song that marked a very transitional time in my life. I'd recently moved to New York City, was with my RNR in a completely dysfunctional relationship, changing jobs, and still trying to find any sort of stability at 27 years old.

I'd erased my old blog, which I started in 2002 and continued through part of 2006, and this was a clearing of the slate. A new URL that very few people knew about as I'd gone through some very serious changes of who I wanted to know the truth about the chaos I was enduring. And that encapsulated it perfectly.

Square one, my slate is clear
Rest your head on me, my dear.
It took a world of trouble, it took a world of tears.
It took a long time to get back here.

I went to Amsterjam that year on Randall's Island, and saw Tom Petty and Dave Grohl rock out together as it was raining on the crowd. No umbrella; no need at a concert. Just revel in the feeling and throw away any restraint to move to the music. Petty was amazing, and I was so glad that I went even though my RNR cancelled last minute, since it was an experience I still remember with a thrill.

And now, for him to die so suddenly after finishing what he had said would be his last major tour was just heartbreaking (pun intended). The Traveling Wilburys, the Heartbreakers, his solo works, the way that his music has become legend even before his death make it even more tragic. He lived to work and loved performing, you could tell it was something he never would have completely given up, and all those who have been touched by his lyrics or cherished seeing him live will miss him.

He was gone too soon, but his legacy will remain, even here at the top of this blog.