Q 13

PLAYBOY: What was the first thing you bought when you finally had enough money to buy anything you wanted?

Tom Petty: A Camaro. I had been driving a rented Camaro, and I liked it. So I went to this car lot and said, "I want to see your Camaros." They were all pretty much the same color, so I just got in and checked out all the radios. Then I paid the guy cash and was broke again. I learned later that paying cash for anything is real stupid, but it was a rush to say, "I want that one."

Q 14

PLAYBOY: How has your attitude toward women changed in your songs since the early days? Do you really like them?

Tom Petty: I like women more than I used to. But I don't want to get so hung up that I can't write some sexy fuck song. I hate women raising hell about The Rolling Stones' songs. Those songs don't give women shit; they're just good rock 'n' roll. I have lots of women friends, but I've never gotten much into women's liberation. I've always thought it was boring. In fact, I've written a lot of songs about this one character--a small-town chick who knows there's more out there for her but doesn't know how to get at it. And she gets fucked up trying. The American girl. I've always felt sympathetic toward her. She was, as I've said, raised on promises.

Q 15

PLAYBOY: What should women know about men that they don't?

Tom Petty: Women know more than they let on most of the time.

Q 16

PLAYBOY: What's in your pockets now?

Tom Petty: I've never been asked that question. Let's see--$35, 55 cents, two guitar picks and the keys to the Jag.

Q 17

PLAYBOY: How did you feel at Winterland in 1978, when you were pulled off the stage by adoring fans?

Tom Petty: I honestly thought I was dead. I know they loved me, but they were trying to kill me. I watched a video tape of the whole thing later, and though it didn't take so long on tape, I thought I was down there for an eternity. My roadie, Bugs, dived in--"crowd swimming," he calls it. I could see him about five layers of people away. Our eyes met for a moment, and he gave me an "I don't know if I can get you" look. I've noticed that I can't get near an audience as Bruce Springsteen does. They rip me up. Bruce can walk through them. I think they look at him as their buddy. With me, there seem to be some violent or sexual vibes. I'm the last guy on earth to be violent. But there is a definite sexual thing to the show. Girls enjoy it tremendously.

Q 18

PLAYBOY: What are you listening to these days?

Tom Petty: I bought the last Police album. Otherwise, there's been nothing lately. I'll always go back and buy another Roy Orbison collection, though.

Q 19

PLAYBOY: Are you still writing songs about your wife?

Tom Petty: Not all the time. That would be boring, you know? If you write romantic songs, there's so much to draw from. I just keep my eyes open. Of course, I have been fortunate, from a writer's standpoint, in having a pretty wild relationship. I've been thrown out and I've been brought back in. We've been on and we've been off. But usually, I draw on other people's experiences. I don't like to get too autobiographical, because I don't feel I'm that interesting. Even when I do, I never do it graphically.

Q 20

PLAYBOY: Mick Jagger used to say he didn't want to be doing what he was doing when he was 40. He is. Elvis was. Will you?

Tom Petty: I'll do it as long as I can. I don't see any reason to quit. I don't see myself going into insurance sales. I've been fired from every job I've ever had except playing music. So as long as somebody is willing to listen. I'll do it. Hell, Muddy Waters is only 67.