Tom Petty

When my record company rejected 'Full Moon Fever', I was hurt so bad. I was pretty far along in my career at that point. I'd never had anything rejected; I'd never really even had a comment. So when that happened, it was really just a board to the forehead. But then, finally, I picked myself up.

I developed a problem with authority. Any time that authority was what I interpreted as being unjust, I stood up to it, and that became my personality.

I don't know, my music has always just come from where the wind blew me. Like where I'm at during a particular moment in time.

Music really isn’t supposed to be perfect. It’s all about people relating to each other and doing something that’s really from the soul. It must come from the soul.

It's hard for me... If I don't have a project going, I don't feel like I'm connected to anything. I don't even think it's that healthy for me. I like to get out of bed and have a purpose.

I think for it to be hip to be idealistic is weird, you know? I mean, even all the best rebels to me, had some sense of hope in them.

Yeah, the world would swing if I were king._x000D_ _x000D_ Can I help it if I still dream time to time?

Yeah and it's over before you know it It all goes by so fast Yeah the bad nights take forever And the good nights don't ever seem to last

And the days went by like paper in the wind. Everything changed, then changed again. It's hard to find a friend. It's hard to find a friend.

I don't think it's a good attitude in your life to feel that you have to be rich to have self-esteem.

You belong somewhere you feel free.

If you listen long enough you can hear my skin grow tough love is painful to the touch must be made of stronger stuff.

There used to be this real sense of community integrity in rock. It has really eroded. Everyone seems to be on their own now.

I think television's become a downright dangerous thing. It has no moral barometer whatsoever. If you want to talk about something that is all about money, just watch the television.

You were the one who made things different, you were the one who took me in. You were the one thing I could count on, above all, you were my friend.

I have turned down a lot of money for things that would have made me feel cheesy.

When you kill somebody's little sister with a missile, he's going to hate you forever. And the next generation will hate you even more.

Making a record? You've got to have the song, then you create a record. I think it's the same with a live performance. If the material is strong, you're already 90% there. I always tell young people it's all about the music, the songs. Work on the songs, work on the songs, work on the songs.

The great thing about the Wilburys was that none of us had to take the heat by ourselves. I was just a member of the band. Nobody felt like he was above anybody else. We had such a good time.

No matter how long you play the guitar, there's always something else to learn.

You get into your late fifties, people start falling like flies all around you. I don't take life for granted any more. I'm really glad to be here.