Not Losing Integrity

Barry Drake wrote me back this morning. I wrote Barry yesterday after posting the article below. I was curious to know in what context Tom Petty was used in his lectures.

Hi Sean,I deal with Tom Petty in 3 places in my Lectures. In the late 70s as an early "Heartland American Rocker" (along with John Cougar Mellencamp, Bruce Springsteen and Bob Seger) and then again in the early 80s as someone who learned how to deal with MTV and videos without losing his musical integrity. I also talk about how his move to California broke him out of the "Southern Rock" genre and broadened his appeal and his longevity. I also do a section on The Traveling Wilbury's in the late 80s. So as you can see he makes 3 appearences in my lectures. Not bad for a kid from Gainesville!!!!!

Barry is also from Florida. You can catch his lectures in several Universities around the Country. See link in story below.

80's Rock Music In The Video Age

As the 80s began there was a well needed burst of energy in rock & roll. The 70s had left us disappointed, exhausted and questioning whether anything positive and new could come from a 25 year old music form. Fortunately, the 80s proved that rock & roll was capable of reinventing itself with new music styles, artists and attitudes. We couldn't go back to the 60s, so we charged head first into the unknown territory of the 80s and held on for a bumpy ride.

The decade began with the election of Ronald Reagan and the death of John Lennon. On a more uplifting note, MTV and compact discs gave us a new way to experience the music of Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, U2, R.E.M., Michael Jackson, Tom Petty, The Police, Run DMC, Prince, Aerosmith and yes, even Milli Vanilli. Rock & roll was back, alive and well, but it sure had changed.

80s Rock - Music In The Video Age will take us on an exciting trip through rock's fourth decade.

Mr. Drake will be at Wake Forest on the 30th. Click here for Barry Drake's website.