Nicks applauded Petty's brave decision to finish his 40th Anniversary Tour, concluding with a parting word that was felt by so many who knew and loved him. These kinds of things set up a dynamic, Tench, now 68, says. Tench also discusses why he says that Wildflowers wasnt really a solo album, the unreleased songs that are still in the vault, and his reluctance to ever perform as The Heartbreakers again. Best known as the longtime pianist and keyboard player for Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Benmont Tench is one of rock's most respected instrumentalists, as he's guested on countless recordings by other artists. Brown, currently on tour with Phish, has been Tench's keyboard tech for 31 of these years, but has remarkably seen little change in the vintage-minded keyboardist's live rig during that time. I have always been a Tom Petty fan, and only recently have discovered how wonderful a lyricist and singer Benmont is (in addition to his more renowned Piano/keyboard skills). found in his home unconscious, not breathing. His father, he said, "took a belt and beat the living sh*t out of me." In the late evening of October 1, Tom Petty "was found unconscious, not breathing and in full cardiac arrest" at his home in Malibu, California, according toTMZ. It let me not go, 'Holy s--t. My world is fallen apart.' Born in Florida in 1950, Petty endured an abusive home life. There was an inner force driving him.". He grew up, in order, in California, Arkansas, Kentucky and Oregon. Seller assumes all responsibility for this listing. Tench has worked extensively with other musicians, playing keyboards on hundreds of songs on albums such as Stevie Nicks' Bella Donna, Bob Dylan's Shot of Love, along with other musical greats such as Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Alanis Morissette, Eurythmics, Fiona Apple, U2, X (American band) among many more. he wondered. (Photo by Eva Mueller), Tom Petty with guitarist Mike Campbell and bassist Howie Epstein in the new documentary Tom Petty, Somewhere You Feel Free: The Making of Wildflowers, which debuts on YouTube on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021. "[T]hat was my singer," Tench said of Tom. But it was an extraordinary experience. Thats not how the Heartbreakers worked. No. His collaborator and bandmate of over 40 years, Tom Petty, was in the hospital, after being found in his home unconscious, not breathing and in full cardiac arrest. Sites: benmonttench.com, Facebook, Twitter, instagram.com, Wikipedia, musicianbio.org, famousbirthdays.com, geni.com In Groups: ), Tom Petty as seen in the new documentary Tom Petty, Somewhere You Feel Free: The Making of Wildflowers, which debuts on YouTube Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021. Benmont played piano from an early age, and his first recital was at age 6. Within a month, Petty was sick, too, suffering from bronchitis and laryngitis. But shortly after discovering the Beatles, Tench turned his back on lessons and focused on '60s rock & roll. Search. But not Tom." In May, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers spent two nights playing Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, a gorgeous natural rock formation with a built-in outdoor theater which has featured musical entertainment since 1941, according toColorado Encyclopedia. It was magical. While Tench's career also brought him gigs with other legends like Stevie Nicks, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and Cyndi Lauper, his main priority was always Tom and the Heartbreakers. Billboardreported on the event, which featured over three hours of performances by such music greats as the Bangles, the Foo Fighters, George Strait, Jeff Lynne, Randy Newman, and Petty's longtime friend, Stevie Nicks. [15] He also played on three songs from The Who's album WHO, released in December 2019. He was not well." Raitt nailed this staggeringly intimate ballad in one take. As time passed, their world divided into band life, which orbited around Petty as singer and songwriter, and their own lives with wives and children, side projects and outside interests. It saved me, having my daughter. "I look back on that and what a magical moment that was," Nicks remembered. It would last several months. Tom would want you to do that. Well, I dont want to do that. In the years following, the two often performed together and were known to make special appearances at one another's concerts. Nowadays the Heartbreakers play live in a rehearsal space with floor monitors, and Tom turns his mic around to face the band. Sweet, Sweet Baby (Im Falling) Lone Justice. WORKSHOPS HEALTH-WELLNESS. It felt very, very real. Joe Walsh kicked things off before the band opened with an old favorite, "Rockin' Around (With You)," from their debut album so many years ago. Benmont Tench was born in Gainesville, Florida, USA on Monday, September 7, 1953 (Baby Boomers Generation). He was born in Gainesville, Florida (September . Join Insider Sign In. So I started monkeying around on the piano. Even as Tom Petty and his band rocked the house, however, the last two songs on the final night (via Slate),September 25, show Petty visibly lumbering across the stage and limping off after signing a few autographs. Heartbreakers keyboardist Benmont Tench said the birth of his daughter two months after the death of Tom Petty had prevented him from falling apart. Benmont Tench 03.08.14 13 12 Wks 03.08.14 2 View full chart history Sign Up. The band's eponymous debut album, released in 1976, initially caused little stir in the United States, but the single "Breakdown" was a smash in Britain, and, when it was re-released Its a lovely way to record. Produced by Glyn Johns (The Who, Eric Clapton, Eagles, The Beatles), "Lucky" spotlights Tench as smart songwriter, and a more-than-capable vocalist in the vein of Mark Knopfler, Bob Dylan and Del Amitri's Justin Currie. There are 115 days left in the year. [Laughs.] The documentary seemed to him almost the other half of that, he says. Any live gigs planned? In addition, Tench is a skilled session musician and collaborated with numerous artists. Enjoying his music right now! In October, American Songwriterannounceda mega-40th-anniversary, remastered vinyl box set that would include all 16 albums by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, as well as Petty's three solo albums (Full Moon Fever, Wildflowers, and Highway Companion). eBay item number: 255988840913. . "I listened to a lot of The Band growing up," Goldsmith said. But "the crowd definitely didn't mind as it rocked along with glee to such big numbers as 'Refugee' and 'Runnin' Down a Dream.' But I wasnt very good nonetheless, I enjoyed it, but I like the instant gratification of playing something on the piano and having the melody available to my ears., I prefer the way we play the Full Moon Fever songs live to the way they sound on the record, but the 7 million people that bought Full Moon Fever might disagree., You cant draw comparisons that somebody is as good as this, or they arent as good as that, everybody is really different., I loved Mal Evans holding one note down on You Wont See Me from Rubber Soul., There was a period when you were getting signed just because you were in a famous band; you made a record and, maybe, you didnt have anything to say., I got to play on a couple of records with the Rolling Stones, and that was really special to me., Im definitely a better musician than I was when I was 26, but I have to try to keep the mental freshness and naivet that I had then, and put in something of what Ive learned since., I try to find little things that you can do to move the song along and things that serve the song., Some people can clearly write character songs, but there is always an aspect of them in the character they are writing about., Working with Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson takes you up another level.. I think its a real piece of work. He said of Petty: Id known him since I was 17. . Petty's family further explained (viathe Tom Petty website)that on the day he died, Petty was told that his fractured hip was now broken. I love Benmont Tenchs skills as a keyboardist. He has also appeared at the Largo and at the Fillmore in San Francisco as a special guest with Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, and accompanied the Dave Rawlings Machine on part of their west coast tour in spring 2010. Adria Petty and producer Peter Afterman told her that theyd recently unearthed an archive of film shot in the mid-90s as Petty was working on Wildflowers, most of which had never before been seen, and asked Wharton if she wanted to shape it into a documentary film. "I'd watch him coming down from the stage. (Photo by Martyn Atkins, courtesy of Warner Music & Petty Legacy, LLC. The Tom Petty website recounted that after a full half-hour of rain, the storm passed as the road crew took the stage to uncover the band's gear. That, Wharton says, gave the film a more personal glimpse of both man and artist. [17] Their daughter Catherine Gabriella Winter was born on December 16, 2017.[18]. ), Tom Petty and producer Rick Rubin as seen in the new documentary Tom Petty, Somewhere You Feel Free: The Making of Wildflowers, which debuts on YouTube on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021. In 2015, the Watkins Family Hour released their debut album and went on . [] And then, of course, she turned into one of my great, great friends forever. Produced by Glyn Johns (The Who, Eric Clapton, Eagles, The Beatles), Lucky spotlights Tench as smart songwriter, and a more-than-capable vocalist in the vein of Mark Knopfler, Bob Dylan and Del Amitris Justin Currie. So I just dove into this archive of beautiful footage and incredible music. Marc Maron on Underrated Albums and Interviewing Difficult Musicians But it was an extraordinary experience. Other articles where Benmont Tench is discussed: Tom Petty: former members, Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench, joined Ron Blair and Stan Lynch to form Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers Mudcrutch. The band then launched into "Swingin'" from their 1999 album Echo, with Petty adapting some of the lyrics to fit the storm that had just passed through. Petty's death, the family said, was simply "an unfortunate accident," adding that "we recognize this report may spark a further discussion on the opioid crisis." "Many of these albums have been out of print on vinyl for years," explainedTom Petty's website. "@matthaig1 I suffer dreadfully from depression & anxiety. I was 10 when they showed upShe Loves You was just a marvel of joy and emotion. Benjamin Montmorency "Benmont" Tench III is an American keyboardist best known as a founding member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. We were shaking off the rust.". But he was far more than just a. The crowd cheered as they watched the Heartbreakers perform for the first time since 2014. I just told someone, I sing like Chet Baker if he couldnt sing. [Laughs.]. I did learn from things Tom said because he would never say, Hey Ben, come here, I want to tell you whats on my mind while Im making the album.. "The friendship between Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks was plain to see when the latter came on stage," theIndependentreported. Speaking to Billboard about the rocker's legacy, Heartbreakers keyboardist Benmont Tench elaborated on losing his friend and how he continues to cope with the sudden loss (Petty died of cardiac arrest). When Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers honored their 2017 dates at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley a few days later, Harrington seemed unimpressed. The news set off a whole new series of alarms regarding the growing opioid crisis among celebrities. [2] A garagem da famlia Tench era um local de prtica frequente para a banda noite, quando o pai de Tench no estava presente. Oops, looks like you forgot something. Mixed by Andy Wallace (Nirvana, Jeff Buckley, White Zombie), the album kicks off with the visceral Halo Of Ashes, driven by Garry Lee . We heard Slim Harpo, the Rolling Stones, Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, Ray Charles and Louis Armstrong, all back to back: Thats 40 minutes on the radio in Gainesville, Fla. in 1965. Well, he goes over to our piano, and he did that thing with the black keyswhere you roll them with your knuckles, back and forthand I was intrigued. Heartbreakers keyboardist Benmont Tench said the birth of his daughter two months after the death of Tom Petty had prevented him from falling apart. Early on its me and [drummer] Stan Lynch singing the background vocals on I Need to Know, The Waiting and Refugee. But I dont think I sing on anything else. For Recording at 7018 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California, the band received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. True North Records announces a June 25th release date for A Sweet Relief Tribute to Joey Spampinato, which features a lengthy list of friends and fans of the NRBQ founding member/bassist saluting him with 14 versions of their own previously unreleased takes of Spampinato-penned songs.. A Sweet Relief Tribute to Joey Spampinato is an inspired album recorded by an astounding group of musicians . For Wharton, the key to making the film was to look at what she had, all that beautiful archival film, and what she didnt need to repeat such going over the same ground as 2007s Runnin Down a Dream, a four-hour-long documentary by director Peter Bogdanovich. Warm thoughts of health and happiness. Benmont Tench's birthstone is Sapphire. He was the very last person. He mentions that as an artist hes always trying to get better, which isnt that surprising, but he goes on to say, Because Ive always thought of myself as not very good, she says. Tench and Tom met in high school and began playing in bands together when they were teenagers. ), Mike Campbell of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers as seen in the new documentary Tom Petty, Somewhere You Feel Free: The Making of Wildflowers, which debuts on YouTube on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021. Speaking with Rolling Stone, Tench juxtaposed the agony of Tom's death with the joy that came a few weeks later when his daughter was born. Petty, an uncomplicated, easygoing musician from Florida, would have likely laughed at that, but to millions of fans around the world, his loss was a devastating, unforeseen surprise that saddened the music world. Tench grew up in Gainesville, Florida, as the son of Mary Catherine McInnis Tench and Benjamin Montmorency Tench, Jr., a circuit court judge. (Photo by Martyn Atkins, courtesy of Warner Music & Petty Legacy, LLC. [3], He attended Phillips Exeter Academy, and subsequently Tulane University in New Orleans. Sometimes he played bass. He'd attended school with Petty and spent. On February 18, 2014, Tench released his first solo album, entitled "You Should Be So Lucky". "Plus, it took me a minute to recover from how sad it was." With Bruce Hornsby on piano and Benmont Tench of the Heartbreakers on organ, she created an unexpected pop standard, performed [] I had always been a fan of his music, but I really fell in love with him as a person.. I cant do that now. : Benjamin Montmorency Tench, III : American keyboardist and singer, born September 7, 1953 in Gainesville, Florida, USA. My parents had an ivory chess set they got in the 1940s and it was breathtaking because it had so much soul. Previous image. ), Tom Petty and producer Rick Rubin as seen in the new documentary Tom Petty, Somewhere You Feel Free: The Making of Wildflowers, which debuts on YouTube on Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. "He was going through some great pain," Wolf told Rolling Stone. I think it's important to make the distinction between those who are ill, and we all agree that it's illness, in a way that poses a threat to others, and those whose form of mental illness does not pose a threat." For his work with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers and Mudcrutch, see, [benmont-phil-lesh-friends-march-1801016], The Man with the Blue Post-Modern Fragmented Neo-Traditionalist Guitar, "Memories of Petty: How singer found way in area", "Tom Petty returns to his roots with Mudcrutch", "From Side Player to Frontman: Benmont Tench on Solo Debut, Playing With Tom Petty and Bob Dylan", "Heartbreakers, Imposters, Nickel Creekers Make The Scrolls", "Ten songs with prolific sideman Benmont Tench", "Watkins Family Hour - Debut Album out July 24th, 2015", "Wilco, R.E.M. After a few years of not much happening, they dissolved. (Photo courtesy of YouTube Originals), Tom Petty in his home studio as seen in the new documentary Tom Petty, Somewhere You Feel Free: The Making of Wildflowers, which debuts on YouTube on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021. WORKSHOPS DOG. Born . View wiki rock singer-songwriter soft rock thrilling adventure hour usa Add tags View all tags Running the gamut from retro garage rock to rain-on-the-window balladry, its a poised disc well worth checking out. He had a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame and had been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. What kind of feel did you shoot for on Lucky? "The loss of Tom Petty has just about broken my heart," she told a crowd at Radio City Music Hall that month, according toPeople. Benmont Tench III has helped create the musical fabric of hundreds of records, both as a founding member and piano/organ player of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and a session musician on . Benjamin Montmorency Tench, III Profile: American keyboardist and singer, born September 7, 1953 in Gainesville, Florida, USA. 19990000. 12848 events. At this point its absolutely blood. Nicks was so concerned about Petty that she felt he should have canceled the tour. It is straight-up true music from a straight-up true guy, he says of Wildflowers and its depiction in the film. Im trying to paint a portrait of an artist and show you his life and his work and why it matters.. Benmont Tench first started playing with Tom Petty way back in the early 1970s, in their hometown of Gainesville, Florida, in a band Petty had formed with guitar players Mike Campbell and Tom Leadon called Mudcrutch. In a new interview with Rolling Stone, he noted that hed been expecting a call about another tour instead of the call he received saying Petty was in the hospital in 2017. Thanks for your music! Petty and Tench played together as members of The Sundowners in 1964. Considering you played a key role in forming it, where do you think The Heartbreakers sound comes from? "Nothing Is Wrong" also includes the talents of Tom Petty keyboard player Benmont Tench. Eddie Vedder has unveiled a new single The Long Way - the first to be taken from his forthcoming solo album, Earthling. In addition, Tench worked as a session musician for artists like Bonnie Raitt, Neil Diamond, and Bob Dylan. Pettys death from an accidental overdose changed all that. Benmont is doing better! In addition to Tench, musicians who collaborated with Watkins Family Hour include: Tench earned most of his wealth from being part of the band Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. A lot of it is simply that his passing freed me and made me more of an adult. [16], In 1991, Tench married Canadian model Courtney Taylor. Tench attended Phillips Exeter Academy and, subsequently, Tulane University in New Orleans. Benjamin Montmorency "Benmont" Tench III (born September 7, 1953) is an American musician and singer, and a founding member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Not many keyboard players can say theyve changed rock history, and Benmont Tench is far too modest to make such a claim. Benmont Tench, who was the keyboardist for the Heartbreakers from their inception in the 1970s through Petty's death in 2017, and Ryan Ulyate, Petty's producer in his latter era and the keeper . The keys legend tells us about the idea behind the covers-heavy shows, their relationship with Bob Dylan, and bringing out deep cuts like Heartbreakers Beach Party. "Shania got to stand there with me and watch my boys.". Contents Early years Education Music career Other bands and solo career Personal life Discography Solo Session References External Links Early years Born on September 7, 1953, in Gainesville, Florida, Tench took up piano at an early age, playing recitals at the age of six. And the film, really, really brings that to light.. They were fortunate with technology, where they stretched it to a certain point but you couldnt tweak things with a computer. At age 11, Tench met Tom Petty for the first time at a Gainesville music store. The group released a self-titled album in September 2009. If you ask him on Instagram, hell likely answer you. 10. Like the ultimate sideman he is, not just to Tom Petty with his 30-something year tenure as Heartbreakers' keyboardist, but dozens of other high profile stars . 4965 events. Songs written by Tench and recorded by other artists include "You Little Thief", a top 5 UK and Australian hit for Feargal Sharkey in 1985, and "Never Be You" (co-written with Petty), which became a #1 US Country hit for Rosanne Cash, also in 1985. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. It was not the circle-of-life lesson that I wanted. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP), Tom Petty as seen in the new documentary Tom Petty, Somewhere You Feel Free: The Making of Wildflowers, which debuts on YouTube on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021. He's taught one or two classes a semester in the journalism and mass communications department at Cal State Long Beach since 2006. Petty responded, "I'll do it in a chair if I have to." He didnt fake it. Eight years later, the couple divorced. It was believed that a venomous snake would die if placed in a vessel made of sapphire. These would be Steve Nieve, of Elvis Costello & the Attractions. Tom Petty was an American actor, record producer, multi-instrumentalist, and singer-songwriter, who died one week after the completion of the Heartbreakers 40th-anniversary tour at the age of 66 (October 2, 2017) due to an accidental overuse of prescription drugs. -This amount is like what a regular computer programmer would retire with not that much, really. Petty e Tench tocaram juntos como membros do The Sundowners em 1964. After discovering the music of The Beatles, he ended his classical piano lessons and focused on rock and roll. Nothing felt at all manipulated or edited to be a certain version of a story. On the eve of its Feb. 18 release, Tench talked to Reverb about the new effort, his favorite gear, his time with Tom Petty, and his love of a Liverpool band that changed his life. Your purchases help youth music programs get the gear they need to make music. Best known as a founding member of Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers . Sep 7, 2022 Born on this day in 1953, Benjamin Montmorency " Benmont" Tench III, the American musician and singer, best known as keyboardist and a founding member of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, turns 69. Next . Afterwards, he sat in with the band on several different sessions, then went back to school. Previous image. The Heartbreakers' last stop on the tour was a three-day stint at the Hollywood Bowl in September. He released his debut solo album, You Should Be So Lucky, in . Sometimes you work with somebody youve never heard of because you just feel like working., My father told me one day when I was maybe ten, just playing the piano, Youre playing too much. He said it kindly, and he was right., I went to college and majored in Art. And on the band's first night out at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers performed to a more-than-pleased crowd, according toJambase. He says he's open to the idea of playing with the others in various groupings, but that things simply aren't the same without Petty. Although the stance was somewhat typical of Petty in concert, there was definitely more to it that night. So its like the maiden voyage of the Titanic, and the goal is not to hit the iceberg. Earned a master's degree at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. Benmont Tench at Rockwood Music Hall Stage 2, New York, NY, USA Artist: Benmont Tench , Venue: Rockwood Music Hall Stage 2 , New York, NY, USA The Groom's Still Waiting at the Altar Love Will Tear Us Apart Back in the U.S.A. Tom Petty's decision was a huge gamble Billboardindicatesthat 637,671 tickets were sold, grossing $61 million for the tour. Benmont did so much great work Hope he is otherwise okay. Latest News Publishing BMG to Admin George Harrison's Publishing, Expands Dark Horse Records Partnership By . The meeting "kicked off my love of music," according to Petty, who would later say that "I'd never thought much about rock n' roll until that moment." Its family. (Photo by Robert Sebree, courtesy of Warner Music & Petty Legacy, LLC. " But Harrington apparently didn't see what Peter Wolf of the J. Geils Band, who opened the concert, saw. Tench isn't sure if there are any plans release further vault material, since "the cat who knows where everything is buried." Looking back, Petty still expressed shock at the incident. Benmont Tench first met Tom Petty in a Gainesville, Florida music shop. I have no bloody idea! "Should the Bowl just get them on the books now?" According toThe Sound, Petty would later recall that when Nicks first befriended him, "We were a little wary of Stevie. I love playing with the Heartbreakers but with them, I can just play piano and hide behind it. News; Watch Live; Local News; Traffic; National; World; Entertainment After the MusiCares gala, according toPeople,Nicks said Petty was " talking to me about how important it was to him. We had this conversation with Mike and Ben and Rick Rubin that was a little bit of a free-flowing conversation, where they might start talking about one thing and it leads to talk about something else. He was such a classic Southern gentleman, says Wharton, who like Petty, grew up in northern Florida. Benjamin Montmorency "Benmont" Tench III (born September 7, 1953) is an American keyboardist best known as a founding member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. It saved me, having my daughter. The other members accumulated some wealth [2] The Tench family's garage was a frequent practice site for the band. Ill play on a few radio station solo shows, and a few songs on piano and guitar at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles on Feb. 13, followed by a Q&A session. 9. Producer Glyn Johns' famous drum mic technique. Its like this: Youve seen beautiful, laser-cut pieces of wood, but have you seen things cut by hand? And whether it was his song we were doing or a cover, that was my singer. (Photo by Robert Sebree), It isnt that you take them for granted, says Tench on a recent call about his late bandmate. They divorced in late 1999. And a dog named Buddy. "He was also someone I looked up to enormously.". There, he lingered on life support, while certain news sources (including CBS News and Rolling Stone, via iHeart Radio) jumped the gun and reported that Petty had died. Godspeed to her. Neutral. Gwinnett County Fairgrounds. Sapphire was once thought to guard against evil and poisoning. "I hope it comes out because I think it's cool," Tench said, "but there's even more. Engineer/producer Ryan Ulyat has been the primary person working on the band's archival projects since Petty's death in 2017. Benmont Tench's birth flower is Aster/Myosotis. Even as his health was failing, the musician rocked on with vigor, and it was all for the people who loved his music. The thing to take away from the Beatles is the spirit in which it was done. 1.3mil was just the house he sold to Mike Campbell. Additional Details ----- Format: import. He is 69 years old and is a Virgo. In 2015, he married Alice Carbone Tench. But because I had a daughter coming, I had to take care of my wife.. What it told her was that Petty was never one to rest of his laurels.