A sincere apology
Sorry for the long break in between blog updates. I was suspended for two weeks, nearly fired, in the wake of my controversial Tom Petty and Bobby Brown opinion pieces.
The break gave me time to think, long and hard. And I’m here today to apologize and, with your blessing, to start over.
I made two unfortunate, and clearly damaging, mistakes. Both Mr. Petty and Mr. Brown are American heroes. You folks made me realize that. For attempting to tarnish their legacies, I am truly sorry.
As an act of contrition, I’m enrolling my five-year-old son in a Bobby Brown drug seminar. No, no, Mike Jr. doesn’t have a drug problem, yet. This was a preemptive measure. My hope is he’ll learn from the best how to be a man and how to do the right thing. Clearly, I can’t offer him that. But after finally hearing all the songs Mr. Brown did with his childhood group, New Edition, I’m confident that he will get my son started on the right path (giving my boy the chance I never had).
As for my personal thoughts on Mr. Petty. I love Tom Petty. I own all his records. The truth is, Jeff Lynne, his former and least known band-mate in the Traveling Wilburys, forced me to write all that bad stuff about him. If I didn’t, Lynne, also the frontman for Electric Light Orchestra, was going to make me wear a wig afro and dark tinted sunglasses at gunpoint and videotape me singing “Don’t Bring Me Down” and put it on YouTube. It was all part of his sinister plot to get back at Tom for not only overshadowing his role in the Wilburys, but for Tom’s overall status in the music business. (Lynne never got over being underrated as a guitarist, lead singer, songwriter and producer). The national embarrassment I would’ve faced couldn’t compare to the pain I caused. Sorry.
Never the less, I must choose my blog topics more carefully, given the sensitivity expressed by my readers. So I’ll quit chasing waterfalls, and stick to subjects I’m used to. Like deep-fryers. That said, If they dunked salad in bubbling-hot peanut oil, I’d eat it. And I’m not afraid to say it…
March 28th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Man you really got fired for what you said? Hey, I run a Tom Petty site at gonegator.com. Honestly, what you said, made me laugh.
But Jeff Lynne…. Jeff’s a #### HACK! That guy wanted to be a Beatle SO BAD!
Have a great weekend!
March 30th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
I love Jeff Lynne, ELO, Idle Race, The Move, Traveling Wilburys, everything that has to do with Jeff Lynne.
He is number one for me. He is the greatest ever.
Yes I happen to be madly inlove with him and it makes me feel so good. The ones who put HIM down can piss off.
March 30th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
To the guy who runs a Tom Petty website, Jeff is a hack? I imagine Tom would tell you to #$%# off, seeing that 3 out of 4 songs he chose to play at the Super Bowl were Lynne songs.
March 31st, 2008 at 5:39 am
people are so sensitive. I guess this country is so *** up. You are in and out of rehabs, you get arrested and put and jail and yet somehow you are a great American? Please, Bobby brown is a *** and so is his coke head wife Witney. And as for old dirty Tom i love the man’s music and he is a rock icon but a definite pot head and not a direction any sensible parent would want to push his children toward.
March 31st, 2008 at 1:13 pm
I am amused at the article, good humor at Jeff’s expense.
Although I don’t recall where he’s ever been remorseful about lack of attention as he’s always been a recluse to protect privacy.
March 31st, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Dear Mike,
I ‘m so jealous that you got to actually meet Bobby Brown!You are freakin’ famous!! I love him on the VH1 show - “Gone Country” he’s a respectable musician with talent unlike most of the singer/songwriters I know. Well, not “know” but whish I did. I’m a fan of yours too buddy!
Cheyenne Roger Hornesack
April 1st, 2008 at 12:22 pm
What, you got sanctioned! Come on America what happened to freedom of speech? I have to say I enjoy your writing. You have such a sense of wit! I hope that your writings continue in the manner you ahve been writing. I need to have some thought provoking laughter!
April 25th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Hmmmm! Lynne co-wrote and produced some of Petty’s most well known songs. Lynne also produced (along with Harrison) the Travelling Wilburys. The man certainly has some “points on the board” in the credability stakes.