Michael Kovac/WireImageTom Petty‘s untimely death on October 2 was followed by an outpouring of tributes from various well-known associates and admirers of the lauded rocker, although nothing was heard from one of his most famous collaborators — Stevie Nicks. Now, however, comes word that Nicks has given an in-depth interview with Rolling Stone about Petty, and the magazine has posted an excerpt online.
In the excerpt, the Fleetwood Mac singer reveals that she last saw Petty at London’s Hyde Park in July, when she opened for him and The Heartbreakers and then joined the band to perform her and Tom’s hit duet “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around.” She remembers that before hitting the stage, she rehearsed the tune with Tom and other Heartbreakers members, and that she later ended up watching the group’s set with another famous singer.
“After I came off stage from my set, [Shania Twain] came backstage,” says Stevie. “She was so funny. She said, ‘I’m going to be greedy right now. I need to watch this show with you.’ Shania and I watched Tom’s show…and sang at the top of our lungs…[W]hat a magical moment that was: Shania got to stand there with me and watch my boys.”
Nicks also recalls some comforting advice Petty gave her in 1994 when she met up with him after she’d had an upsetting visit from an old boyfriend.
“I asked Tom if he would help me write a song,” she recalls. “And he said, ‘No. You are one of the premier songwriters of all time. You don’t need me to write a song for you.’ He said, ‘Just go to your piano and write a good song. You can do that.'”
Nicks’ full interview will appear in an upcoming Rolling Stone issue devoted to Petty.
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