Breaking through in 1979 with “Don’t Do Me Like That” and “Refugee” (his album Damn the Torpedoesthis link opens in a new tab peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 albums chart), the musical icon — who died Monday eveningthis link opens in a new tab — reached number one in 2014 with his most recent album Hypnotic Eyethis link opens in a new tab.
But while his success never faltered, the “Free Fallin'” singer’s personal life wasn’t quite as smooth sailing. From suffering abuse as a child to going through a difficult divorce and subsequent addiction to heroin, Petty, 66, fought through intense personal troubles to find ultimate happiness with his second wife Dana York.
HIS DIFFICULT CHILDHOOD
Raised in Gainesville, Florida, Petty opened up about suffering abuse at the hands of his father in Petty: The Biographythis link opens in a new tab, written by his friend and fellow rocker Warren Zanesthis link opens in a new tab.
“When my father got home…he came in, took a belt and beat the living s— out of me. He beat me so bad that I was covered in raised welts, from my head to my toes. I mean, you can’t imagine someone hitting a child like that. My mother and grandmother laid me in my bed, stripped me and they took cotton and alcohol, cleaning these big welts all over my body.”
HIS VOLATILE FIRST MARRIAGE
Before he found fame, Petty married his longtime friend Jane Benyo in 1974. The duo’s 22-year marriage was filled with drama that stemmed from mental illness, drug use and the singer’s booming career.
Five years before they divorced, Petty told Rolling Stonethis link opens in a new tab he was still “very much in love” with Benyo. “There were times when we definitely were not getting along, when we fought like f—ing Apaches, you know. I’m lucky they still let me live in this neighborhood,” he told the outlet.
0 Response to "How Tom Petty Overcame an Abusive Childhood - Article Health"
Post a Comment