Ten Feet From Tom Petty – Dave Greene (Drummer/Backline Technician) Ep. 39

Our next guest toured the world for two decades as the drum tech for Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, witnessing rock history up close. Dave Greene’s leap into the music world began when he discovered the Zappa Institute of Technology, a trade school created by Frank Zappa to train up technicians for the world of stage-tech. Dave quit his corporate job, attended the school, and soon found himself working with blues artist Keb’ Mo’. Dave opens up about his transformative experiences working with Tom Petty, sitting directly behind Steve Ferrone on every stage and tuning drums for every Heartbreakers album since 2000. Dave drops gems about the music industry, his work with other legends like Lisa Marie Presley, and shares advice about humility, perseverance, and the unique osmosis of being in the aura of great performers. We talk about the insane logistics of touring for such a large group, having zero margin for error, the politics of tour buses, and how Dave ended up getting invited to play percussion with Joe Walsh! He shares his memories of watching one of The Heartbreakers final performances from the audience's perspective, calling them "one of the best rock and roll bands left on the planet." This episode is more than just a behind-the-scenes look at rock and roll; it’s a masterclass in creativity, adaptability, and the power of following your passion, even when the road gets tough. Dave Greene's story offers invaluable insights into the music industry and the art of seizing opportunities, making this a must-listen for anyone who dreams of leaving their mark on the world. Guest: Dave Greene david.greene.main@gmail.com (Due to the impacts of the Pandemic on the live touring industry, many of the web properties Dave mentioned in the episode are no longer accessible; Dave is no longer on social media.) References AMP Rehearsal – Website Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – Wikipedia, Spotify Steve Ferrone (Drummer for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers) – Wikipedia Ron Blair (Bassist for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers) – Wikipedia Benmont Tench (Keyboardist for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers) – Wikipedia Mike Campbell (Guitarist for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers) – Wikipedia Keb’ Mo’ – Wikipedia, Spotify Frank Zappa – Wikipedia, Spotify Dweezil Zappa – Wikipedia, Spotify “Don’t Come Around Here No More” – Music Video "Lead Me On" by Amy Grant – Wikipedia, Spotify Joe Walsh  – Wikipedia, Spotify Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band – Wikipedia, Spotify The Last DJ by Tom Petty – Wikipedia, Spotify George Drakoulious – Wikipedia, Discogs Jim Scott - Wikipedia Richard Dodd – Tape Op Jim Ladd - Wikipedia The Last DJ: Live at the Olympic – Amazon | YouTube “Cry Myself to Sleep” by Christy Nava - Spotify Ali Starlight – starrlightmusic.com The Babymaker Electric Bike – Indiegogo How to Tune Your Drums and Make Them Thump (article by Dave Greene) – The Music Page Plus (on TheWayBack Machine) Simpleology by Mark Joyner – Simpleology.com Ali Starlight – starrlightmusic.com The Laws of Success in 16 Lessons by Napoleon Hill – Goodreads Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill – Goodreads mp3.com – Wikipedia   Featured Music “Heroes In Disguise” Instrumental by David S. Greene, Karolyn Marie Roberts, Steven Leavitt. Drums performed by Steve Ferrone. “Move Through” by David S. Greene, Karolyn Marie Roberts. About the host Language of Creativity’s host Steven Leavitt enjoys discussing the ins and outs of all aspects of creating, creativity, and life with his fellow creators: artists, inventors, designers, producers and more. Along the way he hopes to gain perspective and multiply our understanding of what we share in common while creating, living, and learning. www.stevenleavitt.com Join our mailing list on Substack and consider supporting the show with a membership. Please review this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon, and Spotify to help other creatives find their tribe! Production Credits: This podcast was produced by I Create Sound Edited by Sam Levine Tags #Attuned, #AmpRehearsalStudios, #BenmontTench, #ClassicRock, #ConcertProduction, #CreativeProcess, #DannyDeVito, #DrumTech, #DrumTuning, #Drumming, #Eckankar, #Empath, #FrankZappa, #HollywoodBowl, #HollywoodMusicScene, #JoeWalsh, #KebMo, #LearningByOsmosis, #LisaMariePresley, #LiveMusic, #MusicCareer, #Entrepreneurship, #RockHistory, #MusicIndustry, #MusicLegends, #MusicMentorship, #MusicNetworking, #MusicProduction, #MusicStorytelling, #MusicTouring, #Napster, #NapoleonHill, #NevilleGoddard, #OzzyOsbourne, #ZakkWylde, #PandemicImpactOnMusic, #RockAndRoll, #RockConcerts, #RockLegends, #RonBlair, #Star44Alliance, #SteveFerrone, #StudioLife, #StudioRecording, #ThinkAndGrowRich, #TomPettyAndTheHeartbreakers, #ToniArthur, #TouringLife, #ZappaInstituteOfTechnology, #mp3com, #idols, #Eagles, #HollywoodStories, #Motown, #TheFunkBrothers, #Spirituality, #Drummer, #DrumTechnician, #COVID, #Coronavirus, #Tour, #RockMusic, #Tuning, #Keyboard, #AudioEngineering, #MusicalWisdom, #Humility, #LiveProduction, #BoomOperator, #BacklineTechnician, #AudioTechnician, #StageTech, #LiveConcertProduction, #SchoolForStageTech, #LiveTechnicians, #PaddStudioLosAngeles, #AMPRehearsal, #MarcCoi, #DweezilZappa, #CarrieFisher, #AmyGrant, #TheMatrix, #MikeCampbell, #ToriAmos, #BobSegerAndTheSilverBulletBand, #RichardDodd, #TheLastDJ, #TheZone, #Music.