When I was a tiny human, my parents played music constantly. It was only natural for my first favorite band to be a band they introduced me to — Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. I can remember, before I could use the turntable, asking my dad to put on Full Moon Fever for me. (I loved solo Petty as well as his work with the Heartbreakers). I would listen to that album from start to finish, on repeat.

My first favorite band…and later, my first rock star crush. Before the boy groups and all that, it was Tom Petty. To this day, I can’t explain it. I just had a thing for him. And while I was still in love with the man and his band, my parents took me to see them. Twice. I was the happiest and luckiest kid in the world. I had been to several concerts, but Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers was the first one I was old enough to really remember.

And now, Tom Petty is gone. He passed away at 8:40 p.m. (PST) on Monday, October 2, 2017.

I’m at a loss. I know there are people here who can understand; after all, the music community has been grieving far too often lately. This, though, is different, for me. This was the artist who set me on my journey, the first to make me really feel so deeply about music.

Thank you, Tom Petty, and may you rest in peace.