[2026-05-05] Jane Benyo Petty "American Girl, American Dreams: My Life With Tom Petty" hardcover memoir (Dey Street)

Linda · **Posted:** Thu Mar 28, 2024 12:57 pm

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0063046199/?tag=imwan-20

Description
For the first time, music legend Tom Petty’s spouse and muse of 25 years opens up about their intimate, shared lives in this memoir filled with personal anecdotes, and bittersweet reminiscing.

Inseparable from their first kiss playing Spin the Bottle, Tom and Jane Petty were rock and roll monarchs cruising around the country on wild band tours and spreading their musical magic. But before heading to Hollywood, or “Hollyweird” as Jane refers to it, she and Tom were just two lost and confused teenagers from Gainesville, Florida whose lives became completely intertwined the minute they met.

At the age of 13, Jane’s younger sister Robin was killed by a car while in her care, and Jane’s world shattered. Her mother threw herself into the church, leaving Jane to struggle with her grief and guilt. Meanwhile, in another part of town, Tom was suffering abuse at the hands of his alcoholic father, as his passive mother watched. As a result, both Jane and Tom found peace and solace in their teenage romance and the growing bond between them. Jane’s abrupt loss of childhood had turned her into a caretaker and protector, something Tom desperately needed. She’d continue to inspire and challenge him through their decades together. Many of Tom’s greatest hits, including “Here Comes My Girl,” “Listen To Her Heart,” and, of course, “American Girl” were written for Jane.

With Tom on the road and holding down the fort while raising their two daughters, Jane had Tom’s back through their shared drug abuse, bankruptcy, a devastating house fire (which inspired the hit “I Won’t Back Down”), until her battle with depression and his disappearance into hard drugs split them up after 25 years of marriage.

Complete with a Foreword by respected music journalist, David Wild, and exclusive photos, American Girl, American Dreams rounds out a complete portrait of the All-American girl who was Runnin’ Down A Dream.

Linda · **Posted:** Tue May 06, 2025 11:21 pm

The publication date has been pushed all the way back to May 5, 2026. Also, Amazon's listing page has gone dormant and the book is not currently pre-orderable. We'll have to wait and see if it ever actually comes out.

Simon · **Joined:** 26 Oct 2006 **Posts:** 59403

I notice that Pamela Des Barres has co-authored (?) this. I did like her "I'm with the band" memoir and she can definitely write so this might be really interesting.

Linda · **Posted:** Sun Jul 27, 2025 9:09 pm

The book is once again available for pre-order via the Amazon link in the first post, scheduled for publication on May 5, 2026.

[2026-05-05] Jane Benyo Petty "American Girl, American Dreams: My Life With Tom Petty" hardcover memoir (Dey Street)

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