I was turning the knob on the car radio, trying to find something good.  I couldn't get past the rock station, which I never listened to unless The Eagles were playing, because of the beat and the guitar in the song playing.

I'd caught the tail end of the record and, unfortunately, the dj hadn't mentioned the artist.

I pulled into the parking lot of Circle K, parked, and ran to the pay phone.  I called information for the station phone number and then called it.

What was the name of that song you just played, I asked.  To help him, I said the one word I'd repeated to myself to help me identify the song--breakdown.

It's called Breakdown, he said. (Ha!)

That began my love affair with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

Damn the Torpedos was one of only two 8-tracks I would own in my life and I played it relentlessly and religiously in my car until the machine ate the ribbon up.  No matter.  Bought 45s.

I'll have to pull them out and throw them on the turntable.  Be very sad that he's gone but very glad he left something meaningful in the world.