UMG Says Tom Petty Masters Weren’t Lost in 2008 Fire

Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

August 22nd, 2019 10:44 AM

The drama around the 2008 Universal Music Group (UMG) fire burns on with UMG’s attorney filing a declaration in a class action lawsuit that says the masters of Tom Petty, Tupac Shakur and Steve Earle did not suffer “irreparable damage.”

Per Billboard, the declaration was filed by attorney Scott Edelman, who questions the complaint from those artists and their estates. This class action lawsuit was filed in June and also featured Hole and Soundgarden. Hole has since removed themselves from the lawsuit after it was determined their masters weren’t damaged after all. Soundgarden and their masters, however, are still being investigated to determine the extent of the loss of their tapes.

This lawsuit is the result of a  New York Times Magazine piece that claims over 500,000 song recording master tapes were lost by UMG in a fire in 2008 and that the company covered up the losses for years. UMG has denied the fire destroyed 500,000 master recordings.

‘Full Moon Fever’: Every Song Ranked

• 12. “Alright For Now”

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  If you're looking for evidence as to just how great 'Full Moon Fever' is, "Alright For Now" kicks off this list. (Sorry! Something had to rank 12th!) A two-minute acoustic tune, it's beautiful in its simplicity and earnestness.

• 11. “Depending on You”

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  A straight-forward love song, "Depending On You" cuts right to the chase: Stop trying to change yourself for other people! You're pretty great already!

• 10. “The Apartment Song”

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  There's not a lot to "The Apartment Song," but its infectious, jaunty nature is absolutely undeniable. After one listen, it'll likely get stuck in your head, and that certainly isn't a bad thing.
• 9. “A Mind with a Heart of its Own”

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  Holy Bo Diddley, Batman! Between the energetic Diddley-inspired riff and the hooky chorus, perhaps "A Mind with a Heart of its Own" is the most underrated earworm of 'Full Moon Fever.' (No offense to the previously mentioned "The Apartment Song.")

• 8. “Zombie Zoo”

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  Delightfully tongue in cheek, "Zombie Zoo" has a little fun at the expense of goths. Even those who went through a goth phase in all its pale, black eyeliner glory have to admit this song's pretty on-point. Roy Orbison providing backing vocals doesn't hurt either.

• 7. “Feel a Whole Lot Better”

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  A cover of The Byrds "I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better," this track kicks off side two of the LP/cassette version of 'Full Moon Fever.' Those listening to the album were drolly greeted with this information via the hidden track "Hello, CD listeners..." The backing vocals on this track come via Jeff Lynne, and they are just sublime.
• 6. “A Face in the Crowd”

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  "A Face in the Crowd" poignantly demonstrates how love can seemingly come out of nowhere. Or, in the case of its lyrics, "Out of a dream, out of the sky. Into my heart, into my life"

• 5. “Yer So Bad”

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  Easily the darkest song on the album, "Yer So Bad" tells the common tale of the aftermath of divorce. Of course, the tale is told from the perspective of a brother whose sister "married a yuppie" and "took him for all he was worth." Good thing the brother has someone to save him and is the "best thing I ever had."

• 4. “Love Is a Long Road”

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  Ever given a relationship chance after chance to get better only to realize that you just need to get out? "Love Is a Long Road" is the perfect soundtrack for that situation.
• 3. “Free Fallin'”

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  Petty said in an interview with 'Billboard' "...really just to amuse Jeff, honestly, I just sang that first verse. Then he starts laughing. Honestly, I thought I was just amusing Jeff but then I got to the chorus of the song and he leaned over to me and said the word, ‘freefalling.’" And that's how Petty's highest-charting hit was born!

• 2. “I Won’t Back Down”

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  Of all of the running themes in rock and roll over its decades-long existence, defiance and rebellion are certainly among the most beloved. With "I Won't Back Down," those themes are front and center, and thirty years later, the song continues to be one of the greatest anthems of all time.

• 1. “Runnin’ Down a Dream”

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  From its open riff to the fading out guitar solo, "Runnin' Down a Dream" is 4:23 of rock and roll perfection on an album packed with incredible songs. Co-written by Petty, Lynne and Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell, "Runnin' Down A Dream" might just be one of the simplest and yet most profound allegory about life itself. All of us have hopes and dreams, and every single day, we get a chance to work on that mystery and go wherever it leads to make them happen. If you by chance have Del Shannon's "Runaway" playing as all of this is going down, consider it a bonus.

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Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

Category:

• Classic Rock News
• Music
• WMGK Audio

Tags:

Universal Music Group,Universal Music Group Fire,Universal Music Group Masters Fire