Don Felder has recalled initially thinking Tom Petty sounded like a “Bob Dylan knockoff” when he saw the future rock star perform early in his career. The former Eagles guitarist said Petty was still developing his own vocal identity, illustrating how Petty’s distinctive sound emerged over time before he became a major rock figure.

Felder met Petty while teaching at Lipham Music, where Petty impressed him with his enthusiasm, which Felder compared with Stephen Stills. He later attended a rehearsal and advised Petty’s two guitarists to play less while Petty was singing, then lost contact after moving to Boston; Petty’s first album arrived a few years later, and both musicians ultimately entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.