I would have to be honest... he was not one of my favorite performers.
When my son heard he died, he couldn't place his face; so I started playing him some Tom Petty songs. And there was one hit; after another; after another..... I might argue one of the top American performers in history.
He produced a treasure chest of really great music.
He was also a fireball; fighting back against the record producers and their greed.
I especially like him as "Lucky" on King of The Hill.
He will be missed.