When he was starting out Tom had a friend and fellow-musician called Chuck E Weiss, and they used to hang out with another new singer-songwriter called Rickie Lee Jones.  The picture above shows Tom, Rickie and Chuck. The friendship inspired Rickie to write a song called Chuck E's in Love which became a worldwide hit for her.

On one occasion Tom and a friend were in a restaurant and went to the assistance of patrons who were being bullied by some thugs.  The thugs turned out to be plain-clothes policemen who arrested Tom and his friend.  Tom sued the LAPD for wrongful arrest and was awarded $7500 in damages.  Times have changed and Tom has since been awarded the Freedom of El Paso.