1980s
The Petty Archives

Tom Petty on tour
By Michael Spies
Houston Chronicle - Thursday, July 4, 1985

He's playing music with a Southern accent these days, but Tom Petty still speaks fluent rock 'n' roll. On his most recent album, "Southern Accents," Petty carved out some new territory, working with Eurythmics' songwriter-guitarist Dave Stewart on the sitar-flavored single "Don't You Come Around Here No More." But he also attempted to paint a portrait of the South in such songs as "Rebels", addressing for the first time on his albums his feelings about Dixieland. Actually, he's thinking of Florida, where he grew up. Petty is also thinking of touring, and he is coming to Houston on Sunday with that in mind. The concert will begin 8 p.m. at the Summit.

It's his first concert tour in three years. Petty's plans suffered a setback when he injured his hand last year. He reportedly smashed his hand through a wall in some combination of high spirits and foolishness. His band, the Heartbreakers, will be around with him to run through songs from "Southern Accents" and from such earlier albums as "Damn the Torpedoes, Hard Promises" and "You're Gonna Get It". Backbone members, including Mike Campbell and organist Benmont Tench, should be among the Heartbreakers. Opening act will be Lone Justice, a rock outfit from Los Angeles. Call Ticketron at 526-1709 for ticket information.