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 Anything That's Rock 'n' Roll
The official TOM PETTY and the HEARTBREAKERS Fan Club Newsletter
May 1995 -- Volume 1 Number 2

Page 1

Opening Night With Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers!
Louisville, Kentucky, February 28, 1995 ... The lights dimmed, the audience was on its feet, and a familiar voice came out of the darkness, "Oh, baby..."
With that, multi-colored lights came up, revealing Tom Petty, Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench, Howie Epstein, Steve Ferrone and Scott Thurston on a candlelit stage, complete with Persian rugs, dramatic draperies and lava lamp.
With the beginning notes of "Love Is A Long Road," the crowd's screams turned into cheers and we all realized in awe that Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were actually right there in front of us, in person, doing what they do best.
Before the audience could catch its breath, the band rocked into "You Don't Know How It Feels." Singing enthusiastically along with every word, the crowd seemed to share energy with Tom as he strolled around the stage. Reaching each side, he acknowledged that section of the audience with a big grin and a wave of his guitar, working the crowd into a frenzy. Then he closed his eyes and leaned into his lead guitar riffs with incredible intensity. The momentum continued with "Listen To Her Heart," "I Won't Back Down," "Free Fallin'" and "You Wreck Me."
With a pronouncement from Tom, "Here's one for all you sweet little honeybees out there," the guys ripped into a wild version of "Honeybee."
Then Mike Campbell took center stage, blazing away on a bright pink Fender guitar, taking us to the crashing surf of Hawaii with a very cool interpretation of the Ventures' '60s instrumental, "Diamond Head." The surfing mood was enhanced by Jim Lenahan's psychedelic lavender and pink lighting effects.
Keyboardist Benmont Tench then played a bluesy introduction to "Mary Jane's Last Dance," Scott Thurston wailed on harmonica, and Tom and Mike tore into their leads, coaxing feedback from their guitars.
Mellowing out for a while, the band switched to acoustic, setting the tone with a gentle version of "King's Highway." Next came the amusing "Girl on LSD" with Steve Ferrone's subtle comedic antics in the background. This was followed by a simply beautiful version of "Learning To Fly," lacing Benmont's delicate piano playing with Tom and Howie's harmony vocals.
A quiet acoustic duet of "Don't Fade On Me" was played by Tom and Mike, then the entire band joined in on a sweet interpretation of "Wildflowers."
Setting his guitar down, Tom walked to the microphone and began a slow, simmering version of Willie Dixon's "I Just Want To Make Love To You" (Whoa... move over, Diet Coke commercial guy... Tom and the guys are much hotter than you with this song!!!).
After the crowd cooled down, the band continued with "Time To Move On," "Yer So Bad," and a great interpretation of the Byrds' "It Won't Be Wrong," followed by a killer version of "It's Good To Be King," which included a flying dog, a glittering ball in the sky and long soulful guitar exchanges between Tom and Mike.
Cranking the energy up even further, Mike demonstrated how much fire and passion he can wring from a guitar with steaming versions of "Drivin' Down To Georgia" (an unreleased Tom Petty song), "Refugee" and "Runnin' Down A Dream."
Then, amidst thunderous applause... Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers left the stage.
To screams of "Pet-ty, Pet-ty," and lighters flickering in the dark, the guys came back for an enthusiastic encore of "Into the Great Wide Open" and "American Girl." Tom then surprised everyone by going over to play the piano himself, dedicating the last song, "Wake Up Time," to his former Producer, Denny Cordell.
At the end of the evening, we fans just stood there, emotionally exhausted and ecstatically happy. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are what rock and roll is all about, and they proved it to perfection in Louisville on opening night!

 As the tour has continued, the set list and the order of songs has varied somewhat. Other tunes heard at later concerts have included: "Cabin Down Below," "Crawling Back To You," "The Waiting," "Breakdown," "Alright For Now," "Southern Accents," J.J. Cale's "Thirteen Days" and Chuck Berry's "'Round and 'Round."
...Whew... I'm definitely ready for more!
Cathy B. 


 Page 2

Sights and Sounds Backstage

  • equipment trunks with "TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS" and individual band members' names stenciled on them;
  • Tom's dressing room door with a "Do Not Disturb" sign on it;
  • guitars (!!!) on stands;
  • TP's bus with the Wildflowers logo;
  • in Louisville, KY, before the 1st show -- a crew member asking Benmont how he was feeling; Benmont replying with a grin, "How am I feeling? Ask me in a couple of hours;"
  • Dingo, Howie's German Shepherd, just being cool;
  • a dressing room door opening... Mike Campbell peeking out;
  • Mike, Benmont, Tony Dimitriades (Tom's Manager) and Dean Correa (Head of Security) looking at bootleg tee-shirts in Indianapolis, IN;
  • Benmont and Scott talking with MTV's Tabitha Soren in Milwaukee, WI;
  • Pete Droge borrowing Mike Campbell's guitar, "In the hope it'll make me play better,"
  • Mike standing beside the stage listening to Pete Droge perform;
  • Howie's brother and his former manager showing photos of a very young Howie in Milwaukee, WI;
  • Mike eating dinner in the rain in Mountain View, CA, wearing a sweatshirt with the hood up and drawstring pulled tight around his face;
  • Mark Carpenter (Assistant Tour Manager), craving junk food, phoning around (unsuccessfully) to try and find a Popeye's Chicken in Peoria, IL;
  • Steve Ferrone talking about his cat, Callie (she chose him to be her owner) in Indianapolis, IN;
  • Linda Burcher getting the band's wardrobe ready for the evening;
  • the Jayhawks watching basketball playoffs on T.V. in Sacramento, CA;
  • crew members joking about the last time they slept (or bathed!);
  • Mike Campbell waving to fans from his tour bus as they drove away

Memorable Moments Onstage

  • Tom and Mike down on their knees jamming together at the front of the stage during "Runnin' Down A Dream;"
  • Tom's Rickenbacker guitar crashing to the ground (!) after he raised his arms at the end of "Free Fallin'" in Indianapolis;
  • Mike Campbell jamming during "Diamond Head;"
  • at Market Square Arena, the Indiana crowd going crazy over the lyrics of "Mary Jane's Last Dance"... with Tom commenting, "I've been wanting to sing that here for several years now;"
  • Tom closing his eyes with intense feeling while playing lead guitar;
  • the band ready to leave the stage after "American Girl"... Steve Ferrone holding up his flickering lighter to convince the band, "one more song;"
  • Tom's new lyrics to "You Don't Know How It Feels": "I woke up in between ... a mattress and a limousine." 

 Page 3

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Official Fan Club
Hi Everybody!
First of all, I want to thank you for your warm responses to the first issue of "ANYTHING THAT'S ROCK 'N' ROLL." Many of you wrote in with very nice comments and great ideas. In addition, thanks to all of you who wrote in to correct your name and/or address for our mailing list. It really helps.
Well, the first 3 legs of the 1995 tour are almost over ... I can hardly believe it! The shows have been spectacular, and I've tried to share some of my experiences from a fan's point of few. The best thing, however, is the news that the guys have extended the tour and added more shows! So, to quote a 1977 TP&HB inviation, "If you caught T.P. & the H.B.'s last time around, we need say no more. If you didn't, don't be heartbroken again." THANK YOU, TOM, MIKE, BENMONT, HOWIE, STEVE AND SCOTT!!!
Many of you have asked for basic biographical information about Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. I've included simple profiles of each of the guys in this issue of the Newsletter. In the future, I'll try to share more in-depth information about the band. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this issue of "ANYTHING THAT'S ROCK 'N' ROLL."
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers have received many wonderful letters in response to the tour, the Greatest Hits and Wildflowers. Keep those cards and letters coming. They are much appreciated!
Peace,
Cathy Buffington
Fan Club Administrator

Remember: Please do not send lyrics, poems, tapes, or CDs of original music. We are sorry, but they will be returned to you, unopened, unread, and/or not listened to. Thanks!

Oops! A Correction to last issue: The Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers VIDEOGRAPHY should read:
1986 - Pack Up The Plantation Live! (Live Show)
1989 - A Bunch Of Videos And Some Other Stuff
1990 - Full Moon Fever: The Videos
1991 - Take The Highway Live (Live Show)

Photo/Design/Memorabilia Credits

  • Bob Sebree - photo of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, page 1.
  • Martyn Atkins - photos of: Tom, Mike, Benmont, page 4; Howie, page 5; Steve, Scott, page 6; Dogs With Wings design, pages 2, 10
  • AWest - backstage pass design, page 2; photo of Stan, page 5
  • All other photos and memorabilia courtesy of Cathy Buffington's Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers archives.

Enzo's Environmental Message:
Learn more about
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1436 U. Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20009

Greatest Hits Trivia Quiz
1. What song was written on July 4, 1976?
2. On what song did Tom and Howie sing lead together through the whole song for the first time?
3. Who inspired Tom Petty with the line, "The waiting is the hardest part?"
4. What was on the U.S. Greatest Hits front cover, but was deleted from the U.K. cover picture?
5. Who was Tom talking about when he said in an interview, "But I never did really hire him, he just kept coming back?"
6. What was the first song Tom wrote with Jeff Lynne?
7. Tom has said the drum beat in "Here Comes My Girl" is very similar to what song?
8. "I Need To Know" was inspired by what song?
9. What was one of the things that influenced "Learning To Fly"?
10. Which song was included on the U.K. CD, but not the U.S. CD (hint - it was TP&HBs' first hit in England)?
11. Where did the phrase, "Don't Do Me Like That" come from?
12. "I Won't Back Down" was probably inspired by what event in Tom's life?
13. The idea for "You Got Lucky" came from which song in which Elvis Presley movie?
14. Which Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers albums had no songs represented on the Greatest Hits compilation?
15. Where was the photograph taken which appears on the Greatest Hits CD back cover?
(Answers on page 10) 


Page 4

Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome... Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Tom

  • Name: Thomas Earl Petty
  • Birthdate: October 20, 1950
  • Married to Jane since 1974; they have 2 daughters (Adria, Kim)
  • Born in Gainesville, Florida
  • Attended Gainesville High School, class of 1968
  • Bands before Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Bull's-eye, Sundowners, Epics, Mudcrutch
  • Member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: 1975 - present
  • Instruments played on TP&HB albums: Lead vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Lead Guitar, Bass Guitar, 6 and 12-string Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Keyboard, Piano, Electric Piano, Harmonica, OBX Keyboard, Percussion, Tambourine, Hand Claps (!)
  • Etc.: Co-producing both TP solo albums and all but the first TP&HB album, Tom wrote or co-wrote all but 7 songs on all TP&HB and TP solo albums. A member of the Traveling Wilburys, he was Charlie T. Wilbury, Jr. on Volume 1 and Muddy Wilbury on Volume 3. In his early band, Mudcrutch, Tom played Bass Guitar, wrote songs and sang Lead Vocals. Tom's music publishing is Gone Gator Music.

Mike

  • Name: Michael Wayne Campbell
  • Birthdate: February 1, 1950
  • Married to Marcie since 1975; they have two daughters (Brie, Kelsey) and 1 son (Darien)
  • Native of Jacksonville, Florida
  • Attended Ribault High School (Jacksonville), class of 1968
  • Bands before Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Dead Or Alive, Mudcrutch
  • Member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: 1975 - present
  • Instruments played on TP&HB albums: Lead Guitar, 6 and 12 string Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Bass Guitar, Slide Guitar, Baritone Guitar, Mandolin, Dobro, Bouzouki, Coral Sitar, Keyboards, Piano, Harpsichord, Harmonium, Accordian , Auto-Harp, Hammer Dulcimer, Squeeze Box
  • Etc.: Co-producing 5 TP&HB and both TP solo albums, Mike has co-written 1 to 5 songs on every TP&HB and TP solo album. He produced songs for D. Henley, D. Shannon, P. Scialfa, R. Orbison, R. Zander, S. Nicks, and the Williams Brothers. M.C. Studios are in his home. He has a very cool '57 Chevy Bel-Air Classic automobile.

Benmont

  • Name: Benjamin Montmorency Tench III
  • Birthdate: September 7, 1953
  • Married to Courtney since 1991
  • Native of Gainesville, Florida
  • Attended Exeter High School (New England), class of 1971
  • Bands before Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: The Apathetics, Mudcrutch
  • Member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: 1975 - present
  • Instruments played on TP&HB albums: Keyboards, Organ, Piano, Harmonium, Vocals. Tack Piano, Electric Piano, Accordian, Orchestron, Vibes, Mellotron, Zenon
  • Etc.: Has recorded with many artists (a partial list: R. Stones, J. Browne, U2, B. Raitt, Ringo, R. Cash, R. Orbison, J. Cocker, E. Costello, B. Dylan, J. Prine, Divinyls, Eurhythmics, J. Bon Jovi, S. Nicks, The Cult, Lone Justice, Jayhawks, D. Shannon, Replacements, X, Ramones, C. Carter, W. Nelson, D. Henley, P. Scialfa, Cracker, D. Twilley, W. Jennings, R. McGuinn, D. Baird, B. Setzer, R. Zander, G. Frey, J. Healey, B. Falcon, F. Sharkey, Dramarama, Jimmy Lewis, Williams Brothers, etc.) 

Page 5

Howie

  • Name: Howard Norman Epstein
  • Birthdate: July 21, 1955
  • Single (Rolling Stone magazine was not correct); his longtime girlfriend is Carlene Carter
  • Native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  • Attended Nicolet High School (Milwaukee), class of 1973
  • Bands before Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: MHB Experience, Egz, Winks, Forearm Smash, The Craze, John Hiatt, Del Shannon
  • Member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: 1982 - present
  • Debut with TP&HB: 9/1/82 at Santa Cruz Auditorium, CA
  • Instruments played on TP&HB albums: Bass guitar, Harmony Vocals, Backing Vocals
  • Etc.: Howie produced, wrote and played on I Fell In Love and Little Love Letters by Carlene Carter, and The Missing Years and Lost Dogs And Missed Blessings by John Prine. Howie hired his own bus this tour for himself and his cool German Shepherd, Dingo. During concerts, Dingo can be found near (and sometimes on!) the stage. In the 8th grade, Howie's band won a "Battle of the Bands" contest with him playing guitar!

Former Heartbreakers

Ron

  • Name: Ronald Blair
  • Birthdate: September 16, 1952
  • Single (divorced)
  • Born in Macon, Georgia
  • Attended the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida
  • Bands before Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: RGF
  • Member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: 1975 - 1982
  • Instruments played on TP&HB albums: Bass guitar, Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Helicopter (!)
  • Etc.: Ron owns Shapes, a swimwear boutique in Tarzana, California, and occassionally jams with different Heartbreakers. He recently played Bass Guitar on Stevie Nicks' album, Street Angel. Ron also played on Del Shannon's 1983 album, Drop Down and Get Me.

Stan

  • Name: Stanley Lynch
  • Birthdate: May 21, 1955
  • Single (never married)
  • Born in Cincinnati, Ohio; moved to Gainesville, Florida in the early '60s
  • Bands before Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Styrofoam Soul, Road Turkey
  • Member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: 1975 - 1994
  • Last Gig with TP&HB: The 10/2/94 Bridge School Benefit Concert
  • Instruments played on TP&HB albums: Drums, Percussion, Vocals, Champagne Bucket (!)
  • Etc.: Stan is working as a songwriter and producer, recently with Don Henley. He worked on Hell Freezes Over by the Eagles, and What A Cryin' Shame by the Mavericks.

VH1 Postcards
In March, VH1  broadcast Tom Petty: Postcards From The Road, (Part 1). Filned (by Tom) in Louisville, Kentucky and Indianapolis, Indiana, the first two venues of the 1995 tour, it featured backstage footage and comments by various band and crew members.
VH1 aired Tom Petty: Postcards From The Road, (Part 2) in early May. Tom's oldest daughter, Adria, filmed and narrated this segment which included concert excerpts, backstage shots and brief clips of Tom, the Heartbreakers, and Tom's family (wife, Jane, youngest daughter, Kim, and Adria).
Well done, Adria! 


 Page 6

Who Are Those Other Guys With The Band?

Steve

  • Name: Stephen Ferrone
  • Birthdate: April 25, 1950
  • Single
  • Bands Steve has played with other than TP&HB: Brian Auger Oblivion Express, Average White Band, Duran Duran, Jeffrey Osbourne, Chaka Khan, George Benson, Scritti Politti, Christine McVie, The Buddy Rich Band, Pat Metheny, Bryan Ferry, Eric Clapton and several others.
  • Instruments played on Tom Petty albums: Drums
  • Etc.: Steve played drums on Tom Petty's Wildflowers and is currently touring with the band. He appeared with TP&HB on Late Night With David Letterman and is in the "You Wreck Me" video. A highly respected drummer, Steve is featured as the cover story in the May, 1995 issue of Modern Drummer magazine.

Scott

  • Name: Scott Thurston
  • Married
  • Bands Scott has played with other than TP&HB: He has produced, written, recorded and toured with Jackson Browne. Scott has also recorded with Bonnie Raitt, Melissa Etheridge and Iggy Pop.
  • Instruments played: Guitars, Keyboards, Harmonica, Vocals, Bass, Percussion and more!
  • Etc.: Scott toured with TP&HB in the U.S. in 1991, Europe in 1992, and is currently on tour with them in 1995. He performed with TP&HB at both 1993 Greatest Hits "Homecoming" concerts in Florida, the 1994 Bridge School Benefit, Saturday Night Live, Late Night With David Letterman, the MTV Video Music Awards and is in the "You Wreck Me" video. Scott's nickname on the road is "Duckhead."

In Print

  • The May 4, 1995 issue of Rolling Stone magazine featured Tom Petty as the cover story. The cover was photographed in Chicago in March, 1995.
  • Attention, all you Benmont Tench fans! Check out the May, 1995 issue of Keyboard magazine for a lengthy and very interesting interview with our favorite keyboard player.

Quotes...
"The band is what I really love to do. And working with Tom, writing songs, and playing with the guys in the group is still the biggest joy of my work." -- Mike Campbell interviewed in the 1995 MTV Rockumentary.
"Because it's been such a song time since we've been out. I think people are really looking forward to it. I mean, I know I was." -- Howie Epstein talking about touring in the 1995 MTV Rockumentary.
"The important part, which is playing, and playing heartfelt...that hasn't changed. I think we're better... I think we play better now. I know that I do." -- Benmont Tench interviewed in the 1995 MTV Rockumentary.
"It's all very straightforward -- no click tracks, no synthesizers, very few overdubs -- just real playing. It was almost like making a live record. It was more of a fun situation, and we didn't have the pressure of us on 'Time to record this song' or 'Let's make this song a hit.' It was just 'Let's play this song until it's happening.'" -- Steve Ferrone in response to the question, "What was it like recording with Petty?" from Modern Drummer magazine, May, 1995.
"It's great just being able to watch them play each night... They've been really good to us... They gave us an extra five minutes so we could really jam." -- Pete Droge talking with Cathy Buffington about opening for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, March, 1995. 


 Page 7

Denny Cordell...
On February 18, 1995, Denny Cordell, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' first Producer, died of cancer near his home in Dublin, Ireland. He was 51 years old.
Shelter Records
In 1970, Cordell co-founded Shelter Records with Leon Russell. In early 1974 he met the members of a Florida band, Mudcrutch (Tom Petty, Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench and anothers). By the Spring of 1974 the band was in Los Angeles and in August they signed with Shelter Records. One Mudcrutch single was released in 1975 on the Shelter label ("Depot Street" backed with "Wild Eyes" -- both written by Thomas Petty). Shortly thereafter, Mudcrutch split up and Tom stayed with Shelter.
When Tom Petty, Mike Campbell, Ron Blair, Benmont Tench and Stan Lynch formed the Heartbreakers in 1975, they stayed with Shelter Records, with whom Tom still had a recording contract.
Legendary Producer
Denny Cordell produced their first album in 1976. Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers, and co-produced their second album, You're Gonna Get It! in 1978 with Noah Shark and Tom Petty.
In addition to TP&HB, Cordell worked with many other legendary artists, including Joe Cocker, Procol Harum, the Moody Blues, the Move, T. Rex, Freddy King, Chet Baker, the Gap Band, J.J. Cale, Phoebe Snow, Melissa Etheridge and the Cranberries.
An Artist
In Tom Petty: Going Home, a 1993 Disney Special, Tom reflected on working with Denny Cordell in the early days of his career, "We didn't really like to be told what to do from our first album on. We were always allowed a lot of independence, which I thank Denny Cordell for. We were probably so bad that he just left us there for six weeks at a time and then he'd come check on us. But in the meantime we figured out a lot of ways to make different sounds and we still do that.
"I felt comfortable with him because I dug his records that he'd done, like 'Whiter Shade of Pale,' and the Joe Cocker stuff, and even the first Moody Blues record with 'Go Now.' He'd just done so many good records and was a man of taste, a man of quality, and that meant more to me than signing with a huge corporation or anything. Everybody else just seemed like lawyers to me and here was a man that was an artist."
24-Carat Rocker
In the 1993 Disney Special, Cordell talked about Tom, "I think what he really wanted to do was to really make, you know, sort of great rock and roll records. And as we went along, he learned the art of recording. At the same time the band changed around until it became the really great band it became... Going into the '70s, disco was just rearing its head and there was a huge movement towards that,... rock and roll seemed to be dying out and then, completely out of the blue, here he came, a sort of 24-carat rocker."
Wake Up Time
On February 28, 1995, Tom ended the band's opening night show in Louisville, KY with a dedication to his longtime friend. Walking over and settling himself down at the piano, Tom quietly said, "For Denny," then eased into a soulful rendition of "Wake Up Time."

Petty People
Linda Ronstadt
"The Waiting," written by Tom Petty, is the first track on Linda Ronstadt's new album, Feels Like Home (Elektra). She performed the song live on Late Night With David Letterman and on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
Rod Stewart
The first video and single from Rod Stewart's new album, A Spammer In The Works (Warner Bros.), is "Leave Virginia Alone," a new song written by Tom Petty. Stewart performed the song on Saturday Night Live on May 13.
Bob Dylan
One of Tom Petty's fellow Traveling Wilburys, Bob Dylan, recently released a new interactive music CD-ROM, Bob Dylan Highway 61 Interactive (Graphix Zone).
Short clips from "Bobfest," the 1993 Bob Dylan 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration are included in one of the interactive enviroments through which you can explore. Although Tom is not interviewed "backstage" in the CD-ROM, he can be seen in concert footage during "My Back Pages." TP&HB can be heard in a brief excerpt of Roger McGuinn's "Mr. Tambourine Man."
In the interactive "photo scrapbook," you can find TP&HB with Dylan from their Band Of The Hand days as well as Tom with the Traveling Wilburys. 


 Page 8

Notable Dates In Heartbreakers History:
April - May - June
April 23, 1977 - TP&HB performed at a radio concert taped at the Record Plant in Sausalito, California.
April 24, 1977 - TP&HB performed in concert at Winterland in San Francisco, California.
April 26, 1977 - TP&HB "return to The Whisky," Los Angeles, California.
April 6, 1992 - Heartbreaker Mike Campbell performed at a benefit concert with George Harrison at the Royal Albert Hall in Britain (drummer Steve Ferrone was also there).
May 21, 1955 - Former Heartbreaker, Stan Lynch, was born.
May 14, 1977 - TP&HB played their first gig in the U.K., opening for Nils Lofgren. Audiences loved them; they soon became in great demand as a main act. As Tom commented in Tom Petty: Going Home, "We were informed that the single, 'Anything That's Rock 'n' Roll' had become a hit in England. So they flew us over there and before we knew it, people were asking us questions and we were in magazines and we were on the Top Of The Pops television show. It was high adventure and we just thought, 'Crazy, man.'"
May 7, 1978 - TP&HB appeared on the Midnight Special television show, playing "I Need To Know," "American Girl" and "Listen To Her Heart."
May, 1978 - The movie, "FM," was released with Tom Petty appearing in the film as himself. As a result of the song being in the movie, "Breakdown" was re-released in the U.S. as a single. It shot up in the charts, reaching #40 nationally.
May, 1981 - Their fourth album, Hard Promises,  was released in the U.S.
May 17, 1987 - A fire destroyed Tom Petty's house. Fortunately, no one in Tom's family was injured. The arsonist was never caught.
June, 1976 - TP&HB began work on their first album.
June 11, 1977 - TP&HB returned to the U.K. to appear as the headline act in a triumphant tour of the U.K. During this time they appeared on a German television show, Rockpalast, and the BBC broadcast an Old Grey Whistle Test with footage from The Whisky.
June 26, 1981 - TP&HB performed at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, California with the Fabulous Thunderbirds as their opening act.
June 6, 1982 - Tom Petty performed at the "Peace Sunday, We Have A Dream" concert in Pasadena, California.
June 4-5, 1983 - TP&HB performed at "Mountain Aire '83" in Angels Camp, California.
June 25, 1985 - MTV aired the Tom Petty Special: Southern Accents.
June 6, 1986 - TP&HB performed with Bob Dylan at the Amnesy International "Conspiricy of Hope Benefit" at the Los Angeles Forum. 


 Page 9

Then ... And Now
The Record Plant, Sausalito
"Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers!" With those now familiar words, a young, up-and-coming band was introduced at a concert recorded for radio broadcast at the Record Plant in Sausalito, California. The date was April 23, 1977.
Just before Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers left for their first U.K. tour, they performed at a special promotional taping in front of a small, invited audience of radio station personnel, writers and record store owners.
The band opened the show with the beautiful "Surrender," an unreleased Tom Petty song. Admidst enthusiastic applause, Tom announced, "I'd like to introduce the band to you right off the bat. This is Ron Blair on bass ... the snake man ... Mike Campbell on guitar ... Stan Lynch on drums ... and Benmont Tench on the keyboards!" Then they ripped into a spirited version of "American Girl."
"I want to bring out a friend to play a little right now. His name is Al Kooper and here he comes. And let me hear it for him ... but you gotta stand aside because he's tall. Yeah! Also with us tonight ... Denny Cordell ... all the way from Ireland ... and people too numerous to mention ... Hi, Al." Following that introduction by Tom Petty, Al Kooper joined the band on the small stage to play piano on the defiant "Fooled Again."
Continuing with "I Need To Know," "Strangered In The Night," "Dog On The Run," "Route 66," "Jaguar and Thunderbird" and a haunting version of "Luna," the boys introduced the audience to their own gritty, hard-rockin' brand of rock 'n' roll.
Winterland
The following night, the band played the same set at Winterland in San Francisco, California. In the June, 1977 issue of BAM magazine, reviewer Blair Jackson wrote of the Winterland concert, "...as they rolled through one tune after another -- "American Girl," Chuck Berry's "Jaguar and Thunderbird," "Strangered In The Night," -- the audience became entranced by what they saw and heard. By the midway point in the set, Petty had complete control over the crowd, most of whom had probably never heard of him before that evening. He could elict cheers and screams with the wave of his hand of by shaking his blonde locks."
Writers would echo those same words repeatedly over the many years to follow. In an article dated March 1, 1995 from the (Louisville) Courier-Journal, the band's 1995 opening night show was described, "...By the second song, the sold-out house was singing every word along with Petty and his Heartbreakers... Petty's every gesture was rewarded with cheering that bordered on rapture ... Petty and the Heartbreakers earned it all, and not just with their performance, which was a thing of beauty. Last night's crowd was also cheering Petty just for being Petty."

TV and Video News

  • A new Rockumentary about Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers aired on MTV on April 25. The Rockumentary contained a brief summary of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' recording history as well as mention of the Traveling WIlburys. It showed bits from previous MTV Specials and new footage including a recent interview of Tom Petty with Tabitha Soren in Milwaukee. Studio shots included recording "Zombie Zoo," "Mary Jane's Last Dance," parts of Wildflowrs and "You Got It" with Roy Orbison. Humor was highlighted in Tom's imitation of Jeff Lynne's British accent saying, "Free Fallin'" and a Saturday Night Live skit with Dana Carvey as Bob Dylan and David Spade as Tom Petty.
  • MTV presented On The Road - A Tom Petty Special before the video premeire of "It's Good To Be King." The Special followed TP&HB from the final tour rehearsal on February 17, 1995 in Los Angeles through sound check, concert, backstage and hotel footage in Louisville, Kentucky and Indianapolis, Indiana.
  • VH1 broadcast a Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Special, God Bless Our Mobile Home in mid-March. It was shown again in early May.
  • MTV has been using a performance shot of Tom in their promotional clips for "MTV News, You Hear It First."
  • Video footage from "It's Good To Be King," "You Wreck Me," "You Don't Know How It Feels" and "Don't Come Around Here No More" can be seen in various VH1 promotional spots.
  • Be sure to check out the new 10-video series, The History of Rock 'n' Roll (Time-Life). This video set is available through Time-Life mail-order or check your local video retail store. TP&HB are featured in several different places such as: TP&HB performing with Bob Dylan; Tom talking about the Beatles; etc. 

 Page 10

Greatest Hits Trivia Quiz Answers
1. "American Girl."
2. "Something In The Air."
3. Roger McGuinn.
4. Benmont and Howie's cigarettes and match.
5. Rick Rubin.
6. "Free Fallin'."
7. "Walk This Way" by Aerosmith.
8. "Land Of A Thousand Dances" by Wilson Pickett.
9. The Gulf War.
10. "Anything That's Rock 'n Roll."
11. Tom's Dad.
12. When Tom's house was burned down by an arsonist.
13. It came from the song, "I Got Lucky" from the movie, Kid Galahad.
14. The two albums were: Pack Up The Plantation -- Live! and Let Me Up (I've Had Enough).
15. The Los Angeles (Great Western) Forum in Los Angeles, California.

Great News!
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers are going to extend their 1995 North American Tour!
Watch for new TOUR DATES in your area!
We will keep you informed when the new dates are confirmed!

Opening Act
The opening act for the third leg of the tour (May 16 through June 13) is Taj Mahal.

June Tour Dates
June 2 - St. Louis, MO - Riverport Amphitheatre
June 3 - Kansas City, KS - Sandstone Amphitheatre
June 5 - Oklahoma City, OK - Music Hall
June 6 - Oklahoma City, OK - Music Hall
June 9 - Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Bowl
June 10 - Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Bowl
June 12 - Reno, NV - Lawlor Events Center
June 13 - Mountain View, CA - Shoreline Amphitheatre

Hit Me!
With the opening of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada in March, 1995, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers fans were in for a lucky surprise!
Located in the new casino are Black-Jack tables with various Rock 'n' Roll themes such as "Punk Rock," "Heavy Metal," and "Classic Rock." Each table features a selection of chips named for different musicians. At the "Classic Rock" table you can find Jimi Hendrix purple "Purple Haze" $25 chips as well as Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers "You Got Lucky" $100 chips!!! For those of us TP&HB memorabilia collectors, one of these chips is definitely a "must have!" 


 Page 11

Dear Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers...

VH1 Tickets First
Thank you for your consideration of the average fan to allow us to purchase these great tickets in advance. In my mind, you are one of the best. -- Edward C., Mission Viejo, California.
After hitting my redial button for 1 hour and 10 minutes I did manage to get through. Then I was put on hold for 35 minutes, but it all worked out because I got tickets to see you on March 21, in Albany, NY. -- Kathy R., Connelly, New York.
I was lucky enough to get tickets off of VH1 so I'll be close to the stage cheering you on and screaming my lungs off. Thank you very, very much. -- Chris O., Uniontown, Pennsylvania
(Great thank-you letters for the VH1 tickets were also received from Darsy S., Clearlake Oaks, California, Nick C., Oceanside, New York, and many others!)

Dear Steve Ferrone
Seeing you play many times (with Eric Clapton, George Harrison, and now with the Heartbreakers), I was very impressed by how easily you can adapt to the different musical styles. It's so obvious that you guys are have such a good time playing together -- It's a real joy watching you! -- Alex W., Modesto, California
Mr. Ferrone, even though you're new to the group, you're doing great. -- Andrew B., Chicago, Illinois

Making a Difference
You and your music and Take The Highway video have totally made a great differnce in a young person's life! I would like to thank you and your band so much for all you've done for my son. You see, Douglas was borh autistic. But for reasons unknown your music has seemed to have brought him out of his shell and into the real world ... After many years ... and all the expense of medical research ... his biggest breakthrough has come from Mr. Petty's music. It's been truly magic to watch the transformation of our boy by watching and listening to you ... please accept Rick's and my deepest and most sincere gratitude for what you've done. -- Sandy (and Rick) M., Manitou Beach, Michigan
My dad, Dr. David Gunn, Sr. was assassinated outside of a Florida clinic on March 10, 1993. One of the last memories I have of my father is of him telling me the story of an escapade of his outside of a clinic in Montgomery, Alabama. He played your song, "I Won't Back Down" (which has become a virtual anthem to Pro-Choice activists) to a group of protestors outside a clinic while he sang along with the tape ... although he was under constant threat (where anti-abortion zealots would stalk his every move) he still was able to see patients in three states at five different clinics. He lived the very essence of your song. -- David Gunn, Jr., Birmingham, Alabama

Thank You
March 9, 12:02 a.m. I have just come back from one of the best shows I have seen in my ... life. The concert you put on at the United Center (Chicago) ... was really, really, really, really good. -- Claire Z., Evanston, Illinois

Uniquely Talented!
I'm going to be in my school talent show next year ... and sing, "Running Down The Rain." -- Ricky B., Mentor, Ohio

From Outside The U.S.
The title, Wildflowers, is really nice ... very suitable for you, I think, because you and your music are like wildflowers. They are simple but beautiful and great. -- Kyoko K., Osaka, Japan
I believe you are a fantastic songwriter ... I admire your personality open to life and thoughts ... in the calm of interior balance and self confidence ... from the way you cast glances while smiling with one mouth-corner only ... from the way you have a ready answer/wisecrack, which makes people lagh, and from the way you talk, with a deep hoarse voice lasting in an eternally calm tonality. -- Simonetta C., Pisa, Italy

Write to...
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
P.O. Box 260159
Encino, CA, 91426-9998 


 Page 12

New Tour Dates!
August 10 - Salt Lake City, UT
August 11 - Denver, CO
August 14 - Boston, MA
August 15 - Saratoga, NY
August 17 - Jones Beach, NY
August 18 - Hartford, CT
August 20 - Holmdel, NJ
August 21 - Camden, NJ
August 23 - TBA
August 24 - Washington, DC
August 26 - Pittsburgh, PA
August 27 - Cleveland, OH
August 29 - Columbus, OH
August 30 - Cincinnati, OH
September 1 - Pine Knob, MI
September 2 - Pine Knob, MI
September 12 - Ames, IA
September 13 - Moline, IL
September 15 - Chicago, IL
September 16 - Alpine, WI
September 18 - Ft. Wayne, IN
September 19 - Indianapolis, IN
September 21 - Evansville, IN
September 23 - Lexington, KY
September 24 - Knoxville, TN
September 27 - Raleigh, NC
September 28 - Charleston, SC
September 30 - Atlanta, GA
October 1 - Huntsville, AL
October 3 - Tupelo, MS
October 4 - Jackson, MS
October 6 - Tuscaloosa, AL
October 8 - New Orleans, LA

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers have extended their 1995 North American Tour!
Here's a list of tentative new 1995 Tour dates.
Check your local ticket outlets for specific concert venues and confirmation of these dates.

"...Anything that's rock 'n' roll's fine..."