1980s
The Petty Archives

Editor's Note: Not only is Phil Jones' name wrong, but poor Howie is rendered as a bunch of question marks.

Band Stand: Heartbreakers - no 'Petty' act
By Valerie Hood
Los Angeles Collegian -- Friday, April 22, 1983

After hearing that Tom Petty had cancelled two previous concerts at the Universal Amphitheatre because of laryngitis, I went to Tuesday's sold-out show not expecting a whole lot.

Petty's voice is rough enough; laryngitis would only turn the travel to sandpaper while knocking out any zip he might have.

As soon as he took the stage and opened his mouth to sing, all concerns vanished -- it was Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in true form.

Needless to say, the show was great. After a bit of trouble at the start (technical difficulties stalled the show for five minutes), Petty lived up to his desire "to be good for you guys."

He proved to be an excellent showman during the 90-minute set, bantering with the crowd and his band. Like the crowd, Petty and the boys seemed to be having a good time.

Relying mainly on his own album material, Petty deviated a few times with "Hang on Sloopy" (a rousing rendition of "the oldest song we know"), and a softer Everly Brothers tune.

Backed by his capable band, Petty leaped, two-stepped, talked and bounced through a wide selection of his material.

Petty oldies such as "Breakdown," from his first album, "Don't Do Me Like That," "I Need To Know" and "Listen to Her Heart" were warmly received, as was newer material.

His voice showed no sign of strain or hoarseness as the band moved from one fast-paced number to another without missing a beat.

The band went through its paces without a change in the swift tempo, and Petty lead the way.

Midway through the set, he slowed things down a little with a nice acoustic break. Trading his electric guitar for an acoustic, Petty delivered "Louisiana Rain" under the eerie glow of a yellow spotlight illuminating him and leaving the rest of the band in darkness.

The pace quickly changed, and once again he was back to the high level rock he does best.

Petty introdued the members of the Heartbreakers at various points during the show, whenever each one's particular talents were spotlighted.

On guitars, vocals and harmonica was T.P. himself, and doing a fine job at that. Lead guitarist Mike Campbell was an absolute powerhouse, as was drummer Stan Lynch.

Bill Jones, percussion, Benmont Tench, keys, and newcomer ????????????????????, bass, fill out the Heartbreakers.

The evening's only low point came when, after a foot-stomping, get-on-your-feet-and-dance version of "Refugee," the concert ended. No encore, no final bow, no nothing.