Tom Petty rocks Market Square, revives '60s with classics
By Angel Sherry
The Reflector - Tuesday, March 13, 1990
Although new musical groups are popping up all the time, the older, "classic" groups have managed to maintain their popularity and longevity. It's been a great season for the "classic concerts." It began with the Who and the Rolling Stones then moved on to Paul McCartney and Billy Joel. Next in line was Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
When I heard Tom Petty was going to be in Indianapolis in concert, I told myself I had to go. But being the poor college student that I am, I found my lack of funds would not allow me such a privilege.
Wilburys recording again
The Tuscaloosa News - June 7, 1990
The Traveling Wilburys, the band consisting of rock legends Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne, currently is recording the follow-up to its tremendously successful 1988 debut album.
The fifth Wilbury, rockabilly pioneer Roy Orbison, died soon after the release of the band's debut album. The Wilburys reportedly were considering replacing the singer with Del Shannon, but those plans were dashed after Shannon's death last year.
Lynne recently said the Wilburys are recording their new album as a four-piece band.
"You just can't replace Roy," Lynne said.
"So this (album) is only the four of us, and we're using the same process we used on the first one.
"It's basically us sitting around in a circle with acoustic guitars."
Traveling Wilburys ready another album
By Gary Graff
Dubuque Telegraph-Herald - July 5, 1990
The title of their last single notwithstanding, the Traveling Wilburys have hardly reached the "End of the Line."
Four members of the superstar group -- Lucky Wilbury (Bob Dylan), Nelson (George Harrison), Otis (Jeff Lynne) and Charlie T. Jr. (Tom Petty) -- recently finished laying down tracks in Los Angeles for a follow-up to the 1988 smash "Volume One." They'll finish recording this summer in England, with the album due for release in October and a possible tour to follow. That, however, will be preceded by a song on an album to benefit orphans in Romania.
The surving quartet, Lynne says, is upholding the Wilbury's penchant for simple, melodic, acoustic guitar-based songs that are composed relatively fast.
Still, Lynne says, the fact that there's life for the Wilburys after "Volume One" shouldn't get fans thinking the quartet plans to turn a side project into a serious business.
"It's still every bit a lark," Lynne says. "We wanted to do ('Volume One') in a very low-key manner... We just sort of snuck it out, and it's amazing how the momentum picked up and everybody liked it."
Hillbilly classic makes comeback
Lewiston Sun-Journal - July 16, 1990
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- A wistful hillbilly classic made popular in the 1940s by country singer Hank Snow is making a comeback on an all-star album recorded by the Traveling Wilburys.
"Nobody's Child," co-written by Mel Foree and Cy Coben, provided the backdrop and title track for an album recorded to raise funds for Romanian orphans.
The Traveling Wilburys -- George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty -- get help on their acoustic version of the song by Eric Clapton, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Ringo Starr and Guns N' Roses.
Rock Star Joins Audience in Assailing Encino Project
By Leslie Berger
The Los Angeles Times - July 19, 1990
Rock star Tom Petty joined about 100 other Encino residents Wednesday in condemning as a monument to greed a massive commercial building that includes a six-screen movie theater planned for the intersection of Ventura Boulevard and Hayvenhurst Avenue.
"This is sheer madness and it's being done for greed, rather than the good of the community," said Petty, who said he has lived in Encino at least 15 years and watched the neighborhood's gradual change from small family-owned businesses to sterile office buildings.
"Encino is already prone to small businesses being wiped out and a high vacancy rate in office buildings," said Petty. "I don't understand why we need one that's nearly a mile long."
For one former Heartbreaker, breaking up was too easy to do
By Bill DeYoung
Gainesville Sun - August 8, 1990
As the bass player in Tom Petty's Heartbreakers, Ron Blair went from the nightclubs of Gainesville to the coliseums of the world in just a few years.
He was one-fifth of a wildly successful rock 'n' roll band, and just at the apex of his hard-earned career -- at the time most people would've been content to lean back and count their money -- he threw it away and started over.
In the early '70s, Ron Blair had left Gainesville for Southern California, where the women were beautiful, the beach was nearby, and the music business, in which he hoped to make a buck or two, was a way of life. He was 23.
Tom Petty Just "Won't Back Down"
By John Rescigno
Clarkson Integrator - Tuesday, September 4, 1990
Most everyone can name several of Tom Petty's past hits. His music style is straight rock and roll, and his singles have all been quite memorable. From oddities like "Don't Come Around Here No More" to "Live Like a Refugee," Petty has entertained both sides of the Atlantic for years.
His approach to music has always been a simple one, never experimenting with questionable music styles, that has proven long-lasting. His work with The Heartbreakers has been the bulk of what the world has heard, but how his first solo release has been available throughout the summer. Full Moon Fever is Petty's first break with the Heartbreakers (other than the Traveling Wilburys) and has proven that he can stand rather well on his own.
Produced by Jeff Lynne, who produced the Wilburys, Roy Orbison's "Mystery Girl," George Harrison's "Cloud Nine" among others and the Brains and Brawn behind the legendary Electric Light Orchestra, Full Moon Fever is an enjoyable mix of Lynne's leadership and Petty's talent.
Recordings View: Shake, Rattle and Growing Old With the Wilburys
By Jon Pareles
The New York Times - November 4, 1990
Just about everyone has one or knows one: a garrulous elder relative, maybe an uncle, with a gift for puncturing family decorum. He'll share a racy joke, grumble about the state of the world, make faces at solemn moments, gripe and snicker at signs that he's not getting any younger. For their second album, "Vol. 3" (Warner Brothers 26324; all three formats), the Traveling Wilburys have forged a collective persona a lot like that uncle. From the youngest Wilbury, 37-year-old Tom Petty, to the oldest, 49-year-old Bob Dylan, they're ready to lead rock into an unseemly middle age. "Wilbury Twist" is probably the first would-be dance craze to instruct "Fall on your ass/Get back up/ Put your teeth in a glass."
New Traveling Wilburys Released: Volume 3
By John Rescigno
Clarkson Integrator - Monday, November 5, 1990
Amidst a surprisingly modest of hype, The Traveling Wilburys have released their second album -- Volume 3. Yes, I know. It's simple. They skipped Volume 2. Don't worry about it. Spike, Muddy, Clayton and Boo Wilbury, better known as George Harrison, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne and Bob Dylan, combine their talents to produce an excellent recording.
The sound of Volume 3 is quite similar to Volume 1. Four of the most popular and accomplished guitarists in the business, produced by Lynne and Harrison, combine to make a completely enjoyable sound. Many of the songs have the same bright feeling as "Handle with Care" and "Heading For The Light" did on the first album. The first two songs on the album, "She's My Baby" and "Inside Out" have a strong, present acoustic feeling. While this album lacks the talent of Roy Orbison, who died shortly after Volume 1 was released, it is no less perfect than the first release.