From Rolling Stone · Andy Greene · · 2m
Heartbreakers reunite for first full performance since Tom Petty
The legendary band will play together for the first time in a decade, backed by Chris Stapleton at the Americana Awards.
In brief
The legendary band will play together for the first time in a decade, backed by Chris Stapleton at the Americana Awards. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are performing as a full band for the first time since his death in 2016, marking a significant moment for the surviving members. Originally reported by Rolling Stone.
Heartbreakers reunite after a decade
For the first time since Tom Petty's death in 2016, the full Heartbreakers lineup will perform together at the Americana Awards on Wednesday night.
The lineup includes founding members
Founding members Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench, Stan Lynch, and Ron Blair will perform with Chris Stapleton, joined later by Steve Ferrone and Scott Thurston.
They'll receive a lifetime achievement award
The Heartbreakers will open the Americana Awards and receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the end of the show.
New box set chronicles early years
The Tom Petty estate is releasing Origins 1971-1978, a box set covering the band's formative years with previously unreleased material and collaborations with Al Kooper, Leon Russell, and others.
Box set available in multiple formats
Origins 1971-1978 comes as a four-disc or five-LP set, each with bonus Blu-ray and DVD, releasing November 6th.
Unreleased track features Young Sheldon actor
A preview of the unreleased track Parade Out Loons is available now, with a music video starring Young Sheldon actor Iain Armitage.
Journey from Florida to Los Angeles
The box set begins with No Sleep Til L.A., tracing Petty's move from Gainesville, Florida to Los Angeles in 1971 and the band's early studio sessions, with seven previously unreleased tracks.
Includes remixed albums and live performance
The set features remixed and mastered versions of the band's first two albums from 1976 and 1978, plus a live show from the Record Plant in 1977 and a 1978 BBC appearance.
“[It was] one of the greatest performances we had ever seen by a band at the top of their game.”
Mike Campbell on never replacing Tom Petty
A year after Petty's death, Campbell said the band would never perform Heartbreakers songs with another vocalist, as nobody could fill those shoes.
“We love each other too much not to do that. Nobody can fill those shoes.”
Campbell envisioned different future projects
Campbell suggested the Heartbreakers might back another respected musician on new material, but ruled out performing classic Heartbreakers songs without Petty.
“It definitely would have to be all new material. It wouldn't be going out and doing Heartbreakers songs without Tom.”
The bottom line
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are performing as a full band for the first time since his death in 2016, marking a significant moment for the surviving members.
