# Tom Petty and The Who box sets reveal two sides of rock history

> Tom Petty and The Who release box sets showing how rock legends built their careers.
- Title: Tom Petty and The Who box sets reveal two sides of rock…
- Summary: Tom Petty and The Who release box sets showing how rock legends built their careers.
- Keywords: tom petty, the who, box sets, rock history, music catalog, remastered albums, unreleased tracks, rock legends, Salon
- Source: Salon — https://salon.com/2026/11/03/tom-petty-and-the-who-box-sets-reveal-two-sides-of-rock-history
- Author: Caryn Rose
- Published: 2026-11-03T14:00:40+00:00
- Read time: 3 min
- Topics: tom petty, the who, box sets, rock history, music catalog, remastered albums, unreleased tracks, rock legends, news, politics
## Tom Petty and The Who box sets
Two new box sets release for holiday season from Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers and The Who showcase different approaches to exploring an artist’s back catalog with strong results.
## Tom Petty’s Origins 1971-1978
The set includes remastered editions of the first two albums, a live radio show, BBC performance, and two unreleased tracks: 'No Sleep Til L.A.' and 'The Cut Out Bin'.

> It’s not Tom Petty good.
## The Who’s The Who By Numbers 50th Anniversary
The set features remastered album, Townshend demos, live recording from 1976, and a 1975 Silverdome concert with Keith Moon.
## Unreleased tracks in Tom Petty’s set
The unreleased tracks on 'No Sleep Til L.A.' and 'The Cut Out Bin' are deliberately curated into the shape of an album, showing the band’s evolution from the Mudcrutch era to the Heartbreakers.
## Tom Petty’s fanzine
The set includes a 46-page 'Heart Attack' fanzine with photographs, essays, interviews, and commentary from surviving Heartbreakers members.
## The Who’s demo sessions
The set includes initial loose takes with the band, demos of songs like 'Keep Me Turning,' and Townshend’s personal struggles with songwriting and the band’s direction.

> I felt detached from my own songs.
## The Who’s 1975 Silverdome concert
The concert at Pontiac, Michigan in 1975 attracted 76,896 people, setting a record for the largest indoor rock concert attendance.
## Tom Petty’s live performance
The BBC 'Old Grey Whistle Test' performance in 1977 shows Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in full band form with a dynamic stage presence.
## The Who’s 1976 Swansea show
The 1976 Swansea show features Keith Moon’s last proper performance before a U.K. audience, with a mix of live recordings and unreleased tracks.
## Tom Petty’s evolution
The set shows how Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers evolved from the Mudcrutch era to the Heartbreakers, with tracks that blend rock, reggae, and folk influences.
## The Who’s songwriting process
The set includes early versions of songs like 'How Many Friends' and 'Imagine A Man,' showing Townshend’s creative process and struggles.

> I find that the hardest thing for me to do as a writer is to express optimism, general warmth and a feeling of good will to all men in a song.
## The Who’s live recordings
The set includes live recordings from 1975 and 1976, with a focus on the band’s dynamic stage presence and audience interaction.
## Tom Petty’s unreleased tracks
The unreleased tracks on 'No Sleep Til L.A.' and 'The Cut Out Bin' are deliberately curated into the shape of an album, showing the band’s evolution from the Mudcrutch era to the Heartbreakers.
## The Who’s 1975 Silverdome concert
The concert at Pontiac, Michigan in 1975 attracted 76,896 people, setting a record for the largest indoor rock concert attendance.
## Tom Petty’s legacy
The set includes a 46-page 'Heart Attack' fanzine with photographs, essays, interviews, and commentary from surviving Heartbreakers members.
## The Who’s 50th anniversary
The Who’s 50th anniversary edition of 'The Who By Numbers' includes 92 unreleased audio tracks, a live recording from 1976, and a 1975 Silverdome concert.
## Key takeaway

Tom Petty and The Who release box sets that trace their musical evolution and legacy.