Mike Campbell Keeps Tom Petty Vibe Alive | New Music & Tour

Producers, musicians, and Tom Petty fans have known him for decades, but far too often, Mike Campbell goes unmentioned on many Best Guitarist lists. The Heartbreakers were clearly one of the best bands in the history of Rock and Roll, and Campbell’s bright; often chime-y sound is almost as much of a signature as Petty’s own voice.

They’re inextricably linked.

But for several years now, Campbell’s band The Dirty Knobs have kept him busy with playing and songwriting and, before Covid, touring. Happily, the touring part is back again – and the entire list of dates can be found here: 2022 Mike Campbell and the Dirty Knobs Tour Dates

The guys start in the Northeast, before heading West, down South, then West again.

And they’re touring in support of the new album, External Combustion, available of digital and CD with pre-orders for vinyl being taken.

Here’s the video for the song Wicked Mind – it’s a hard driving rocker that is maybe like a second cousin to something like Runnin’ Down a Dream.

Many people have noticed that there are traces of Petty in Campbell’s voice – it’s more in the attitude and the delivery, though Campbell himself would demur from being compared to TP in terms of technical ability.

I’m just happy that he and his buds can get back out there and do what they do best. Campbell is a great storyteller (I would point out the story of how he bought the iconic Rickenbacker guitar that TP holds on the cover of Damn the Torpedoes, as well as the story of him writing and producing one of Don Henley’s most important solo songs, The Boys of Summer.)

Campbell also has one of my favorite Instagram accounts of any musician. Often playing and telling tales from his home in Los Angeles: https://www.instagram.com/mikecampbellofficial/

I don’t know about you, but I’m still sad about Tom being gone, but it makes me feel better knowing that his partner since they were teenagers on Gainesville, Florida is keeping the vibe alive.