Igi's Notes

Today I found a great video of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, from the Live Aid concert in 1985. I am a huge Tom Petty fan since many years. In my opinion, he is one of the most talented songwriters in the music biz, and besides this, he is an outstanding live performer with a great band.

Especially his lead guitarist, Mike Campbell, fits perfectly on the list of guitarists I introduced already on this blog. As Porl Thompson, the Edge, and John Fogerty (to just mention some), he is not necessarily a virtuoso, but a major league sideman with an awesome feeling for what a song needs. Besides his work with Tom Petty, he also played one of the best lead guitar parts in the history of pop music on Don Henley’s mega hit “The Boys of Summer“, which he also was co-writing. If you like good solid rock guitar with a great sound, then Mike Campbell is a guy you definitely should check out.

So, when listening to Tom Petty’s music next time calibrate your ear a bit on his lead guitar – as I usually do

And here a little sample: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers with “Refugee” featuring Mike Campbell on lead guitar.

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