Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers - Diamond Head

[mitefiend]

This version of Diamond Head is amazing.

Its slowed down a bit, in comparison to the Ventures original.

But Mike's attention to detail, adding to the original, and ability to improvise and make a medley throughout this song, shows great skill.

Love your playing Mike, you are the man.

[frankisthewalrus]

The Heartbreakers, since their debut w/ Tom Petty, have gone through many different lineups; new drummers;guitarists; even TOM PETTY, but still. . . Mike Campbell has remained faithful for thirty or more years.

[StratPawl]

ehh...

[mlkemper]

did you know they had one of the best surfing albums in history ...SURF AND BURN [they were the BLUE STINGRAYS ..LOL

[tbird13936]

I don't mean to be argumentative, but they haven't gone through that many lineups. Petty, Campbell, and Benmont Tench are all original Heartbreakers. In 1982 Howie Epstein replaced Ron Blair on bass. And in 2002 Ron Blair replaced Howie after he was kicked out. In 1994 Steve Ferrone replaced Stan Lynch on drums after he left the band. And in 1991 multi-instrumentalist Scott Thurston was added for the tour and it turned out to be temporary.

[eamon54]

@tbird13936 sorry but howie wasn't kicked out. he missed being included on the cover of the echo album because he missed his flight. Tom wanted to send a message and went through with photo shoot without him because howie's drug problem was becoming an issue. Howie unfortunately passed away through a drug overdose so Tom asked Ron Blair to rejoin. The rest is history.

[tbird13936]

@eamon54 Howie WAS fired from the band. You're right, he did miss the photo shoot for the cover of Echo. And Tom went ahead with the shoot to send Howie a message. But Howie was kicked out of the band for nearly a year before he died. He was definitely fired. No doubt about it.

[eamon54]

@tbird13936 Please point out where it says Howie was fired. In 'Runnin down a dream' Tom only says that Howie couldn't do it anymore. I have searched high and low to find a statement saying Howie was SACKED.

No one is specifically saying he was sacked probably out of respect for the dead. Perhaps you should refrain too.

[PolyphonicPress]

@eamon54 Yes, Howie was fired from The Heartbreakers for his heroine habit. According to the book Conversations With Tom Petty. Tom says he felt it was the last thing he could to try and help Howie to kick his habit was to cut off his income. Howie died in early 2003 but was kicked out of the band around March of 2002. Just before the recording of The Last DJ. They went ahead with the recording of the album without him, and Ron came back into the band when they were finishing up the album.

[eamon54]

@PolyphonicPress Well I bow to your superior knowledge about Howie's dismissal. We do not have access to that book you are referring to. Like any addict the only path to reform is to admit that that there is a problem. Denying him an income won't stop them as they then turn to theft and crime to support the habit. My last statement still remains extant though and that is the poor fellow has paid the ultimate price which is a real shame really as he was a very fine musician. RIP Howie Epstein.

[nucleardude11]

mikes first song, this is history

[brianeclus]

Great ... absolutely great ... Mike Campbell is awesome ... his playing has always helped to make this band one of the greatest.

[nucleardude11]

totaly

[kronlof2]

We got this at the Gorge in 95 . Thanks for the post.

[SurfCityVideo]

Where is the freaking reverb?? It's bone dry!

[southsideronnie]

too bad for you....Surf played by a real musician doesn't need a ton of reverb Especially if the room has just enought to make the sound and not steal from the peformance.

[SurfCityVideo]

Without reverb, its not surf...

[southsideronnie]

You have a point, but it still is a good performance. I will give you you need reverb as I was so sharply corrected by a friend who is a surf music buff, but he also said it is a good performance...but not real surf....I concede...

[nokie2]

Awesome indeed. Buy all the Ventures records you can find!

[NtheH]

I have 2 points to raise:

1 AAAAAAAAAWESOME!!!

2 B4§T4RDS!!! It's just not fair, why can't I have a and like that?

Thanks TomPettyATHeartbrak, you rock also!