Mike Campbell stands poised to illuminate the intricate tapestry of his friendship with the late Tom Petty. As a cornerstone of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Campbell occupied a prime vantage point throughout the singer's career, instrumental in etching the band's indelible mark on music history with smashes like "American Girl" and "Learning to Fly." However, he was also an eyewitness to the stormier chapters of Petty's life, feeling an impotence that hindered his attempts at intervention.
"Our conversations weren't laden with sentimentality," Campbell mused in a recent interview with The Independent, contemplating his bond with his fellow musician. "We're guys, through and through."
This no-nonsense approach extended far beyond the realm of music. When Petty embarked on a heroin-fueled journey in the '90s, Campbell hesitated to confront him directly, harbored doubts about his ability to effect change. "It might have played out something like this," he elaborated. "'Tom, I'm genuinely concerned for you. You're harming yourself. Perhaps it's time to consider a change.' And Tom would have shot back, 'What does Mike know about my life? This is my affair. Back off.'"
The guitarist added, "Tom wasn't one to be persuaded easily."
Echoing these sentiments during an earlier chat with Guitar Player this week, Campbell, who delves deeper into his shared experiences with Petty in his forthcoming memoir, Heartbreaker, stated, "With Tom, it was crystal clear: 'Your personal life is yours to navigate, and mine is mine.' I could see what direction you were heading, but out of respect, I trusted you'd make the right choices. Should you ever need me, a simple call was all it took."
Petty passed away at the age of 66 in 2017, a victim of an accidental drug overdose. Discovered unresponsive in his Malibu abode, he was hastily rushed to the hospital, only to succumb to his fate a few harrowing hours later. This tragic event unfolded mere days after the legendary rocker had wrapped up an epic 40th-anniversary tour alongside his loyal bandmates. At that juncture, Petty was grappling with a hip injury that had worsened from a crack to a full break, prompting him to self-medicate in an attempt to alleviate the pain.
When quizzed about whether he harbored any guilt over the band's decision to proceed with the tour despite Petty's condition, Campbell shared with Guitar Player, "I refuse to torture myself with such thoughts." Regarding Petty's drug use, he elaborated, "My conscience remains clear because Tom was aware of my awareness, and he knew I wasn't pressuring him or confronting him about it. We had an unspoken understanding, and I didn't need to confront him for him to comprehend my stance."
He further recounted, "There was never a moment of hesitation or doubt about embarking on the tour. In fact, in our last conversation about it, I asked him, 'Are you absolutely sure you want to do this? Are you physically capable?' He responded with unwavering determination, 'I'm not staying put at home. I'm going out there. I want to do it. Even if it means performing from a wheelchair, I'll make it happen.'"
Campbell also reminisced about their manager's suggestion to postpone the tour so that Petty could undergo immediate hip surgery, but Petty steadfastly refused. "Tom insisted, 'I need to be on stage. I want to play with the band, and that's what we're going to do. I'll be alright.' Therefore, I have no regrets. I refuse to dwell on what could have been. I did everything within my power."
Campbell's latest tome, titled 'Heartbreaker: A Memoir,' vividly chronicles his journey as the lead guitarist of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, spanning from the band's inception in 1976 to Petty's untimely demise in 2017. Set to hit bookstores on March 18th, this poignant memoir promises to offer an intimate glimpse into the legendary rock band's history.
