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Concert Date: July 18, 2010 Performers: · Tom Petty · Mike Campbell · Benmont Tench · Ron Blair · Scott Thurston · Steve Ferrone Related Sites: · Want to know more about Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers? Check out their official site here! · And don't forget the Drive-By Truckers! Grade: A+ Mojo, the latest album from Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers

I'm throwing whatever tiny bit of impartiality I may typically posses out the window. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were the first concert I ever saw, way back when the Verizon Amphitheater first opened as the Riverport Amphitheater. I was still in high school, and my musical tastes were all over the place. I listened to the catchy rap of Young MC, the tough gangsta rhymes of Ice-T and the NWA, and the wide spectrum of rock & roll. This was the late 1980s/early 1990s, so I was still basking in the glory of "Reagan Rock" -- the New Wave 80s pop, synth pop, one-hit wonders, etc. But I also nurtured a deep appreciation of classic rock: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Cream, Journey, The Doors, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath (yep, I like the harder stuff too). I was aware of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, but mine was a crowded musical landscape and they were admittedly lost in that collage of styles and music that made up my record collection.

And then The Traveling Wilburys came to town. Not literally, unfortunately. I would have loved to see Tom Petty, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison and Jeff Lynne on stage together. Their first album increased my interest in Petty's work exponentially. Less than a year later, the first of Tom's "solo" albums, Full Moon Fever, was released. To my eager ears, this was a masterpiece. To my now presumably wiser ears, it still holds up as one of the best albums you'll ever listen to from beginning to end. So when The Heartbreakers rolled into St. Louis to rock our then-new concert venue, I all but camped outside the box office for tickets.

It's been nearly 20 years since then. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers had released their self-titled debut album in 1976 -- I was three years old. I wish it hadn't taken me so long to really "discover" their music, but it was a joy to collect their back catalog. And I've had a fantastic time at every one of their concerts that I've been privileged to attend through the years.

The July 18th, 2010 show at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater was no exception. This tour, in support of their newest album, Mojo, featured the consistently strong showmanship The Heartbreakers delivery whenever they play. The Heartbreakers don't really do "theme" albums, but Mojo has a distinct feel and consistent rhythm throughout. The songs are a little slower, somber, and firmly rooted in the blues. That's not to say they aren't catchy and likable, but they're not the sort of sound that the corporate controlled rock stations are going to rush to play. That's OK with me, though. I think Mojo demonstrates a period of personal and professional comfort for the band. They've been at it 35 plus years (not counting Mudcrutch, the original Tom Petty band that also featured future Heartbreakers founders Benmont Tench on keyboards and the highly talented and grossly under-appreciated Mike Campbell on guitar), they've earned their accolades

photo credit: Ken Calcaterra, 2010

Opening for The Heartbreakers on this leg of the tour was Drive-By Truckers, a southern rock band from Georgia with a comparable sound to The Heartbreakers, heavily influenced by Lynyrd Skynyrd. I felt bad for them as they attemted to connect with an audience they couldn't see. The bright St. Louis sun was setting behind the seats, blinding the band. Still, they played gamely and were warmly accepted by the audience. I'm interested in exploring their music more myself, after hearing them live.

As the skies over St. Louis finally grew dark, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers took the stage. The set opened with one of my all-time favorites, "Listen to her Heart." They follow that with rousing renditions of "You Don't Know How It Feels," "I Won't Back Down," and "Free Fallin'." "Oh Well" was a surprise, with the band having a bit of fun covering the Fleetwood Mac song from the Bob Welch era. I dare say The Heartbeakers might even do it better. The band continued on with "Mary Jane's Last Dance," "Heading Down To Georgia," -- a rare song for them to play live -- and "Breakdown." The Heartbreakers then take the audience through the recently charted waters of Mojo with "Jefferson Jericho Blues," "Good Enough," "Running Man's Bible," "Takin' My Time," and "I Should Have Known It." I would have liked to hear "The Trip To Pirate's Cove" and "Don't Pull Me Over" as well, but of course if the band had started playing at lunchtime and finished up at Maryland Height's extraordinarily lame 11:00 pm curfew, there would still be favorites left unplayed. They ended the main set with "Learning To Fly," "Don't Come Around Here No More" and...suddenly that was it.

My good friend and photographer for this show, Ken Calcaterra, leaned in and asked, "Did you notice Campbell sitting down for the last three songs?" I had not -- I'd been focused on Petty. After a few moments in which some folks headed for the exits, Tom himself came back to the microphone. "Let me tell you what's going on. Mike got a little sick right there at the end, so he's getting checked out in the back. If he can come back out, we're gonna play a bunch more for you." As the crowd waited patiently, a chant of  "Mike! Mike! Mike!" rose from the crowd. St. Louis takes for granted that our summers are hot and humid, but I suspect Mr. Campbell fell victim to the terrible trio: heat, humidity and stillness. There was virtually no breeze, and as hot and steamy as it was for the fans, I'm sure it was exponentially hotter under

photo credit: Ken Calcaterra, 2010

I freely acknowledge that Tom Petty's voice isn't universally appealing. People either love him or they don't. If you're one of those that don't, you might be surprised if you give his recent offerings Highway Companion and Mojo an honest listen. Like a fine wine, Petty's voice has gotten better with age, and the songs, some co-written by  Mike Campbell, have matured as well. The Heartbreakers, guitarists Mike Campbell and Scott Thurston, long-time bass man Ron Blair (who returned to the band in 2002, coming full-circle 21 years after he originally departed to replace his own replacement, Howie Epstein, who passed away in 2003), keyboardist Benmont Tench, and drummer Steve Ferrone, are one of the most consistent acts you'll ever see live. Some bands sound terrible on stage, owing their success to gaudy overproduction. The Heartbreakers have always been a little stripped down, a very honest, forthright, what-you-see-is-what-you-get sound. This performance was no exception. Every one of them is a fine musician in their own right, but I can't say enough about Mike Cambell. Discussions of rock guitarists usually start with Eddie Van Halen, segue either toward Zakk Wylde if the conversation is slanted towards hard rock/heavy metal, Alex Lifeson from Rush representing the progressive point of view and Eric Clapton or Jimmy Page for those with a nostalgic bone for blues-rock. It's a shame Campbell doesn't often get the recognition he deserves, having written songs or played guitar for the likes of Don Henley, The Wall Flowers, Fleetwod Mac, Brain Setzer, Roger McGuinn, John Prine, and the late, great Johnny Cash.

photo credit: Ken Calcaterra, 2010

Mike Cambell may be one of the most under-the-radar names in rock & roll, but Heartbreakers fans know the truth. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are one of the most talented and enjoyable acts in my lifetime. Their 2002 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was well deserved. Treat yourself to a night of great music by talented musicians led by one of the most unique voices in the industry whenever they come to town. I do, every time, and it always reaffirms my faith in rock and roll and that the whiny emo bands and corporate puppet bands haven't completely taken over. Hope you feel better, Mike.