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Mike Campbell


Hofner Bass

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Since he's a recent GP cover boy, it should be mentioned that I saw the Heratbreakers last week and they remain one of the best collections of touring guitar porn. Obscene amounts of vintage gear and, as always, guitar changes for both Tom and Mike after every song. I'd love to see a more extensive GP article on their gear- like, I'd love to know what pedals Mike uses for solos because his tone is alwasy impeccable.

 

One thing about seeing those guys live: it really points out how smart it would be for any up and coming bands to rack up like 35 hit songs. Audiences seem to really respond well to a whole setlist of smash hits.

boom boom boom boom
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seriously....

 

I've seen Petty and the Heartbreakers a couple of times. I agree, they are awesome. What a tremendous live band! I remember seeing them in something like 1979, and distinctly remember wondering why all of those women were literally throwing themselves onto the stage, considering how ugly Petty is!!!! KIDDING....I suspect it has something to do with how truely moving their songs and performances are!! And, I've often thought that Mike Campbell is one of the most under rated axe men ever. I saw them last year, and he was playing those cool Vox speaker cabs (??6 or 8 x 10's???). He also seemed to have a number of different old Les Paul Juniors with the "SG" body style. He had one or two in white, which I'd love to get my hands on!! They are such simple guitars, but play so well. And, Mike is especially good at getting a monster tone out of those old P-90's.

 

Tone is an amazing thing. We all want great old toneful axes, and amps, etc.. But, think of how much tone comes from the hands and mind of the player....that's the magic of tone.

 

And, Mike has "the magic" in spades!!

 

Don

Don

 

"There once was a note, Pure and Easy. Playing so free, like a breath rippling by."

 

 

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=574296

 

http://www.myspace.com/imdrs

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I saw 'em a few years ago with Jackson Browne opening.

 

Great show.

 

When they did "Breakdown" (not my fave Petty song by any means, but)...Petty sang..

 

"It's alright if you love me

It's alright if you don't"

 

And that's it. He didn't sing anymore on that song.

 

The audience sang the rest. All 10,000 or so of 'em.

"Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine"
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And yeah...MDRS...Petty isn't exactly a Tom Cruise or George Clooney lookalike (cof). Living proof of why ugly guys like me chose to put their money in learning guitar. "GQ coverguy and male supermodel" just wouldn't work for me at all... ;)

 

But, the guitar hasn't really worked all that many wonders for me either. It got me married to a gal who, after over 20 years, probably still thinks "Okay, you've got me now, you can give up that guitar nonsense"... :rolleyes:

"Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine"
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Mike Campbell has been all over the place in recent years.

 

He played guitar on Johnny's Cash's American Recordings III, including Hurt and contributed his songwriting/playing skills to a cut on the new Dixie Chicks album. It sounds like the Chicks doing a classic Tom Petty song thanks to Mike's involvement.

 

I love the guy's playing and writing. Petty wasn't one of my musical inspirations early on, but it wasn't long before I realized what a cool cat he was and what cool cats he surrounded himself with, including Mr. Campbell. :thu:

It's easiest to find me on Facebook. Neil Bergman

 

Soundclick

fntstcsnd

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Petty's history is pretty amazing. He signed a terrible contract as he started his career, and then had a much publisized effort to "get out of it". He actually eventually filed for bankruptcy, if I recall correctly. But, I'd say he made a fairly significant comeback... :thu:

Don

 

"There once was a note, Pure and Easy. Playing so free, like a breath rippling by."

 

 

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=574296

 

http://www.myspace.com/imdrs

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Under the word tasteful in the dictionary is a picture of Mike Campbell.

 

I'm not too sure, but I think that I recall reading that he helped write, played on, and co-produced a couple(?) of Don Henley records--Building the Perfect Beast & possibly The End of the Innocence. Definitely a couple of good records, not to mention all of the Heartbreakers stuff over the years.

 

I agree with you, mdrs, I think that he is one of the most under-rated guitars ever. Definitely of the less is more camp.

Avoid playing the amplifier at a volume setting high enough to produce a distorted sound through the speaker-Fender Guitar Course-1966

 

 

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Originally posted by Greg B.:

Under the word tasteful in the dictionary is a picture of Mike Campbell.

 

I'm not too sure, but I think that I recall reading that he helped write, played on, and co-produced a couple(?) of Don Henley records--Building the Perfect Beast & possibly The End of the Innocence. Definitely a couple of good records, not to mention all of the Heartbreakers stuff over the years...

Mike did, indeed, produce Building The Perfect Beast. That was one hell of a record, not only from the song and production standpoint, but in addition to Mike playing on tracks there was Danny Kortchmar (longtime sideman to James Taylor as well as Henley), Ben Tench (keyboard player for the Heartbreakers) and many other incredible, famous musicians. That was really a superband kind of album masquerading as a solo effort of one talented, ex-Eagle. ;)

It's easiest to find me on Facebook. Neil Bergman

 

Soundclick

fntstcsnd

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When you get that kind of talent together, nothing but great things are gonna happen. :thu:

Avoid playing the amplifier at a volume setting high enough to produce a distorted sound through the speaker-Fender Guitar Course-1966

 

 

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