Mike Campbell Opens Up About Tom Petty's Death

Guitarist Mike Campbell had a challenging relationship with Tom Petty, but 'love and respect' never wavered
In his new memoir, “Heartbreaker,” Mike Campbell recalls an afternoon in the early ’70s when Tom Petty — Campbell’s bandmate in a Gainesville, Fla., cover band called Mudcrutch — played one of his songs.
Mike Campbell on what he brought to the Heartbreakers as Tom Petty’s guitar foil
Unsurprisingly, however, the memories of his Heartbreaker days prove most illuminating, and, catching up with Guitar Player ahead of the memoir's release, Campbell has opened up on what he brought to the Heartbreakers as Petty's guitar foil.
Mike Campbell Opens Up About Tom Petty's Death: 'I Don't Torture Myself'
When Tom Petty passed away in 2017, he was on the road with his band The Heartbreakers. The legendary singer-songwriter died of an accidental overdose after using drugs to help ease the pain of a fractured hip.
Guitarist Mike Campbell on his productive but sometimes fractious relationship with bandmate Tom Petty
History is littered with stories of bandmates who, despite appearing to work together hand in glove, didn’t always get along, and guitarist and Heartbreaker Mike Campbell has confirmed that this was most certainly the case when it came to his relationship with de facto band leader Tom Petty.
Mike Campbell shares the struggles and joys of his years as Tom Petty’s guitar partner
With his upcoming memoir, Heartbreaker, due March 18 from Hachette Book Group, guitarist Mike Campbell delivers a spellbinding account of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, the classic American band he was a part of since its inception till Petty’s tragic death in 2017.
My Life With Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Mike Campbell Looks Back
Mike Campbell was always more than just the deeply gifted guitarist for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - songs from "Refugee" to "You Wreck Me," not to mention Don Henley's "Boys of Summer," began with music he wrote.
Mike Campbell Believes This Tom Petty Track Defined the Heartbreakers’ Sound, and I Have To Agree
Guitarist Mike Campbell singled out this Tom Petty track as being the defining sound of the Heartbreakers, and honestly, he's right.
Mike Campbell says it's the original Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers sound, and the guitar he can't live without
Campbell played the Fender Broadcaster on "American Girl" but retired it from the road when a shipping incident convinced him touring life was too risky for the rare guitar
Mike Campbell Knows He Couldn’t Have Saved Tom Petty
Mike Campbell explained why he couldn’t have prevented Tom Petty’s death in 2017, and said his conscience was clear on the matter in March 2025.
“My Conscience Is Clear”: Mike Campbell Is Not Torturing Himself Over Tom Petty’s Death
Looking back on his time with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Mike Campbell knew he did all he could to help his friend and singer.
Heartbreakers Guitarist Says ‘Conscience Is Clear' Over Tom Petty's Death
Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell insisted his "conscience is clear" over his bandleader Tom Petty‘s 2017 death from an accidental drug overdose. "I don't torture myself [over Petty's death]," Campbell,
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Heartbreakers Guitarist Mike Campbell Humbly Chronicles an Epic Career in ‘Heartbreaker: A Memoir’ (BOOK REVIEW)
Mike Campbell might just be the most humble musician in rock music. As guitarist for Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers, he has ...
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Blackberry Smoke & Mike Campbell Confirm 2025 Co-Headlining Tour
Blackberry Smoke will team up with Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs this summer for a run of co-headlining tour dates.