Mike Campbell
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Michael (Mike) Campbell (born February 1 1950 in Panama City Florida) is a guitarist and record producer, best known for his work with Tom Petty.
Noted mostly for his longtime work as Tom Petty's lead guitarist, Campbell was also a successful producer and songwriter on his own. One of the quieter legends of rock, he was an excellent guitarist and perfect companion songwriter to Tom Petty's 'meat and potatoes' rock & roll style.
Campbell graduated Ribault High School in Jacksonville Florida in 1968 and quickly moved to pursue a career in music. He formed a band named Dead or Alive which quickly disbanded. He first met Tom Petty through Mudcrutch keyboardist Benmont Tench who suggested that Mudcrutch needed a 2nd guitarist.
Mudcrutch moved to L.A. and signed a record deal with Shelter records, recording an album in 1974 that ended up being shelved. Formed the original Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in 1975 along with Tench, Ron blair (bass) and stan lynch (drums).
Guitar World magazine noted 'there are only a handful of guitarists who can claim to have never wasted a note. Mike Campbell is ceirtanly one of them".
Campbell co-produced the Heartbrakers albums "Southern Accents", "Pack Up the Plantation Live!", "Let Me Up (I've Had Enough)", "Into the Great Wide Open", "She's the One", "Echo", and "The Last DJ" as well as Tom Petty solo albums "Full Moon Fever" and "Wildflowers".
Apart from the Heartbrakers, Campbell has written for Johnny Cash, Fleetwood Mac, Don Henley, Roger McGuinn, Stevie Nicks, and Brian Setzer.
Mike Campbell now still tours and works on albums with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and is involved with his side-band, The Dirty Knobs.
External links
- The Dirty Knobs (http://www.thedirtyknobs.com) - Mike Campbell's side-band.