AKA
05-18-2002, 07:13 PM
Petty Takes the Heartbreakers Out
Original bassist back for thirty-one-date trek
By Andrew Dansby
Rolling Stone
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers have lined up a thirty-one-date U.S. tour to launch on June 27th in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The band will test run material from their upcoming record, The Golden Circle, though make no mistake about it, there will be no such Golden Circle VIP seats at these Petty shows. "I've gotten into this whole golden-circle thing," Petty said of the album's title, "about how they sell these seats down front at the venues with the names of the big companies. And it drives me nuts."
The tour will be something of a Heartbreakers reunion, as original bassist Ron Blair has rejoined the band. Blair, who jammed with Petty and the Heartbreakers during their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March, has officially replaced Howie Epstein, who replaced him in 1982.
According to a statement, "the band has parted ways with Howie Epstein because of his ongoing personal problems." Late last year, Epstein was arrested along with Carlene Carter, after they were pulled over in New Mexico while driving a car that was reported as stolen. Police retrieved a small amount of heroin from the vehicle.
As for The Golden Circle, Petty and the Heartbreakers have been working with producer George Drakoulias (the Black Crowes), as well as Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham and Jon Brion (Fiona Apple, Aimee Mann) on the album, which is slated for an October release. "I feel that what we're doing is every bit as relevant as we've ever been," Petty said. "The great thing is that it's not over. I hope I'm not getting the gold watch."
Some tickets for the tour are currently available in a pre-sale at www.tompetty.com, with tickets for the first six dates going on sale to the general public on May 18th.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers tour dates:
6/27: Grand Rapids, MI, Van Andel Arena
6/28: Cuyahoga Falls, OH, Blossom Music Center
6/30: Milwaukee, Marcus Amphitheater
7/3: Darien Center, NY, Six Flags
7/5: Saratoga Springs, NY, Performing Arts Center
7/6: Holmdel, NJ, PNC Bank Arts Center
7/8: Uncasville, CT, Mohegan Sun Casino
7/10: Manchester, NH, Verizon Wireless Arena
7/11: Mansfield, MA, Tweeter Center
7/14: Hershey, PA, Star Pavilion
7/16: Burgettstown, PA, Post-Gazette Pavilion
7/17: Bristow, VA, Nissan Pavilion
7/19: Raleigh, NC, Alltel Pavilion
7/20: Charlotte, NC, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
8/6: Orlando, FL, Waterhouse Arena
8/7: Miami, Mars Music Amphitheater
8/9: Atlanta, Hi Fi Buys Amphitheater
8/10: Birmingham, AL, Oak Mountain Amphitheater
8/13: Cincinnati, Riverbend Music Center
8/14: Indianapolis, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
8/16: Kansas City, Sandstone Amphitheater
8/17: St. Louis, Riverport Amphitheater
8/19: TBA
8/21-22: Denver, Red Rocks Amphitheater
8/24: San Bernardino, CA, Glen Helen Blockbuster Pavilion
8/25: San Diego, Coors Amphitheater
8/28: Boise, ID, Idaho Center Arena
8/29: Reno, NV, Reno Hilton Amphitheater
8/31: Sacramento, CA, Autowest Amphitheater
9/1: Concord, CA, Chronicle Pavilion
(May 16, 2002)
Original bassist back for thirty-one-date trek
By Andrew Dansby
Rolling Stone
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers have lined up a thirty-one-date U.S. tour to launch on June 27th in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The band will test run material from their upcoming record, The Golden Circle, though make no mistake about it, there will be no such Golden Circle VIP seats at these Petty shows. "I've gotten into this whole golden-circle thing," Petty said of the album's title, "about how they sell these seats down front at the venues with the names of the big companies. And it drives me nuts."
The tour will be something of a Heartbreakers reunion, as original bassist Ron Blair has rejoined the band. Blair, who jammed with Petty and the Heartbreakers during their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March, has officially replaced Howie Epstein, who replaced him in 1982.
According to a statement, "the band has parted ways with Howie Epstein because of his ongoing personal problems." Late last year, Epstein was arrested along with Carlene Carter, after they were pulled over in New Mexico while driving a car that was reported as stolen. Police retrieved a small amount of heroin from the vehicle.
As for The Golden Circle, Petty and the Heartbreakers have been working with producer George Drakoulias (the Black Crowes), as well as Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham and Jon Brion (Fiona Apple, Aimee Mann) on the album, which is slated for an October release. "I feel that what we're doing is every bit as relevant as we've ever been," Petty said. "The great thing is that it's not over. I hope I'm not getting the gold watch."
Some tickets for the tour are currently available in a pre-sale at www.tompetty.com, with tickets for the first six dates going on sale to the general public on May 18th.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers tour dates:
6/27: Grand Rapids, MI, Van Andel Arena
6/28: Cuyahoga Falls, OH, Blossom Music Center
6/30: Milwaukee, Marcus Amphitheater
7/3: Darien Center, NY, Six Flags
7/5: Saratoga Springs, NY, Performing Arts Center
7/6: Holmdel, NJ, PNC Bank Arts Center
7/8: Uncasville, CT, Mohegan Sun Casino
7/10: Manchester, NH, Verizon Wireless Arena
7/11: Mansfield, MA, Tweeter Center
7/14: Hershey, PA, Star Pavilion
7/16: Burgettstown, PA, Post-Gazette Pavilion
7/17: Bristow, VA, Nissan Pavilion
7/19: Raleigh, NC, Alltel Pavilion
7/20: Charlotte, NC, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
8/6: Orlando, FL, Waterhouse Arena
8/7: Miami, Mars Music Amphitheater
8/9: Atlanta, Hi Fi Buys Amphitheater
8/10: Birmingham, AL, Oak Mountain Amphitheater
8/13: Cincinnati, Riverbend Music Center
8/14: Indianapolis, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
8/16: Kansas City, Sandstone Amphitheater
8/17: St. Louis, Riverport Amphitheater
8/19: TBA
8/21-22: Denver, Red Rocks Amphitheater
8/24: San Bernardino, CA, Glen Helen Blockbuster Pavilion
8/25: San Diego, Coors Amphitheater
8/28: Boise, ID, Idaho Center Arena
8/29: Reno, NV, Reno Hilton Amphitheater
8/31: Sacramento, CA, Autowest Amphitheater
9/1: Concord, CA, Chronicle Pavilion
(May 16, 2002)