Tom Petty may have been gone for nearly nine years, but for longtime Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell, his presence is still very much alive.
After a remarkable career with Mudcrutch, the Traveling Wilburys, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Petty sadly passed away in 2017 at the age of 66. His death came just one week after he and the Heartbreakers celebrated the conclusion of their 40th Anniversary Tour.
During the tour, Petty had been suffering from severe pain caused by a fractured hip. He reportedly used medication to manage the pain, but on October 2, 2017, he died from an accidental overdose.
Now, nearly a decade later, Campbell has opened up about his memories of Petty, their decades-long friendship, and how he continues to feel his late bandmate’s presence whenever he performs.
Speaking with The Sun, Campbell reflected on his years in music and remembered what made Petty so unforgettable.
“Tom was instantly unforgettable. Of course, he had the long blond hair, but he also had a swagger. He had this vibe around him of knowing where he was going – and he was smarter than anybody else in the room. The whole rock star thing came later.”
Following Petty’s passing, Campbell continued his musical journey. He joined the legendary Fleetwood Mac before going on to perform with his own band, the Dirty Knobs. However, despite exploring new musical directions, his connection with Petty has never faded.
Mike Campbell Still Feels Tom Petty’s Spirit Beside Him
Looking back on their early friendship, Campbell recalled how quickly the two connected through their shared love of music.
“Tom was a hippie dude,” Campbell remembered, explaining how they immediately bonded over their musical ambitions.
“We immediately connected as musicians. We had a similar dream: not to be rock stars, just to be professional and successful. The strongest influence on both of us was the whole British Invasion – The Beatles, the Stones, The Kinks, The Animals. We would draw on them our whole lives.”
That shared passion eventually grew into one of rock music’s most enduring creative partnerships, lasting more than five decades.
Although Campbell admits that losing his longtime friend was difficult, he has gradually learned to live with the grief. One way he keeps their connection alive is by continuing to perform the songs they created together.
“I can’t believe it’s nine years. But as time goes on I’ve dealt with the grief better. I like to perform Heartbreakers songs to keep them alive – to remember and revisit my time with Tom. It is bittersweet, but there are moments when I feel his spirit. He’s right behind me, saying, ‘Go man, go!'”
For Campbell, playing those familiar songs is more than simply revisiting the past. It’s a way of keeping Petty’s music and memory alive for himself and the fans who continue to cherish their work.
He also acknowledged that losing someone so close is not something a person necessarily gets over. Instead, it is something they gradually learn to carry.
“You might never get over the loss of your brother or your father or your mother or your best friend, but you learn to cope. That’s what grief is.”
Nearly nine years after Petty’s death, Campbell’s words offer a touching reminder of the friendship behind their music. And every time he picks up his guitar to perform a Heartbreakers classic, it seems that a little part of Tom Petty is still right there beside him.