Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ legendary 20-night run in 1997 at The Fillmore in San Francisco will be the subject of a new deluxe box set. The title, “Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Live at The Fillmore 1997”, arrives November 25th, 2022, via Warner Records. The collection is available as a 4-CD or 6-LP deluxe edition, as well as on 2-CDs, and 3-LPs. Six of the shows were professionally recorded and the editions contain numerous previously unreleased performances. The 4-CD edition includes 58 tracks, 35 of which are covers. Much of the band’s well known repertoire such as “American Girl,” “You Don’t Know How It Feels” and “Runnin’ Down a Dream” is included, with often re-arranged and distinctive versions.
The band always enjoyed playing a choice selection of classic songs on their setlists and the new release offers plenty, paying tribute to the artists that Petty and the band had been influenced by. Highlights include the Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” as well as spirited versions of “Louie Louie” and “Gloria,” plus “You Ain’t Going Nowhere” featuring guest Roger McGuinn, are among the set’s ample track listing.
Listen to the performances of Petty classics “Listen To Her Heart” and “I Want Back Down (acoustic),” as well as a rollicking cover of J.J. Cale’s “Call Me the Breeze,” below.
Tom Petty, was born October. 20th, 1950, was 47 years old at the time of the concerts. To put the timeline in perspective, Petty had released his great solo album, “Wildflowers”, in 1994 and the band had released the music for the feature film, “She’s the One”, in 1996. Of the concerts, Petty said, “We all feel this might be the highpoint of our time together as a group… It’s going to be hard to get us off this stage tonight.”
Since Petty’s death in October 2017, his Estate and bandmates have carefully mined his archives. 2018’s “An American Treasure” set which included “I Won’t Back Down” from the Fillmore run. 2020’s “Wildflowers & All the Rest” also featured music from those concerts. Multiple tracks also appeared on 2009’s The Live Anthology set. The new Fillmore set is a collaboration between the Estate and Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell.
The 4-CD set includes a 32-page booklet (with previously unseen photographs), three custom guitar picks, a replica All Access laminate, and an embroidered patch (“The Fillmore House Band” – a term that was bestowed on The Heartbreakers during the shows at the Fillmore).
The numerous covers include Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door,” J.J. Cale’s “Crazy Mama” and “Call Me the Breeze,” The Rolling Stones’ “Time is On My Side” and more from The Kinks, Everly Brothers, Bill Withers, Ray Charles, Chuck Berry and Booker T. & the M.G.’s. John Lee Hooker guests on “Boogie Chillen.”
Mike Campbell said, “Playing the Fillmore in 1997 for a month was one of my favorite experiences as a musician in my whole life. The band was on fire and we changed the set list every night. The room and the crowd was spiritual… AND… we got to play with some amazing guests. I will always remember those nights with joy and inspiration.”
Did someone say ‘Heartbreakers beach party’?”
The Fat Angel Sings 