Petty, Heartbreakers hitting their stride






In Peter Bogdanovich's brilliant 2007 Tom Petty documentary, "Runnin' Down A Dream," the always mellow but artistically intense singer-musician confesses he would be lost without the Heartbreakers.

"There's somethin' special about this group of people," he said of his longtime bandmates. "I treasure it now because one link in the chain gone can make it all go away."

After Friday night's lustrous, almost unfathomably powerful, sold-out show at Grand Rapids' Van Andel Arena, on the opening night of yet another U.S. tour, it seems unimaginable Petty and his cherished Heartbreakers would ever go away.

Instead, more than three decades into their roots-rocking run, this extraordinary, truly American institution just now might be hitting its musical stride, based on a tour-launching performance that electrified 12,000 strong with stunning musicianship, creative lighting and video, and some of the best damn rock 'n' roll Grand Rapids has ever seen.

From the opening flurry of "You Wreck Me" (usually reserved for Petty's encores), "You Don't Know How It Feels," and "I Won't Back Down" -- and following Steve Winwood's impressive opening set -- it was clear West Michigan was in for something truly special in Petty's third, and by far the best, tour-opening stint here.

Lead guitarist Mike Campbell, frankly, has never been better, Benmont Tench proved he may be the most tasteful keyboard sideman in rock, drummer Steve Ferrone solidified his standing as the Heartbreakers' perfect drummer (dynamic without being overbearing), bassist Ron Blair stayed out of the way while providing rhythmic thunder, and multi-instrumentalist Scott Thurston showed off his considerable vocal skills (especially on the Traveling Wilburys' tune "End Of The Line").

At 57, Petty has never seemed more comfortable in his stage skin, whether stretching his arms out like a bird to strut across the stage or getting bluesy on "Saving Grace" or revving up an already revved-up crowd on "American Girl" to close out a killer encore.

And while this opening night included a little feedback on "Even The Losers" and more than the usual pregnant pauses between songs, this might well have been the best opening night of any Petty tour anywhere, with the band displaying the energy and unbridled glee that comes with getting back on stage for the first time in a long time.

Even the eye-catching, tree-like stage and lighting set-up, with multiple video screens, cubes and a colorful lighted curtain backdrop, ranked as one of the most creative in Petty's tour history.

And compared to the woeful, jam-happy opening performance logged by the Black Crowes the last time Petty played the arena, Steve Winwood delivered one of the strongest opening-act performances I've ever seen. He mixed material from his latest album, "Nine Lives," with hits ranging as far back as the '60s with triumphant, crowd-pleasing renditions of "I'm A Man" and "Gimme Some Lovin' " (which he first recorded at 15), not to mention faves from his years with the eclectic, psychedelic Traffic and solo hits such as "Higher Love."

I just wish more people were paying attention, rather than chattering or heading to concessions, as Winwood, whose voice sounded as strong and soulful, ripped through terrific riffs on both organ and guitar, backed by a band that sounded way tighter than it had a right to sound for the first night of a tour. He even managed some nasty lead guitar work, doing his best impression of Eric Clapton, on "Dirty City" from the "Nine Lives" CD.

Still, Petty managed to up the ante considerably, unleashing the standard fan faves "Free Fallin'," "Refugee" and "Runnin' Down A Dream" with old gems such as "Straight Out Of Darkness," [sic] which the band hasn't played live for two decades.

"I know we're gonna have a good time tonight," a cheery Petty gushed early on.

No kidding: Fans were screaming in the arena lobby 15 minutes after the band had left the stage.

Few rock artists reflect their personalities so fetchingly and so genuinely on stage as Petty, whose toothy smile, infectious melodies and lyrical hooks seemed inextricably fused together in concert, sort of like the roots rock, punk, New Wave, country, folk, blues and smidgens of Southern rock that converge within his songs.
Maybe that's why Petty's fans -- especially those hailing him heartily at the arena Friday in the Heartbreakers' fourth overall visit to Grand Rapids -- feel such a strong, personal connection to their hero and his beloved band.

In that Bogdanovich film, actor Johnny Depp, who appeared in Petty's 1991 video for "Into The Great Wide Open," described the rocker this way: "He sort of defies any kind of category. It's just Tom Petty."

Just Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. What else does anyone need?


Setlist
You Wreck Me
You Don’t Know How It Feels
I Won't Back Down
Even The Losers
Saving Grace
Mary Jane's Last Dance
Sweet William
End Of The Line
The Waiting
Straight Into Darkness
Spike
A Face In The Crowd
Learning To Fly
Don’t Come Around Here No More
Refugee
Runnin' Down A Dream

Mystic Eyes
American Girl

Looks like the Omaha show is sold out, Martha.

Unless Joey's holdin'...

TP's never had a "solo" touring band.
The tours supporting his solo records have been with The Heartbreakers.