One of the most iconic bands in American music history, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers brought their 40th Anniversary Tour to the Frank Erwin Center on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin on May 2, 2017. The tour, which started on April 20 in Oklahoma City, continues through the Spring and Summer with stops planned across the US.
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| Tom Petty |
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| Tom Petty |
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| Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers |
The Erwin Center was packed with enthusiastic fans, ready to sing along to all of their favorite songs. Fortunately, they weren't disappointed in the two-hour show featuring some of Petty's favorite tunes. Of course, with the extensive catalog of music available, he was not able to cover everything he has produced in the last 40 years, but a good assortment of hits and fan favorite's were performed.
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| Tom Petty |
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| Tom Petty |
Opening with "Rockin' Around (With You)" from the bands 1976 debut album , the show gave a great retrospective of the last forty years. Playing hits from the groups albums, as well as Petty's solo efforts, the fans were treated to the likes of "Free Fallin," "I Won't Back Down," "You Got Lucky," "Yer So Bad,"and "Learning To Fly," "And bringing it back to where it all started, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers ended the show with "American Girl" also from their debut album.
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| Tom Petty |
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| Tom Petty |
In addition to earning numerous Gold and Platinum Albums, Tom Petty (both with the Heartbreakers and as a solo act) has received several awards including 3 Grammy Awards, 3 MTV Video Music Awards, a Billboard Music Award, the Radio Music Legend Award, MTV's Vanguard Award, numerous ASCAP songwriting awards, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2002, Tom Petty was inducted into the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame.
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| Tom Petty |
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| Tom Petty |
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| Mike Campbell and Tom Petty |
Band members include founding members Tom Petty - lead vocalist/guitarist, Mike Campbell - guitarist, Benmont Tench - keyboardist, Ron Blair - bassist (who returned in 2002 after a 20 yr absence), and long-time members Scott Thurston - multi-instrumentalist (since 1991) and Steve Ferrone - drums (since 1994).
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| Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers |
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| Mike Campbell |
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| Ron Blair |
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| Scott Thurston |
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| Steve Ferrone |
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| Scott Thurston and The Webb Sisters, Charley and Hattie |
Setlist for Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers:
Rockin' Around (With You)
Mary Jane's Last Dance
You Don't Know How It Feels
Forgotten Man
You Got Lucky
I Won't Back Down
Free Fallin'
Good Enough (With Gary Clark Jr)
Don't Come Around Here No More
It's Good To Be King
Crawling Back To You
Wildflowers
Learning To Fly
Yer So Bad
I Should Have Known It
Refugee
Runnin' Down A Dream
Encore:
You Wreck Me
American Girl
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| Mike Campbell |
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| Tom Petty |
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| Tom Petty |
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| Tom Petty |
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| Tom Petty |
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| Tom Petty |
Gary Clark Jr
Opening for Tom Petty was Austin native Gary Clark Jr. Clark is considered one of the best guitar players around, blending blues, rock and soul guitar skills with smooth vocals to create his unique style.
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| Gary Clark Jr |
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| Gary Clark Jr |
While Gary Clark Jr has performed on stage with some of the greatest guitarists of our time, this was actually his first time performing a solo set in the Erwin Center, the largest arena of his hometown. Fittingly, he was granted a full hour to shred out some of his favorite numbers and warm up the audience for what was to come.
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| Gary Clark Jr |
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| Gary Clark Jr |
Joining Gary Clark Jr on stage were Eric "King" Zapata - rhythm guitarist, Johnny Bradley - bassist, and Johnny Radelat - drummer.
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| Gary Clark Jr |
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| King Zapata |
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| Johnny Radelat |
Clark also returned to the stage to perform with Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers during their performance of "Good Enough."
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| Gary Clark Jr |
Setlist for Gary Clark Jr:
Can't Stop Loving You (Elmer Jones cover)
Travis County
Next Door Neighbor Blues
When My Train Pulls In
Our Love
Cold Blooded
Bright Lights
Shake
Numb
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| Gary Clark Jr |
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| Gary Clark Jr |
