Ticket 2 Ride

Tom Petty has been gone for more than seven years now. Guitarist Mike Campbell was Petty’s co-pilot in the Heartbreakers, as well as an in-demand writer/producer outside of the band.

Campbell was also a touring member of Fleetwood Mac after the departure of Lindsey Buckingham, handling the lead guitar parts. The tour lasted two years, circling the globe.

Mick Fleetwood recruited Campbell to join Fleetwood Mac. “I learned a lot about the guitar by having to learn Lindsey’s parts,” he said. “Nobody sounds like somebody else, but I did the best I could and brought my own vibe to it.”

In addition, Campbell leads his own band, Mike Campbell and the Dirty Knobs, who have just released their third album, Vagabonds, Virgins & Misfits.

I’ve listened to their three albums and Vagabonds is definitely the best. With each release, the writing and production have improved. First came Wreckless Abandon in 2020, then External Combustion in 2022, and Vagabonds in 2024.

Membership in the Dirty Knobs has changed over the years, but it’s clearly Campbell’s band. He writes and sings lead vocals, along with co-producing. The Knobs are supplemented by some regular faces. Steve Ferrone and Benmont Tench from The Heartbreakers, and Graham Nash, Lucinda Williams and Chris Stapleton add their distinctive talents as guest performers.

The album was produced by George Drakoulias, who worked on the previous Knob albums, and has a long history of producing artists like the Black Crowes, Jayhawks, Screaming Trees, and Tom Petty solo and with The Heartbreakers. Clearly, Drakoulias knows Campbell’s sound and has a history of working with him.

“It was almost like destiny or a divine power that brought us together,” Campbell told Rolling Stone in 2018 of working with Petty. A 50 year friendship, starting out in Florida. The Dirty Knobs were Campbell’s side gig even during The Heartbreakers, but Petty wouldn’t allow Campbell to record albums or tour, says Campbell. Save the creative energy for The Heartbreakers.

When I listen to Vagabonds, I hear the 1970s Rolling Stones or the J. Geils Band. Loose, gritty guitar-led rock and roll. Vagabonds is not as noisy as the first two albums and is easier to hear the fine song craft. With the Dirty Knobs, Campbell sought a bluesier sound than The Heartbreakers, yet still rooted in that jangly 1960s vibe. I think Vagabonds is more 1970s sounding, with the crunchy riffs and guitar tonality. It might be that this album sounds so much like a Heartbreakers record. Granted, Campbell doesn’t sound quite like Petty, his voice is more suited for harmony and background, but who’s complaining? Campbell delivers.

“Dare to Dream” could literally be from a Heartbreakers album. The guitar work is infectious and Campbell’s vocal has that familiar sneer. This song is a killer.

In this spare time, Campbell has just penned Heartbreaker: A Memoir that awaits publication. At 74, Campbell doesn’t look anywhere near that age, but he’s obviously rolled up a lot of mileage and quite a story.

“I got my lessons off the records,” Campbell told GuitarPlayer. “I would slow ’em down so I could hear what was going on and copy them, and then I’d speed them back up.”

I’ll review Campbell’s new book next month. In the meantime, check out the Dirty Knobs and enjoy that classic rock sound.