MacMan
09-19-2006, 07:00 AM
Rumor has it Nicks will join Petty
By SARAH L. STEWART
Sun staff writer
http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060919/LOCAL/209190317/1078/news
Stars are falling on Gainesville.
Though Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' highly anticipated Gainesville homecoming concert isn't until Thursday, some of the band members were scheduled to arrive Monday to spend a few days here in advance of the show, said their publicist, Julie Arkenstone.
The show will be broadcast nationally on about 100 radio stations and featured on an upcoming two-hour television special,
But they may not be the only big name in rock coming to town this week. According to Stevie Nicks' official Web site, the artist is slated as a guest singer for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' Gainesville concert and six shows thereafter.
Nicks, with whom Petty had the 1981 hit "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around," joined the band as a surprise guest on the first eight shows of its 30th anniversary Highway Companion tour. In those previous shows, she's performed duets with Petty and joined in on some of the band's other songs.
Nicks' possible appearance is unconfirmed by the O'Connell Center, though Lynda Reinhart, assistant director of the venue, says it's been rumored since the early stages of planning that there may be special guests at the show. Petty's official Web site references Nicks' planned appearance at shows in this, the third leg of the tour.
As for the rockers, who are expected to arrive throughout the week, all indications show they are as excited about returning to Gainesville as their fans are to welcome them.
Petty, who was born in Gainesville in 1950, grew up playing guitar in various bands that included future Heartbreakers Benmont Tench (piano/keyboards) and Mike Campbell (guitar). With the addition of bassist Ron Blair and drummer Stan Lynch, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers released their self-titled debut album in 1976.
Since then, many of their songs have become classics, including "Breakdown," "American Girl" and "Mary Jane's Last Dance." Though some members of the band have come and gone - Blair left, then returned, Lynch departed, to be replaced by Steve Ferrone, and they added musician Scott Thurston to their ranks - the core of Gainesville natives has remained.
The 13 years that have passed since the band last played in Gainesville have only contributed to the excitement surrounding their return.
"I know that they're all very excited to be there," Arkenstone said. "It's a very, very big deal."
Rachel Tench, sister of Benmont Tench, says that she and her brother are excited about seeing each other again. Though they talk on the phone nearly every day, she says she hasn't seen him since their father passed away in April.
"He loves Gainesville," says Rachel Tench, who lives here. "Their families are here, their oldest friends are here."
The show has attracted wide media attention.
Newspapers around the state will be covering the concert, including the Palm Beach Post, Orlando Sentinel and Tampa Tribune. National photo outlets, such as Getty Images, will be here as well, Arkenstone said. There is a possibility that representatives of national media outlets, including Rolling Stone, may attend, Arkenstone said, though the list is still changing and likely won't be completed until the day of the show.
Tickets for the concert sold out in 30 minutes when they went on sale in July, Reinhart said.
The band released a few extra tickets Friday, but those were quickly snapped up, and she says it's doubtful any more will become available.
For fans without a ticket, audio of the show will begin airing locally Thursday at 9 p.m. on 92.5 WIND-FM in Ocala. The show will be broadcast nationally on about 100 radio stations.
Heidi Ellen Robinson Fitzgerald, who also does publicity for the band, says video crews will be on hand to provide footage to entertainment shows and for a two-hour television special likely to air in the coming months, though further details are not yet available.
Sarah Stewart can be reached at (352) 338-3103 or [email protected].
By SARAH L. STEWART
Sun staff writer
http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060919/LOCAL/209190317/1078/news
Stars are falling on Gainesville.
Though Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' highly anticipated Gainesville homecoming concert isn't until Thursday, some of the band members were scheduled to arrive Monday to spend a few days here in advance of the show, said their publicist, Julie Arkenstone.
The show will be broadcast nationally on about 100 radio stations and featured on an upcoming two-hour television special,
But they may not be the only big name in rock coming to town this week. According to Stevie Nicks' official Web site, the artist is slated as a guest singer for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' Gainesville concert and six shows thereafter.
Nicks, with whom Petty had the 1981 hit "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around," joined the band as a surprise guest on the first eight shows of its 30th anniversary Highway Companion tour. In those previous shows, she's performed duets with Petty and joined in on some of the band's other songs.
Nicks' possible appearance is unconfirmed by the O'Connell Center, though Lynda Reinhart, assistant director of the venue, says it's been rumored since the early stages of planning that there may be special guests at the show. Petty's official Web site references Nicks' planned appearance at shows in this, the third leg of the tour.
As for the rockers, who are expected to arrive throughout the week, all indications show they are as excited about returning to Gainesville as their fans are to welcome them.
Petty, who was born in Gainesville in 1950, grew up playing guitar in various bands that included future Heartbreakers Benmont Tench (piano/keyboards) and Mike Campbell (guitar). With the addition of bassist Ron Blair and drummer Stan Lynch, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers released their self-titled debut album in 1976.
Since then, many of their songs have become classics, including "Breakdown," "American Girl" and "Mary Jane's Last Dance." Though some members of the band have come and gone - Blair left, then returned, Lynch departed, to be replaced by Steve Ferrone, and they added musician Scott Thurston to their ranks - the core of Gainesville natives has remained.
The 13 years that have passed since the band last played in Gainesville have only contributed to the excitement surrounding their return.
"I know that they're all very excited to be there," Arkenstone said. "It's a very, very big deal."
Rachel Tench, sister of Benmont Tench, says that she and her brother are excited about seeing each other again. Though they talk on the phone nearly every day, she says she hasn't seen him since their father passed away in April.
"He loves Gainesville," says Rachel Tench, who lives here. "Their families are here, their oldest friends are here."
The show has attracted wide media attention.
Newspapers around the state will be covering the concert, including the Palm Beach Post, Orlando Sentinel and Tampa Tribune. National photo outlets, such as Getty Images, will be here as well, Arkenstone said. There is a possibility that representatives of national media outlets, including Rolling Stone, may attend, Arkenstone said, though the list is still changing and likely won't be completed until the day of the show.
Tickets for the concert sold out in 30 minutes when they went on sale in July, Reinhart said.
The band released a few extra tickets Friday, but those were quickly snapped up, and she says it's doubtful any more will become available.
For fans without a ticket, audio of the show will begin airing locally Thursday at 9 p.m. on 92.5 WIND-FM in Ocala. The show will be broadcast nationally on about 100 radio stations.
Heidi Ellen Robinson Fitzgerald, who also does publicity for the band, says video crews will be on hand to provide footage to entertainment shows and for a two-hour television special likely to air in the coming months, though further details are not yet available.
Sarah Stewart can be reached at (352) 338-3103 or [email protected].