Interview: Ron Blair + Scott Thurston of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

Read more on the Reverb blog here: goo.gl/uvSCsx
Browse Reverb's handpicked Gear of Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers: goo.gl/s5KD1e
Shop Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers albums on Reverb LP: goo.gl/gm91eQ
A legendary band require legendary gear, and Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers may go down in history as having the best stash of vintage guitars, amps, keyboards, and all the rest. In this video, Ron Blair and Scott Thurston are the bedrock of the Heartbreakers rhythm section and they stopped by the Reverb office for a hang session, talking the gear they use and the inspiration it has brought them over the years.

[@kevhow2190]

The thing that made/makes Scott so good is he doesn't try to "carve" a place out. He's called himself a "Sidebreaker." He is so good. Not a show off. The whole band just all fit in so well together.

[@Cap683]

Ron is really amazing. He plays to the song but is always super creative. Listen to "The Waiting" bass work.

[@bikeluversusie2522]

I love Scott Thurston! He is so underated!

[@janhensley5410]

I do too.

[@charlesdoherty104]

Great guy, great musician , steady performer and excellent on backing vocals 👍

[@Starrygirl63]

He’s absolutely underrated! He’s multi-talented on so many instruments and he’s a fantastic backup vocal too 💘❤️

[@lesleyfarrington4809]

Me too. He is amazing

[@stevenalbertbartlett2688]

He played in our band...at 13 ..Scottie 2 us,,,little genius..still izz ha ha

[@Starrygirl63]

2 of THE most real and genuine guys ever!

[@CasselGerard]

Total gold. Special people. So much love for these guys xxx

[@jeffreyfoj9800]

I find it really cool that every guy in the Heartbreakers, including Tom Petty, are so genuine and seemingly ego-less. Just such cool people. Digressing completely, everyone knows the Ron Blair story with the band. Being from Milwaukee, Howie Epstein's hometown, I sure am. Anyways, takes an amazing "family man" and husband to walk away from the band when they had just reached superstardom. Like any couple, I'm sure Ron and his ex-wife had an argument or three. Can you imagine them in a "no talk" moment, driving down the road in So Cal and a new Heartbreakers song comes on the radio and all Ron would have to do was turn his head and give her THE LOOK! RIP Tom Petty. Thanks for posting this. Cool guys.

[@grimeyhonkyracing3938]

I especially love Thurston's guitar work on Iggy's new values album

[@atawolobongo]

You gotta love that Ron Blair doesn't even mind getting stuck being the mic stand for the whole interview. Mensch.

[@salmonesque]

Ron Blair is a sweetheart guy. Such a warm human and great bass player.

[@suereaney7097]

I'm a huge fan of TPATH, and have seen a heck of a lot of interviews of Tom, Mike, and Benmont, too, but there doesn't seem to be so many of Ron and/or Scott which is such a shame. I really enjoyed listening and watching that, thank-you. One of the things I adore about TPATH is that they often say so much without speaking. It's all in a look. And you can see that between Ron and Scott here. :) Great stuff!

[@thriftdig]

Blair is the coolest guy ever... just a solid as a rock bassist

[@tinabarbera4308]

I'm totally in love with Ron Blair....first time I watched Runnin down a dream I was a goner!!

[@MrChamboman]

Enjoyed that interview........Love the Heartbreakers!

[@barbaramccroy8663]

Their songs are based on a lick or a riff. Very interesting. One thing is very clear, Tom Petty And The Heartbreaker’s are a bunch guitar loving men and then you have Benmont Tench 🎹who is a wanted man for his keys and Steve Feroni🥁 who is the Lion with the touch who see’s it all. Thank you for sharing.♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️🧚🏻‍♂️

[@richardlynch5632]

Mr. Thurston wails a mean harmonica as well! KILLER😎👍❤🖖

[@Starrygirl63]

“If you play a new guitar in our band you get the stink eye...” lol 😂🎸💜

[@daevidharvey7113]

Scott Thurston - Iggy Pop's "New Values" 1978 a Classic Rock Masterpiece of playing & Songs !! One of those Bests 10/10

[@bobgure]

Yes! Brilliant record, with Thurston's absolute mastery. One of my fav albums. Thanks for recognizing this essential gem.

[@daevidharvey7113]

Some albums never get old - the songs , the players, the sound and production and lastly The Vocals ! Iggy has recorded with a huge cast of tasteful dudes - I’d say his styles have changed more than any other artist in town “I’m an African Man” !@@bobgure

[@bobgure]

@@daevidharvey7113 Yes indeed. The difference between quality and passing trend. Wheels of Fire, A Salty Dog, Bollocks and Ramones' first are still as fresh now as ever for me.

[@daevidharvey7113]

@@bobgure funny (as a teenager) when “Punk” & then “New Wave” whatever ‘77-‘’82 etc there was a huge dividing line in musical tastes for by far most music fans - not many understood , I remember one year as an example ‘80 I saw The Stranglers , Rush , Kraftwerk , Ramones +++ Toronto... people mostly didn’t grasp and enjoy multiple styles ... 10 years later it became safe haha silly ... gotta love music , if it’s good it’s good - You Know

[@bam2913]

I love Scott and Ron, they add so much to the band and are amazing musicians in their own right. They definitely don't get as much attention as they deserve. Rock on, guys!

[@user-po5bi6jb9g]

Listen to Scott play organ in Iggy Pop’s band in 1977, a fantastic musician

[@christinekay3254]

I absolutely love the combination of Scott Thurston and Jackson Browne.

[@tommymccracken487]

great stuff!

[@drewa1999]

Almost sounded like Scott said, "I don't les for anything..." Ron looks smoooked! Rad dudes!!

[@shawnuel]

Thank you Ron for not coloring your hair anymore. You look GREAT with grey head and beard.

[@Blaren1]

can't find an affordable mic stand on Reverb??? roll eyes

[@electronicmail7521]

Wow. I have a serious crush on Scott Thurston

[@70sgirl8]

I have a big crush on Scott Thurston.

[@Starrygirl63]

He’s great!! Have you seen the interview with him and Ron Blair talking about what it was like working with Tom??! They’re both very laid back funny guys 😃💘

[@70sgirl8]

@@Starrygirl63 I need to watch that! Thanks!

[@firstboyonthemoon8876]

I came here hoping that Scott Thurston would talk about his amazing guitar work on the masterpiece New Values LP by Iggy Pop. Anyone else?

[@1022rebelreddog]

agree rnr band mvp.

[@1022rebelreddog]

riot

[@gottadomor7438]

I like the othre spelling.

[@brooklynboy1000]

will there be a Heartbreakers Tour in 2018 ? Queen does it. INXS has done it. A shame to let a great band fade away. No disrespect to the great Mr Petty.

[@brooklynboy1000]

wildcatter63 Dylan... I think with Tom there he kept it all grounded, but with just the Heartbreakers and Dylan, it might be possible...but it's a stretch at this stage. Sure in 85 when they were young, hungry and still trying to figure out how to really sustain big concerts as performers. All of them are so talented. We'll see !

[@brooklynboy1000]

Benmont already is out there with a new album of his own, bout time... Im sure Ferrone doesnt have to worry - yeah Lynch was a pain in the ass. Big ego, compared to guys like Gadd, or Keltner who seem so humble. But he was young and - a clown drummer.. just ask Jimmy Iovine.. lol Mike C will probably end up producing and co-writing with lots of people in Nashville and LA. Geoff Lynn is OK, I guess, I find him kinda bland in terms of beats.. very dumbed down rudimentary stuff.. But that simplicity did seem to offer the backbone of some of Toms later hits. Simplicity is always something that allows certain songs to reach more people.. not musicians... regular people who connect with a line, a message, a feeling. and not just showing off. Thats what made TEC so good. I still remember Damn the Torpedos - post high school.. and really liking it. Just straight up rock and roll popping out of car spaeakers. That all a young man wants as he faces his future.

[@rodriga.3854]

El entrevistador tiene la voz de Jonh Fruciante xd

[@1022rebelreddog]

these guys are a roit