Mike Campbell interview (Myth vs. Craft, Ep. 6) AUDIO ONLY

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The legendary Mike Campbell covers a number of topics that include how his father influenced his appreciation of music, the cultural impact of The Beatles’ performance on The Ed Sullivan Show, his approach to songwriting, the decision to leave the University of Florida to join Mudcrutch, how he collaborates with Tom Petty, fronting his club band The Dirty Knobs, his perspective on artistic evolution, his thoughts on recording & producing music and how his favorite new guitars compare to his vintage instruments. He also talks about his involvement with the Tazzy Animal Rescue Fund, which is a non-profit that rescues dogs, gets them medical attention and helps them find good homes.

[@jacksoneverage7163]

Mike is an absolute Gem of a guy. His guitar work throughout the years on all the Heartbreakers records and Tom’s solo stuff, plus the songs he’s written and produced. He’s phenomenal and should be more well known. But I think he likes being known as the Co-Captain and just laying in the cut laying down those smooth licks. Great interview.

[@MythvsCraft]

Thank you for the kind words Jackson. I agree that Mike is a gem in every way.

[@kw3900]

Mike Campbell IS the greatest lead guitarist around as far as I'm concerned. A million kudos to him.

[@HallWayGang]

Campbell never wasted a note. amazing guitarist.

[@dannydine5263]

Thats a good way of putting it and i like him more than a lot of the flashy guitarists for that reason.He plays the song.The song is more important to him than the guitar.

[@Stonerandlush]

He is underrated. It's a shame because he is phenomenal!

[@thelastrebelshow1627]

Not just a great guitarist but a very likable person. I have been a fan for 40 years +.

[@johngerson7335]

What a great guitarist and what a gracious guy. I can't imagine how much he's hurting right now with the passing of Tom (Rest peacefully Mr. Petty, thanks for everything!) but I sure hope that maybe he'll dig in to his archive of songs and share some of them with us all at some point up ahead. Bless you Mike, so sorry for the loss of your musical partner, many respects to you and your bandmates sir.

[@Stonerandlush]

Can’t even tell you how much I enjoyed this interview! Mike is such a revelation and should be more well known. Absolutely love this man.

[@lesharrison3739]

I've been on a huge Mike Campbell kick. This is the best interview with him and the most in depth. I love how he was continually impressed by the quality of your questions. Sadly miss the band and Tom Petty. Thanks for this.

[@balerjohnson3099]

Mike has always been top of my list since I was kid his guitar is amazing his love for animals and humans in general is well known for those who want to know . I spent hours trying to learn to play Mikes riffs . Love you Mike ..Im still trying to learn those riffs .

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

Yeah, great dude

[@buddymorgan3198]

I love this interview Mike seems to be such a down to earth guy who would not give you that rockstar ego and the fact that he is involved with helping dogs and vets is, further proof that he is a genuine person free of the egotistical attitude that precedes most famous musicians.

[@MythvsCraft]

Buddy Morgan Thank you for listening and for sharing your thoughts. You’re spot on.

[@Maverikk68]

My favorite guitarist of all time! Tasteful and skilled. What really separates him from wannabe great guitarists is that he can play as fast as them, but only does so when it fits the song. He has the skills to play anything, and the discipline to know when to play it. Sometimes, playing one note and using vibrato and letting the note keep ringing is much more effective than trying to play a solo with as many notes as you can play. Mike Campbell delivered on whatever the song required. Never a better lead guitarist than Mike.

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

Right on

[@randyallshouse1996]

Mike is my favorite old school guitarist his ability to ride notes and play with touch that no one else has what a great player thank you Mike for all the music

[@jeffreyfoj9800]

Great guitarist and a great guy.

[@warrencook4612]

What an absolutely refreshingly informative interview. Mike Campbell sounds like a guy you'd enjoy having a beer with and talking music. I can't imagine how fulfilling his work has been and more recently, the tremendous loss he must be feeling with the death of Tom Petty.

[@MythvsCraft]

Thank you for taking the time to listen and to share a comment Warren. Cliches aside, speaking with Mike was a pleasure and an honor. I lost my brother unexpectedly last year and can only imagine that Mike must be going through a similar, awful experience.

[@warrencook4612]

Thank you, the pleasure was mine and of course, deepest condolences to you from Canada.

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

One of the top 20 guitarist of ALL time...ANY genre

[@jeffbeguinmusic7157]

Fantastic interview! For my money Mike was the heart and soul of the greatest band of all time. I look forward to everything he does.

[@gds6636]

Probably the best interview of a guitarist I've heard. Great job! And I agree with the other comments that he is one of the best players ever, and probably the most underrated. I was fortunate enough to be part of a small group that met with him before the Tazzy benefit show. He could not have been more gracious, humble and generous with his time. Great cause, as the interviewer stated ....make a donation if you can!

[@MythvsCraft]

+GDSinMB Thank you for such a nice compliment! Mike deserves all the credit. What a generous, humble gentleman.

[@limmil9764]

I'm slowly discovering Mike. What a sweet, engaging, genuine human.. in addition to his musical skillset and talent. This interview is a real pleasure to listen to. Well done, sir. RIP Tom :( I genuinely hope Mike will make it through this heart shattering time in one (soul) piece.

[@paulgeorgia8013]

This is such a great interview in many respects. First the interviewer asked perfect questions. Next, Mike such a giving person and is so welcoming in providing insight into both his and Tom's collective genius. I'm so sorry for the loss of Tom

[@MythvsCraft]

Thank you for the kind words Paul. Mike exceeded all my expectations when we spoke.

[@kw3900]

And thanks for the interview with Mike. I enjoy hearing from him.

[@MythvsCraft]

+Karen Winder You are very welcome Karen. Speaking with Mike was a thrill for me and I'm so glad that you and others enjoyed the conversation too.

[@MAgaSUXX]

I first heard of Mike Campbell when I heard Don Henley talk about how he wrote “the boys of Summer”… which happens to be one of my very favorite songs of all time. He said that Tom Petty had turned down the music and Mike offered it to him. From then on, I was always in awe of how someone could write such a beautiful musical piece. It reminds me of how Don Felder wrote the music to Hotel California which happens to be the Eagles greatest song. I think I’ve always loved Tom Petty and I felt like their music was simple, but powerful and I don’t mean that as a put down… It’s a compliment. Their music is so tight and like mike says ultimately….“Is the song that counts“.

[@jamesandrews8157]

I completely agree that Mike is quietly one of the most underrated players because he serves the song. Very thoughtful questions, thank you for this great content.

[@MythvsCraft]

Thank you for the kind words James!

[@brooklynboy1000]

Mike rules. god bless the heartbreakers

[@johnshields6852]

A blend of simple notes and chords, melodies that become hits are very elusive, every songwriter ever will tell you it's maddening to chase a hit song, sometimes a throwaway song becomes a hit, or a cover of an old song, it's a magical spontaneous moment when it just clicks, if only you could bottle it.

[@mjt5576]

He's one of the most musical guitarists ever. Very underrated. He really "gets it". Excellent interview. Great questions!

[@MythvsCraft]

Thank you very much Martin.

[@mjt5576]

I wasn't aware of your site until today. I just subscribed.

[@MythvsCraft]

Thank you Martin! I've been fortunate to have some inspiring conversations with great, great artists. I encourage you to check out some other episodes at www.mythvscraft.com.

[@mjt5576]

Cool! I'll check them out. I love this stuff. Thanks again.

[@hubertsumlin9697]

i can relate to what the host was saying in his intro. i had a similar experience. in high school a couple girls took me and a friend to a Petty show, 1994. i wasn't even driving yet. i liked the grateful dead and howlin' wolf. but the heartbreakers came on and it was just ONE KILLER TUNE AFTER ANOTHER. a cumulative effect. and you realized what an incredible body of work they had. VERY IMPRESSIVE.

[@jammininthepast]

What a humble, genuine, honest and down to earth man. Truly a breath of fresh air...Rock on Mike you are loved by your fans.

[@thinman8621]

Mike's great successful work as a musician speaks for itself. That he is a nice person is wonderful and it really comes through in the interview. Thanks

[@johnwillard6198]

This is how a great interview should go . ❤️🙏

[@tefenstrat]

its absolutely astonishing to me how many famous musicians there were that really became dedicated to playing music at an early age after watching The Beatles on Ed Sullivan. We are talking about big named bands that really ended up changing our lives and the world. I will just name a few but there are SO MANY MORE. Starting with Mike Campbell, Ann and Nancy Wilson, Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Jackson Browne...the list goes on and on. It's surreal to think that when I watched that show live, future rock stars were sitting watching it at that same time. love Mike Btw....

[@antonioperez6479]

Mike is simply one of the coolest guitar players and a very humble one as well> Great interview!

[@GodInTheMachine]

Thank you so much. Mike is a real hero of mine. Great interview.

[@MythvsCraft]

Thank you! He's a true legend.

[@buddygibson6884]

Thx ! Great interview. I love his relation ship with the word his muse. Songs can volunteer themselves. It just comes to you. Being in the right state of mime ,true to your craft is important. Simplicity is the key,, not easy to do at times. Write it down or record it when it’s fresh. Keeping it fresh is the hard part. This was inspiring thanks again.

[@JustinHaglerMusic]

The best ever, hands down!!! It's not always what you play, but how you play it!!!

[@anitragavin5000]

Thank you, great interview. My favorite musician~ period.

[@MythvsCraft]

+Anitra Gavin Thank you Anitra. Mike is indeed an incredible musician. I didn't know what to expect but he turned out to be so nice and humble.

[@KFam715]

This was a great interview! I've always loved Mike and see him as the "Silent" heartbreaker lol He really opened up and talked about alot interesting stuff!

[@MythvsCraft]

Thank you for listening and taking the time to share your comment.

[@oggi3]

Great interview with some great questions! I really enjoyed listening to this!

[@MythvsCraft]

Thank you very much Oscar.

[@savannahlt1]

Great interview…it is nice when the person conducting the interview takes the time to really research the guest and ask intelligent questions…and then just listen ..especially with a guest like Mike Campbell because he is so giving of his time and stories and as you hear ..he was impressed with the host’s quality of questions. Nice job..nice interview

[@MythvsCraft]

Thank you for taking the time to listen and for the kind words Paul.

[@barbaramccroy8663]

“🦆” excellent interview. I listened to this interview this summer riding down the road and listening to the interview while my roommate held the phone up to my ear while I was driving. Thank you great interview couldn’t agree more that Mike CAMPBELL is or was highly underrated. I have been paying attention to his talent since my siste told me about Tom petty and the Heartbrearers in the 80’s. She said you will love this band and I have!. Very nice interview.

[@barbaramccroy8663]

Your just a fucking bull shit of a person that play the guitar. The one thing I said to my self when I didn’t know where you went Mike was he is either married or a womanizer. You didn’t even act like you were married . I’ve stuck up for you on like and I had string feelings about someone hurting your feelings but you could care less...I came to California twice and the second time I just wanted to be a part of but 2014 no one recognize d at least to me why you weren’t there and I got over it I was so happy for you when you joined Fleetwood Mac I stuck up for you then . I’ve always had your back thinking you were this special person and I guess you ate but instead of ruining with all the goodness you reap from this special gift. The more you keep doing the more it seems like your just trying to prove something ..... a lot of musicians ate just like actors . Stuck on your self.i cried s millionaire years at the airport in 2014 and when I got home I said this will take 2 years to get over and I did and it did take 2 years to listen to music again. I do believe in forgiveness and always will and instead of remembering I hope I forget about all of this as I get older and I’m a much more of a person of live then ugliness. Everyone wants to be famous I just wanted to see the person I met in 2010 again but I still haven’t found him I don’t know who this person is in all the outfits and etc...you have been very expensive for me but that has been my mistake. This might 3/15/2022 was a heartlessness night thanks for the dry, heartless, and lately show kind of person you have become. No not my blues yer just a cut above I guess. Enjoy and soak up my kind words and they are sincere when it comes to the music but again my mistake of what what kind of person you really are.. when you and who ever texted me after the Fleetwood Mac show and I was at my friends house I

[@kwahyaj]

1979, Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, I was a little late but showing my ticket to security they directed me to the door and I emerged right in front of the stage. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were just killing it. Perfect sound, perfect loudness and surrounded by beautiful blonde coeds. Heaven.

[@mrcell61]

That was a great interview!

[@MythvsCraft]

Thank you very much Kevin. It was a thrill and an honor to speak with Mike.

[@victoriakolega1115]

Loved the interview!!!!!!!

[@DontLetTheOldManIn]

This is the best interview of a guitar player I have ever heard. Having heard dozens if not hundreds of interviews, most of them really silly, unprepared, shallow, uninformed, the questions were perfect guitar player questions. I listened to the entire thing while working. I am not encouraged to listen to your other interviews. Others could learn from your research, attitude, selflessness required of a great interviewer.

[@MythvsCraft]

Thank you very much Shane. Words of appreciation like yours are the fuel that motivates me to product this content.

[@DontLetTheOldManIn]

Good! Having played guitar since 8 and being 52 now, and should have been an interviewer. We share a genuine love of stories and a natural curiosity for how people attain levels of success, hence the reason I have read, listened to and watched so many interviews. You're a really good one. I hope your site takes off.

[@jamesrolwing4810]

Very good interview with thoughtful questions and thoughtful answers.

[@MythvsCraft]

Thank you for the kind words James!

[@shannonkringen]

cool interview. tom petty and the heartbreakers is my favorite band

[@shannonkringen]

www.tazzyfund.com/index.html

[@Leel3ones89]

Great program. Thank you for this

[@Pswift]

Thank you for the kind words Lee.

[@biggiebaby3541]

1976...geez, I was in 3rd grade.. and it sounds just a fresh today.

[@mark1952able]

Great interview! Mike is underrated and one of the good guys of rock

[@jasonlee8497]

What i call a 'song musician' or 'song player'....not just showing off, or always getting in your stuff.....but sympathetic to the song and the band....always ends up the best music to listen to and enjoy.

[@jcrice1745]

"In tune" with the song. Mike Campbell sets the standard.

[@yourguitarist]

I love your podcast! Please keep 'em coming! :)

[@MythvsCraft]

+Lou Lombardi Wow, thank you Lou. Comments like yours give me fuel to continue doing this.

[@yourguitarist]

I'm a podcaster too... so I get it man. You have some great guests... Ian Moore on your first show? That's amazing! and you get these guys to open up. Keep 'em coming. Stay in touch too! :)

[@bonfireballads]

Great interview!

[@briane4953]

Great interview! Mike's a classy guy!

[@MythvsCraft]

+Brian E Thank you very much for listening.

[@melaniekaweck3433]

Brian E Yeah thanks for posting always believed or " wanted to believe" these guys were different and wouldn't be deterred

[@1960fusion]

wow...great interview...thank you!!!

[@juanitomp]

Great interview and nicely conducted!

[@MythvsCraft]

+juan martinez Thank you Juan. I appreciate your kind words and am glad that you enjoyed the interview.

[@DjangoThunders]

That was awesome! What a great guy!

[@marvinstarr6399]

Mike Campbell is one of the greatest live players I've ever seen live. Hundreds of live shows I've witnessed Angus Dime Kim Thayil Richards Gibbons EVH rush among war more and he is top2 for sure

[@MrMrONeill]

Great interview with a Great Guitarist & Person.

[@MythvsCraft]

Thank you for listening Rick.

[@CarolStJohn-ev9ry]

What an excellent interview. I'm subscribing.

[@MythvsCraft]

Thank you for such kind words Carol.

[@eliminator7ful]

This interview made me subscribe.

[@donkkong5551]

Underrated musician and guitarist.

[@davidguthrie3739]

Excellent interview!

[@MythvsCraft]

Thank you David!

[@john84896]

I would recommend any interviewer to listen to this...and even think about writing these questions down...the questions allowed mike, who we all love in guitar community (even if the breakers aren’t your fav ever) , to really go deep even in the short span of the session...no flab here...pin perfect questions that allowed insightfullness...what a great job 👍 IMO

[@MythvsCraft]

Wow. Thank you for such kind words John. The opportunity to speak with Mike was a true privilege. I was fortunate to get to do so. Within a few minutes of starting our conversation, he made *me* feel more comfortable by being so earnest, friendly and forthcoming. Thank you for listening!

[@john84896]

Pleasure was mine sir keep it up you’re one of the best I’ve heard 👍

[@bronzeageancientone4844]

MC is, by far, the tastiest lead player of our time.

[@ZeligUbique]

fantastic interview- well asked, well answered

[@MythvsCraft]

Thank you for listening and sharing your kind words.

[@BlakeNix]

This was great.

[@DavidBaker-gm6vw]

Best SuperBowl Halftime Show Performance Ever

[@StephenMTomic-rj3ne]

Anyone here watching this interview should go watch Mike Campbell perform his song "Diamond Head." Enjoy!

[@raybassman7536]

The 1% band was actually Ronnie and Skynyrd.

[@CarolStJohn-ev9ry]

I was kind of shocked when neither one mentioned that, especially since Mike is from Jacksonville.

[@DavidRodriguez-ju7zk]

I wonder which guitar he likes best?

[@user-ku6fx2zf8e]

I miss Tom.

[@GoldienOC]

Woohoo... I hit #420~~

[@mrod3526]

Well I don't want to say Mike Campbell is incorrect but The One Percent later became Lynyrd Skynyrd. Berry Oakley joined Dickey Betts's band, the Blues Messengers, later called Second Coming. So if he saw The One Percent he saw Lynyrd Skynyrd. Great interview though, thanks.

[@jameshazen2907]

Yeah that’s right. But he has so much credibility and talent I wouldn’t correct him.

[@sesa2984]

Scotty Moore.

[@mylord4321]

Mike is a technician George Harrison was a technician. They get what they need the sound they need out of their guitar it's not flashy. They gave us something else they gave us great style and great music. The Beatles mccartney and Lennon. They wrote some great songs. But George Harrison by himself he wrote something in the way she moves he comes the sun these are iconic songs at The Beatles is that put out. Harrison songs will be played 50 60 years from now just like John and paul. There was 4 front men in the Beatles. Keith Richard's said to Harrison . And we have to deal with MICK BEING THE STONES FRONT MAN.

[@gnawbabygnaw]

“… I was gonna do it No matter what….”

[@Tim.Pierce]

Rip Tom Petty.. Wonder what Mike, Benmont and rest of The Heartbreakers gonna do now that Tom is gone.. will they remain The Heartbreakers or break up the group and go solo?

[@chipperdave6833]

NiagaraTim I hope they become solo they still have a lot of opportunities as to what they could do

[@jamesball5743]

How underrated can you be when you’re that rich??

[@anthonyrussell1329]

Telling the future writer/co-writer of some of the most beloved classics the world has heard...a world class musician..."he's not qualified" to be in a music program.Wow. You never know where one's life will end up. I'm glad he didn't listen to the critique.

[@sirbaronvoncount4147]

Writing great tunes is a far more useful skill than playing guitar fast

[@mikedambeck7136]

Love him dearly but the one percent was not the band that became The Allman Brothers Band. It was Lynyrd Skynyrd!

[@crystellejohns8831]

i grew up in jacksonville mike is 2 years older the band was the second coming that played on bay street downtown that eventually became the allman brothers.

[@nicholaswoolfenden5254]

Great player. Wasted in Mac.