Mike Campbell on Vibrato Technique and Influences | Reverb Interview

Mike Campbell is one of the most recognizable axe-men in rock and roll. But what makes a signature sound? Campbell would say, it's mostly in the fingers. In this video, Campbell uses "Breakdown" to talk about vibrato, as well as his influences as a guitar player.
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[@jonnybirchyboy1560]

Mike and Tom Petty were a match made in Heaven, the fates were perfectly aligned when they met each other. And the rest of the band too.

[@mardin56]

This man simply cannot play a bad note. Extraordinary guitarist.

[@drothberg3]

Love Mike Campbell's playing. The epitomy of great guitar playing that serves the song.

[@mike1967sam]

Look I've been a guitarist for 35 years, that's a long time, now that doesn't make me a good guitarist but one thing I know for sure is how to spot great guitar players. I only really started paying close attention to Mike Campbell's guitar playing about 7 or 8 years ago but the guy is phenomenal, he's one of the best around and he's so Fucking underrated. He has his own unique feel, way of pressing the strings his own riffing he's the kind of guy when he plays you know it's him. seems to me you have to shred and do a lot of circus tricks to be a great guitarist these days - but for me there are many ways of being a great guitarist.

[@mvwoon]

Agreed. I've rediscovered my Mojo album and the more I play it the more I have to keep listening to it. Campbell is very mature on this album and he not only epitomizes the song and the tune, as was great to hear him describe in this interview, but I think he features each of his different influences in each of the songs on that album. I'm sorry he didn't mention JJ Cale here, but it was great to hear him mention Jerry Garcia, and Mike Bloomfield, etc. I know JJ Cale was a big influence on him when the band was in Tulsa before they got big.

[@LM-lv1hh]

Best guitar lesson I've heard in a while is just listening to him explain vibrato and listen to his bends.

[@michaelyoungstrom9412]

Mike Campbell is VERY underrated in my opinion.

[@errmoc5682]

totally. He has written some of the coolest riffs of all time

[@badmen1550]

he's one of the best of all time. seriously.

[@RoxxHoffner]

Yep.

[@kw3900]

So true, he is incredible.

[@Mr.Steve-O]

UNDERRATED and a Humble Dude

[@CatherineSTodd]

Beautiful video by Mike Campbell about how he practiced vibrato as much as anything else... no wonder he sounds so unique, so special, and oh so beautiful! One of my favorite videos by Mike, listening to it more than once!

[@joshbraun7152]

This man is why I play guitar

[@roadmaster1ful]

I always loved the way he would not overplay on their songs. In my opinion he is in the top ten guitar players ever.

[@martdod]

Missing Tom Petty but incredibly grateful to still have Mike Campbell.

[@surfrby8876]

He is underrated,I love everything he hit on here, tone and the guitars voice comes from the players hands,he understands that,it's not the amp or pedals,and that it's always about the song, not the solos

[@Mikey-wg2xu]

Interesting....I’ve always thought Mike Campbell is one of the best ever on adding spice to the song but getting out of the way and letting the vocals (or other instruments) move the song in the best direction. It takes a special guy to to keep his ego in check so the song and the band as a whole shines. He has some great riffs that are so embedded in songs but he never takes over a song...great player, great band...

[@NoOne-kr4jc]

What its about is being into the feeling of the song, and really believing in what you hear. You are trying to create the best you can in terms of what sounds good. Technique is a no and experimentation does keep things interesting. I think you and the songwriter really have to be into nearly the same music and have the same tastes. Imo, it seems if you enjoy each other, then the expectations of creating solos and riffs is not rejected a lot, because you can work as selfless as you can and you still won't get anywhere. This is my guess based on some experience.

[@brucerivers9744]

He’s not underrated!!! Everyone who knows anything about guitar knows he’s a great guitarist. One of the best in the business!!!!

[@NoOne-kr4jc]

There are players that are overmentioned. I think a lot of people will stick to the very innovative game changers of the instrument which is why Mike Campbell isn't talked about a lot in comparison to Clapton, Beck, Blackmore, Van Halen. He's there in a rock band for taste and serving the songs, which he does damn well at. That is a highly followed format of most bands back then.

[@citizenghosttown]

According to Guitar World magazine, "there are only a handful of guitarists who can claim to have never wasted a note. Mike Campbell is certainly one of them" Perfect tribute.

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

Probably the overall best guitarist to EVER live

[@crisprtalk6963]

He's a guitar player that plays the song , like he said! Good commentary here by Mike!

[@glennw9927]

…..though his solo at the end of Runnin’ Down a Dream is really something special to behold.

[@jimholmes341]

Mike Campbell has got to be the coolest man on the planet!Definitely one of my favorites.

[@pauledwards3992]

Great advice Mike ! Gotta go and work on my vibrato now when I practice. Mike Campbell is such a great guitarist. Love his playing. He and Petty made such great music together. Really miss seeing those two guys perform together.

[@buddhamus]

Nice bit of advice from Mike. Love his playing. Very underrated guitarist.

[@dougfa3515]

I was inspired by Mike Campbell when I was a kid growing up in the early 80's. Great player, and his music lasts till today. I'm glad he was somebody I was drawn to early on.

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

Honest, authentic, American

[@thomasdevlin3846]

Even his speaking voice sounds like Tom Petty.

[@sgtpepper1138]

Probably comes from growing up in the same place, plus being around each other since they were pretty young.

[@station2499]

The only two people to ever come out of Gainesville who don't have that southern drawl, Tom and Mike.

[@cody4335]

Yep... don't understand why.

[@lonedrone]

I noticed that too. Never noticed it before and I've heard him talk lots of times, but in this interview he really does sound like Tom.

[@ericspencer4599]

That's that heroin accent

[@Optiman5000]

Watching him talk about his inspirations…. Meanwhile I’m here because Mike is my inspiration.

[@larrygeetar9309]

The one player he doesn't mention is Peter Green, and that's who he sounds most like in this clip. The deep reverb and clean but full notes, beautiful touch and unhurried approach. Mike Campbell is a guitar player's guitar player. A really nice four minutes of simple musicianship.

[@mrchordstriker]

Mike you make an awesome teacher I never knew until now. Learning to play you by ear is as straightforward.

[@michaelgreen5206]

Hey Mike, thanks for mentioning Michael Bloomfield's vibrato as he is a guitar god for me and others, too. BB King has one of the best vibratos EVER in my book. Love your cool spirit, guitar playing & song writing mojo, too MC!!!

[@chuckkirkpatrick6712]

I'd kill to have BB's vibrato....

[@michaelgreen5206]

@Chuck Kirkpatrick Also, wouldn't mind having Michael Bloomfield's vibrato, too.

[@greenmanalishi6963]

Danny Kirwan and Peter green aswell

[@RuiArtur]

I love that he's such a Beatles fan.

[@rammusic4387]

What he is saying is something you rarely hear guitar players talk about. People often think that guys who do solo work are better players or have more to offer than a guy who knows how to be in a band, or work in the studio. I would much rather have a guy like Mike Campbell to work with, who knows how to fit into just about anything, than some hot shot, wanna be guitar player. As a player myself, I was always more interested in learning how to fit into a work situation, than standing in front of a room full of people and showing them my chops. Its also an attitude you have to have, which Mike certainly has, and I have a lot of respect for guys like him, much more so, than some guy standing on a stage saying look how good I am, racing up and down the neck. For any of you new players, keep that in mind, it's a much healthier mindset to have, and if you approach working in such a way, chances are, your value might be a lot more than might imagine, especially in this new market. And nobody does it better than Mike Campbell, George Harrison, and the other few players mentioned.

[@grosebud4554]

So happy he talkes about jerry garciaa vibrato. Every note and chord he played had vibrato.

[@mpactdesignmedia]

play this back at .75 speed and you're really close to hearing Tom

[@NoOne-kr4jc]

smh lol

[@charliebrown7940]

Great piece from a fellow Ribault High graduate, Class of 68.....I love your style

[@pancakeface5717]

Love the nuance and personality of vibrato

[@tlkshowhst]

This is so inspiring. Thank you for giving me more to practice!

[@TheBjabeytalial]

So glad i watched this! i love musical philosophy......there is no one like Mike Campbell...(great tech, btw)

[@RoxxHoffner]

One of my favorite guitar players. Great video. Thanks.

[@bryanmannoia8410]

despite his "don't bore us, get to the chorus" philosophy, he made one of the best extended guitar solo records with the heartbreakers. the world could use another Mojo, but at least they made the one. one of the best records of all time and a highlight of a great band. thanks Mike!!

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

Yep

[@Casnazer]

I don't have much music knowledge, but I do know his solo in "running down a dream" is one of my all time favorite bits of music.

[@tjl28]

There was a great story about the recording of that song in Paul Zollo’s book about Tom Petty. Whenever I hear that solo now, I think of Jeff Lynne’s reaction when Mike Campbell recorded it in one take. Here is a quote from Tom Petty about Runnin’ Down A Dream: “The most incredible thing about that one to me, which, to this day, amazes me, was the solo at the end. Mike played that. There was no one there but me, Mike, and Jeff. And Mike was engineering. We were in Mike’s tiny little studio in his house. Four people could barely fit in. If any more came, they had to stand in the garage. You had to pull the cars out to work. Mike was just sitting there with his head down. And that bit came, and he started to play. And he played that incredible solo. But he looked like a stone statue. He didn’t ever blink or move. And he had his back to us. I remember Jeff looking around his shoulder and looking back at me, and making this face, like, ‘Is he really doing this?’ It was one take. One take. And he played that incredible solo.”

[@scottlurken9667]

One of the all time greats, Mike is!

[@rclamb04]

One of the most underrated guitarists.

[@OnlyElshafto]

running down a dream has an epic long solo on it...jst thought id mention that mike ....peace

[@Conorthedad]

Saw him in Toronto the other day. Fantastic performance.

[@jfhayeur9809]

I think when people have Tom Petty songs in their heads, it’s actually Mike Campbell’s parts that pop-up first

[@LovelyLauriedoll]

Thanks for sharing!

[@waynegourlay]

good to see you again mike

[@ultrakool]

I looked up the word vibrato in the dictionary and there was a picture of paul kossoff there.

[@jimmysharkey1665]

MICK ADDED THE GUITAR MUSIC TO TOM,S MAGICAL LYRICS 🎸🎸

[@shawnmcvey7789]

He's always been like a lovely combination between George Harrison and James Burton but with more finger agility then he lets on.

[@gedmason6387]

Is no one comes close to Mike Campbell ❤

[@HungryH1951]

I agree, vibrato is a nice skill for a lead guitar player to have and use. I am mostly a rhythm man but when I do play a bit of lead I often use vibrato.

[@Agharta99]

Classy guy. Peace

[@aedrianum]

Maestro!

[@JustinHaglerMusic]

Such a beautiful man!!!

[@noturnleftunstoned72]

Yeah!! Props to the technical side of Garcia....God Bless

[@benmeltzer7213]

You can spot the influence here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGXKiXt4rad-m9k

[@pwb0511]

Oh, and wow, he admires Jerry Garcia, how cool is that?

[@benmeltzer7213]

You can tell: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGXKiXt4rad-m9k

[@rosestake]

Brilliant Guitarist !! Very underrated. The Music Gods hear him :)

[@RavenMadd9]

thank you ...underrated guitar great

[@h.markhorton8188]

You and Wally Bryson are my favorite lead players, no wasted notes. Like you said, make your statement, then move on. And you do it so well.

[@NoOne-kr4jc]

Nice mention on Bryson.

[@64fairlane305]

Go back and watch Roy Buchanan play, he makes his guitar speaks to us

[@garyabbot4659]

He really likes vibrato. Never seen anyone like it so much.

[@chrisg4570]

gary abbot Ever heard of Marty Friedman then?

[@Gretschman44]

Uh. BB King? Clapton? Literally most guitar players?

[@garyabbot4659]

Christian Grimes no

[@garyabbot4659]

Gretschman44 literally most guitar players? blues players.

[@Gretschman44]

Not just blues players use vibrato. Every genre has some guitar players that use the technique.

[@KountryCuz1]

Nice Guitar Great sound !!!!!!!!!!!

[@chuckkirkpatrick6712]

Never been able to do rotational 'down-pull' vibrato with my left hand like BB. Clapton is a 'pusher'....no rotation at all. How does he do that? Mine is somewhat rotational but pushing up....

[@barbaramccroy8663]

I wonder when Mike Campbell is talking about the signature vibrato sound for the guitar would the same rules apply for your vocal cords when some people have a natural vibrato sound to their singing voice😎🤔

[@jime6688]

I never could master the vibrato from the wrist. Worked on it a lot and don’t have that facility. I think I’m ok at the up and down with the finger.

[@johnmitchelljr]

Thank you.

[@johnramonas816]

Hey Mike please we still need the Heartbreakers your a great singer, please?

[@sandrosadhukhan]

"You're"

[@collinbirkett2568]

So what pedal can I buy to get his vibrato sounds?

[@chuckkirkpatrick6712]

Truly a "band player" if there ever was one....

[@JustAnotherBlader]

Mike Bloomfield is a legend. The first guitar hero ever if you ask me.

[@Stevo_Drums]

Sorry for your loss Mike

[@Strollingbloke]

This guy seems cool

[@briantrend1812]

beautiful

[@briantrend1812]

I.m british and been playing since 1962. I thinks Campbell guitar solos are the most mesmerising in American rock history . I think American music is the best. To me a tune is everthing I don't give a fuck whether youre somebodys rock hero or god. A tune is everything and the tune and the solo either works or it doesn't. Just like an illustration or logo it either works or it doesn't . if it doesnt you throw it away. Campbells solos were perfection. the Heartbreakers were the greatest American band ever.

[@dogpoundoatthetube7756]

Yep, Mike's voice sounds so much like Tom & a great guitar player....

[@AlexVonCrank]

I always though of Keith Scott as a similar guitarist in that he plays what the song needs and no more or less. Same as Andy Summers.

[@emilsaue5502]

Whats the tune hes playing at 2:17? I recognize it but don't know the name..

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

emil saue that would be the classic Breakdown

[@MisterTee]

He is quite skilled

[@hotdogflavouredmilkshake]

Besides The Edge from U2 and Kirk Hammett from Metallica, Mike Campbell is my third fav guitarist of all time

[@jamesball5743]

One out of three.

[@martinlyon9549]

Duesenberg 😍

[@BrentGodwin]

Is there anyone cooler than Mike freaking Campbell? There is not.

[@hendrixlp1970]

Paul Kossoff is the vibrato king.

[@jamesmccracken9323]

Your wrong on that , Gary Moore is more king of the vibrato , but the guy that has the same birthday as mine -11/27 -rules as king over everybody with vibrato (hint : foxey lady ) then Gary Moore , Paul Kossoff was great too .

[@p0llenp0ny]

Was*

[@coolmacatrain9434]

@@jamesmccracken9323 Paul Kossoff's vibrato is the finest ever recorded - bar NONE!. Nobody else even comes close ( except Angus Young, but his is a bit more intense ). I have never heard another Guitarist come anywhere near to mimicking Kossoff's vibrato.

[@plantagenant]

Peter Green.

[@coolmacatrain9434]

@@plantagenant I love peter Green's phrasing ( and vibrato ) but Danny Kirwan's vibrato was far better and more expressive.

[@jennymk01]

I’m going to work so fricken hard on vibrato now. Thank you Benmont. 🙏🏻 Man I love the Heartbreakers so much. It’s so funny, that is the first thing I tried when I get my first guitar. But it is an acoustic and I am not very good at playing, so it didn’t work. Should be getting my electric here soon. If I get back to makin money, I only need $1,500 for my rickenbacker. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ I want the same model as Tom had on Damn the Torpedoes

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

Dude, halfway through the video I got up and plugged in...he’s so inspiring to other guitarists out there

[@douglascompton6016]

WONDER WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO , I KNOW IT'S A STUPID QUESTION BUT WITH TOM PETTY AND THE HEART BREAKERS I MEAN LOOK AT JOURNEY , I'M SORRY BUT CAN WE CLONE ANOTHER TOM PETTY OR CAN SOMEONE OUT THERE SING AND SOUND JUST LIKE TOM PETTY .

[@jasoncorbett8948]

Paul Kossoff had the best vibrato. Mike is awesome too

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

I’d kill to own that guitar in his hands....is that a Danelectro?

[@leddeath80]

It's a duesenberg and it's one of the best guitars you'll ever own

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

@@leddeath80 I bought one on his signature models, it’s incredible. You weren’t lying dude. Mines blue with 2 white racing stripes, plays like a dream

[@theoversouls]

As a teenager I spent the better part of a week analyzing one vibrato note by Clapton on Tales Of Brave Ulysses. Back then we used a turntable slowed down to 16 RPM to learn stuff half-speed. My observation over the years is that often the more shred-oriented the guitar player, the worse their vibrato is - usually way to much of a spread on the note to my ears. Steve Lukather for example - I love his playing but hate his vibrato. ~Just one geezer's 2 cents.

[@greenmanalishi6963]

Peter green and Danny Kirwan should be listed

[@zanderkillswift9781]

What amp?

[@lifesmythtv2608]

I have a theory that guitarists put their "soul's" overtones into the strings also, which is why different players can play the same guitar, but sound different.

[@rickkartisable]

LifesmythTV ... THAT'S what he means by "the Hand" I would venture to say. I think you're spot-on with your comment, LifesmythTV!!👌

[@nickgates4387]

Orrrrrrr...... maybe because if you slightly adjust 1 of 10 different volume or tone controls you have a different sound already... even though it’s the same guitar it can sound very different

[@petersheely7246]

👌👌😎

[@nicoli3778]

The riff at 2:16??

[@jackh8702]

song called "Breakdown"

[@i_live_pain8420]

NC_ Malpais But really though?

[@xxdfoster]

Vibrato is the valence electron of guitar tone.

[@cathy2cx2]

Mike's mini lead 'bridges' tween vocals are some of the best leads in rock history. Is it his fingers, or the old beat up guitars? IMHO both. Well designed and made guitars and pickups will be responsive to the player's touch. and often inspirational as well.

[@Peter7966]

BB King made his guitar sing. And he called her Lucille.

[@markyncole]

There's a really good documentary on BB called The Life Of Riley,check it out if you haven't seen it,he talks about how he came up with the name Lucille.

[@robroy4058]

b.b king has the best vibrato imo

[@tommonfron5166]

Robert Noble Music what I love is how he used his entire hands weight to shake the string.

[@lifegoeson2422]

Robert Noble Music Gary Moore

[@danradu231]

Can't argue that.

[@spicybison]

Bb king and David Gilmour ftw

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

He has that one phrase/lick he always plays that just melts my soul

[@krisscanlon4051]

He would be a steal for any band today...unfortunately with TP dying...beyond the Mac

[@teerexness]

Guys don't work on vibrato because somewhere along the line they got the idea that heavy gauge strings were better. The guys who did, and still do, vibrato really well use lighter strings. Also, somewhere along the line, speed became the be all-end all barometer for guitar skill. I here incredibly skillful young guitar players on KZbin all the time. I just wonder when they are going to settle down and start making some compelling songs.

[@shawnmcvey7789]

Vibrato on 11s isn't much of a problem if the guitar is set up well.

[@Salguine]

Danny Kirwan had the meanest left-hand vibrato ever.

[@pwb0511]

I wonder how sucessful Tom Petty would have become, had he NOT discovered Mike a scooped him up to form a band?

[@sonic-dna7742]

wise1 most of the guitars on Don Henleys solo albums were Mike Campbell also. Can't imagine Boys of Summer or Heart of the matter without his work.

[@mt5464]

Mike wrote the music...then Henley wrote the lyrics.

[@sonic-dna7742]

Phenomenal work by both. End Of The Innocence was a great album all around.

[@THEQueeferSutherland]

That's how I feel guitar should be, especially solos, they're bridges that are additive to the song, I far favor a songwriting approach over wanky shit that is about showing off.

[@djross2043]

🤘🏻🇺🇸👍🏻👀🎸🎶😎

[@Muppio]

Can we just have a video of him just noodling for 4 hours?