Cast: Tom Petty, Cameron Crowe, Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench, Stan Lynch, Howie Epstein & Stevie Nicks
1983 Credits:
Directed By: Cameron Crowe, Doug Dowdle & Phil Savenick Produced By: Phil Savenick Editor: Doug Dowdle Profile By: Cameron Crowe Executive Producer: Danny Bramson
2024 Reissue Credits:
Producers: Cameron Crowe, Adria Petty, Greg Mariotti & Sarah Haber Executive Producers: Petty Legacy, LLC., Bruce Resnikoff
Original TV Airdate: July 4, 1983
Theatrical Release Date: October 17, 2024
Tidbits:
- Originally created for MTV, it only aired once in 1983 and was pulled for lack of clearances on some of the footage featured in the special.
- The special chronicles Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers career and their current recording of the album, Long After Dark.
- This was Cameron’s first project as director alongside veteran TV producer Phil Savenick and Doug Dowdle.
- The interviews were conducted with Tom over multiple years.
- Tom’s home (he dubbed “Fort Petty”) was later burned down by an arsonist. The property is now owned by Selena Gomez.
- At the time of release, the special featured many rare or unreleased songs (“I’m Stupid”, “Heartbreakers Beach Party” and “Keeping Me Alive”).
- The newly created outtakes include additional rare songs such as the Elvis Presley cover, “(Marie’s The Name) His Latest Flame” and the band performing “Surrender” in the studio.