Mike Campbell Reflects on Healing‍ Through Fleetwood Mac

“The bond between Tom and me was built⁤ on mutual respect,” Mike Campbell shares​ with Rolling Stone ⁢as he reminisces about ⁢his late​ friend, Tom Petty. “We ​didn’t express our emotions verbally like some might, ⁢but our respect for one‍ another was profound.It was understood without needing to be said.”

The passing of petty on October 2, 2017, left Campbell in a state of⁤ shock.He not ‍only lost a ⁣dear ⁣friend ​but also a meaningful part of his musical identity.

However, in early​ 2018, a phone call changed everything⁢ for Campbell, offering him ‌a renewed sense of purpose during⁤ a ⁤challenging time. The call came from Mick Fleetwood, the⁢ iconic drummer‌ of Fleetwood mac.

The ‌Evolution of Fleetwood Mac

fleetwood Mac was established in 1967 ​by Fleetwood, bassist John McVie, and guitarist Peter Green, ‍and has undergone ⁣numerous lineup changes over the decades. the most recent ‌shift ‍occurred in early 2018 when lindsey​ Buckingham was let‍ go due to disagreements ‌regarding the band’s upcoming tour.⁣ Buckingham, along with vocalist Stevie‌ Nicks, had ​been instrumental in leading the band to its‍ peak success in the mid-1970s. Though, his unpredictable nature and focus ⁣on solo projects had created instability within the group in recent years.

With Buckingham’s departure just before‍ the‍ 2018 tour, Fleetwood sought a new guitarist, leading him to reach out to Campbell.

A New Chapter Begins

“It was ​my birthday, and ⁤I was in my backyard, overwhelmed ​with grief,” Campbell recalls. “Then the phone rang, ⁤and it was Mick offering me the tour.”

After just a day of contemplation, he accepted the offer. “My⁣ wife Marcie and I went on what felt like‌ a luxurious, paid vacation,” he adds.

Campbell joined the tour alongside Neil Finn from⁤ Crowded House. What began as a getaway turned into a transformative experience‌ for him.

“It truly helped me emerge from my ‌grief, allowing me to focus and process my emotions,” Campbell reflects. “I⁤ am incredibly grateful ⁢to them for that.”

Connections and Collaborations

Campbell was no stranger⁣ to Fleetwood Mac; he had⁢ a history with Nicks through her friendship with Petty ‍and their collaboration on the 1981 classic “Stop Draggin’⁤ My​ Heart Around” from Nicks’ album Bella Donna.

“Tom ⁢shared many of the same influences we did,” Nicks‍ noted in 2004, mentioning artists like The‌ Byrds and⁣ Neil Young,‌ while also incorporating elements of classic blues.

“I became such a ⁤fan⁢ that if I hadn’t been in ⁢a ⁤band myself, I would have joined that one,” she‍ added, highlighting her long-standing friendship with Petty that spanned⁣ four decades,​ during which she‍ grew close to ⁤the Heartbreakers.⁤ Campbell affectionately ⁢refers to Nicks​ as “an angel and spiritual⁢ sister.”

“She’s ‍just‌ a sweetheart,” ⁢he⁢ expresses. “Her kindness towards me has⁤ been unwavering, and I hold her in the highest⁣ regard.”

Regarding ​Nicks’ ⁤assertion that​ she would ⁢have ⁣joined the Heartbreakers, Campbell confirms it, but notes, “Tom​ had other ideas. He believed there​ shouldn’t be any women in the Heartbreakers, but she was like the fifth or sixth Heartbreaker⁤ in spirit.”

A Lasting Legacy

As the guitarist who collaborated​ closely ‌with Petty, co-writing songs and performing alongside him ‌globally, Campbell’s new memoir, Heartbreaker, delves into their profound friendship and ⁣musical ⁣partnership.

in a⁢ recent interview with⁢ Guitar Player, Campbell reflected, “Who knows what my life ‍would have been‍ like if Tom and I had never crossed paths? Writing the ⁢book made me realize how many miracles have unfolded ⁤for me through timing, luck, and perhaps divine intervention. ⁢I started with⁣ nothing, and these songs came ⁤to me from somewhere. I had serendipitous encounters with my‌ idols,​ and of course, ⁣my relationship with Tom was pivotal.”

Among those idols was George Harrison, with whom Petty formed‌ the Traveling Wilburys ⁤in the 1980s. Even though Campbell wasn’t a ⁣member, he contributed to‍ their debut‍ album and notably encouraged⁣ Harrison to take the lead on the solo for their hit⁤ “Handle ‍With Care” when⁢ he felt his own⁤ attempt fell short.

“I just handed him the guitar and a slide,” Campbell recounted.‍ “The amp was⁤ already set up,and he just took it from there. It relieved the ⁣pressure off me!”