"The Last DJ" Is Not Anti-Radio - Tom Petty is currently stirring things up with "The Last DJ," the title track to his forthcoming album with his band the Heartbreakers. In the song, Petty seems to be attacking the radio industry as corporate and formulaic with lines such as "There goes your freedom of choice/There goes the last human voice."

However, Petty tells LAUNCH that "The Last DJ" is not an anti-radio song. "You know, I'm not attacking radio. I love radio. I've never heard a more pro-radio song than 'The Last DJ,' you know? I was just singing about at one time in life, radio was an art form. I think now you have generations that don't even know that, and I was singing about the vanishing human, you know, the vanishing human voice--when, you know, you hear someone say, 'Oh, thank God I got a person on the phone,' you know, this wasn't always the case."

Petty and the Heartbreakers will soon announce fall tour dates in support of The Last DJ, which comes out October 8.

Petty has also signed on to perform at the George Harrison memorial concert November 29 at London's Royal Albert Hall, along with Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and Jeff Lynne, among others.

Duet With Willie - From the Rocky Mountain News

...Petty's duet with Nelson on Leadbelly's Goodnight Irene was an inspired moment that came together quickly.

"Petty was a joyful accident," McEuen says. "This was one of those things that was supposed to happen."

The band flew to Los Angeles to record Nelson's track, he says, "and it just so happened in the studio next door was Petty working on an album. 'Mr. Petty, would you like to sing with Willie Nelson on a recording?' 'Sure, that'd be fun.' 'Well, he's right next door.' 'When can we do it?' 'In about 20 minutes.' "

Yet on the finished version, it sounds like Petty and Nelson have been singing together forever...

2 Billboard Articles - From the 9/28 issue of Billboard.
AT 'LAST': Tom Petty collects his 47th entry on Mainstream Rock Tracks with the debut of "The Last DJ" (Warner Bros.) at No. 36. It's the first Petty song to register on this survey in the 21st century.

Petty has a Mainstream chart span of 21 years, three months, and four weeks, dating back to the May 2, 1981, debut of "The Waiting," a song that ultimately spent six weeks at No. 1. It is tied with 1991's "Learning to Fly" as Petty's most successful hit on this chart.

Single Review - The over-40 crowd has been seeing some of the greatest successes of their careers of late—witness dynamic offerings from the likes of James Taylor, Elvis Costello, even Barry Manilow. Now, Tom Petty—who first hit chart radar screens back in 1977 with "Breakdown" —shows up for a turn at bat with a sharp swipe at today's corporate radio landscape: "As we celebrate mediocrity, our boys upstairs wanna see/How much you'll pay for what you used to get for free/There goes your freedom of choice, there goes the last human voice/There goes the last DJ." It's an exceptionally well-crafted lyric that states his true-to-life message in no uncertain terms—and surprisingly, programmers are readily indulging the message on heritage rock radio. "The Last DJ," the title track to his new album (dropping Oct. 8), is produced by Petty, George Drakoulias, and Heartbreaker guitarist Mike Campbell. Petty also welcomes back longtime Heartbreakers Scott Thurston and Steve Ferrone, as well as Ron Blair, the band's original bass player, who left the group in the early '80s. It all adds up to the most inspired song in years from a man who has pretty much seen it all.

Rock 101 - Not sure how many people know about this, so excuse me if you do. Thought you might want to start watching how singles are tracked. Tom probably gets this info from East End Management every week. But, it's interesting to watch. This chart tracks how many times a single has been played on a given week. It also shows you how many times a single has been "added" to a radio station's playlist. This chart comes out on Fridays. This week, "The Last DJ" went from #28 to #15. It was played 271 times and had the most increased plays... 117 over last week.

The 12 Days Of Petty - On the first day of Petty, my true love gave to me, a chance to hear the Last DJ. Ya think they would have scheduled this to end on the 7th or on the release date, but Nooooo! Radio stations across the country will countdown the release of THE LAST DJ by playing one track per day in order starting on Monday, the 23rd of September with the first track, which is the title track and first single, and finishing on Friday, the 4th of October with the last track "Can't Stop The Sun."

Listen to your local radio stations for more details and light up their phone lines with REQUESTS!!!

The Last DJ - First Impressions - I just got a chance to hear the whole album!! Actually, it's still playing as I write this. 1st impressions... You have to listen to this CD in it's entirety. It's a story/theme. I now understand why Tom said in a past interview it was not as "guitar oriented". Lots of orchestra and horns on a few tunes. I love Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, so my opinions may be a tad biased, but here's the track listing with my initial first impressions. I'm sure I will be able to add more comments with every listen! I'll catch shit for anything I say, so I'm going to keep it kinda vague. I know all of you will form your own opinions. If you have questions, please write!

1. The Last DJ - Everybody's heard it by now. Put your thoughts here. When I first heard this, parts of it reminded me of "Secret Agent Man".
2. Money Becomes King - A little bluesy. Not thrilled.
3. Dreamville - Loved it! Piano and acoustic guitar and strings.
4. Joe - Loved it! Kinda reminded me of Spike from Southern Accents. Hilarious lyrics!
5. When A Kid Goes Bad - Bluesy. Most rockin' tune on the album! Next Single?
6. Like A Diamond - Beautiful. Lots of Piano. Beatlesque... Abbey Road Era.
7. Lost Children - Liked it on the past tour. Nice to hear the recorded version. Not used to hearing a song live first, but this band is incredible... Just like the live version.
8. Blue Sunday - Nice acoustic.
9. You And Me - and the road ahead... not sure if I like this song. I do like Benmont's hook!
10. The Man Who Loves Women - Kinda reminds me of "Safron" from the '60s. Forgot who did it... "I'm just mad about Safron"... Anyways, never liked that song. Don't like this one!
11. Have Love Will Travel - Like the recorded version better than the live one! This should get some radio airplay. If they don't play it,they're idiots!!
12. Can't Stop The Sun - Another Beatlesque tune. White Album era. I like this version better than the live one too.

Again, this album needs to be listened to completely! Not sure how many songs will be getting much airplay on local radio. In my opinion, the singles should be Dreamville, When A Kid Goes Bad, Like A Diamond, Lost Children, Blue Sunday and Have Love Will Travel. I'm going to have to listen to it a few more dozen times! Buy this album, fans won't be disappointed!

Happy Birthday Ron Blair! - HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Heartbreaker, Dirty Knob and all around great guy (from all reports I've seen) Ron Blair! Ron was born September 16, 1948. 18 years and ONE DAY before me! haha Hope you have a great day! Ron returned to the Heartbreakers as bass player this past summer after a 20 year vacation.

LA Times - Due out October 8th, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers: The Last DJ. His latest work attacks greed, the record industry and other sitting ducks.

Tour Continues!!! - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers begin their tour the US in support of The Last DJ (IN STORES OCTOBER 8th!) on October 15th and continue through December 14th. The 1st show will be in Los Angeles at the Olympic Auditorium. The band will perform the entire new album complete with orchestra. The show will be videotaped and transmitted live via satellite to movie theaters around the U.S. and will be simulcast live on radio stations in the U.S. and Canada. Call your local radio stations for local info!!! Keep checking THIS site for tour dates and ticket info!!!

Hear New Single Online
- This is part of an email I received from tompetty.com. The site will be going through an overhaul during the next several weeks.