Petty, Heartbreakers to return for concert
By Anthony Lederman
The Independent Florida Alligator - Monday, January 8, 1990
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are coming home and will play in the O'Conell Center Jan. 27, their first official visit to Gainesville since 1983, said Paul Newman, adviser to Student Government Productions.
SGP Chairman Raul Mateau, who negotiated to bring Petty back, said the last two SGP chairwomen always had an open invitation for Petty to play, but neither could get him to come to Gainesville.
"The negotiations were one of the most difficult we've ever been involved in," Mateau said. "This is a big event for the whole city, not just for the University."
"An SGP concert has never been a sellout," Mateu said. "But if we do, this one might be it."
Tickets go on sale at the campus box office at the Constans Theatre Wednesday at 10 a.m. The tickets, which are $14 for students and $18 for the general public, will also be on sale at all TicketMaster outlets.
Students must buy tickets at the box office to get the discount prices and the better seats, Mateu said. He said each student may buy up to four tickets as long as they have four IDs and four paid fee cards or schedules.
"From early indications and reaction, I would suggest students get to the box office as soon as possible," Mateu said.
Petty has had recent success with his first solo album as as a member of the Traveling Wilburys. He also toured with the Heartbreakers last summer.
Petty's latest song, "Free Fallin'," is the third hit single on the "Full Moon Fever" album, which is number 10 on Billboard magazine's album chart. "I Won't Back Down" and "Runnin' Down a Dream" were the first two hits from the album.
Petty also played with Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne and the late Roy Orbison on last year's album, "Traveling Wilburys Volume 1."
Petty and the Heartbreakers will begin this tour Jan. 26 at the University of South Florida Sun Dome in Tampa.
Along with Petty, the Heartbreakers' pianist Benmont Tench was born in Gainesville. Drummer Stan Lynch and guitarist Mike Campbell moved here when they were children.
"We're just lucky enough that we got him to say 'yes' this time," Mateu said.