Campbell met Petty through drummer Randall Marsh, his roommate. The latter was auditioning to be in Petty’s outfit, Mudcrutch, and learned they were looking for a guitarist. Marsh suggested Petty try Campbell, who was listening in the next room. Then he impressed him by covering Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode” and was offered the spot. Mudcrutch then had moderate success and broke up in 1974.

In 1976, Campbell converged with Petty once again to start Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. This was the start of a long and successful career that produced tracks such as “Refugee” and “Learning to Fly”. Campbell would co-produce a string of their albums, such as Southern accents and The last DJ.

In the 1980s, Campbell was featured on albums Building the Perfect Beast and The end of innocence by Eagle legend Don Henley. He also played on eight of Stevie Nicks’ solo albumsincluding the 1981 classic Bella Donnaremembered for his cover of “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

In 2018, it was announced that Campbell was joining Fleetwood Mac to replace guitarist Lindsey Buckingham. He then revealed in 2022 that he split from them in 2019.

Now, Campbell announced The heartbreakerwhich arrives March 18, 2025, via Grand Central Publishing. It explores his personal and creative life, which includes working with Petty and collaborating with Henley and Nicks.

“This is my book,” Campbell explains. “It’s the story of a poor kid from Jacksonville, Florida, who made a dream come true through music. It is a long journey through hard work, dedication and luck. Playing guitar and writing songs was my inspiration and purpose. It is a story of hope, redemption and gratitude, a testimony that dreams can come true if you believe in yourself and follow your truth. It took two years to write and is a labor of love. I hope you enjoy the trip!”

In June, Mike Campbell and the Dirty Knobs released their album, Tramps, Virgos and Misfits. In a four star review, Away wrote: “With the help of other rock veterans and a few token appearances from a few Heartbreakers, Tramps, Virgos and Misfits it’s exactly the kind of record most artists of Campbell’s caliber would want to make.”

The review continued: “He was already responsible for the classic Heartbreakers licks, but Campbell and his band The Dirty Knobs have created a collection that feels like a middle ground between the later Stones and the bell-ringing sounds of the Eagles.”

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