Ron Blair

Rockpalast

Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers: Playback

From the lyrical juxtapositions of two generations of teenagers in "Free Fallin'" to the award winning "Mary Jane's Last Dance" featuring Kim Bassinger, Petty treated his clips as small films. The narrative "Into the Great Wide Open," which features Faye Dunaway and Johnny Depp, actually resulted in offers to make Petty's story/song into a full length motion picture. Petty's reaction was, "It already is." Here are the best videos of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, a powerful document of the early evolution of a new kind of art -- and some rockin' tunes by a great band. --Bill Flanagan, September 1995

Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers - Live at the Olympic (The Last DJ)

Recorded on October 16th, 2002 at the Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, this film features the band's 2002 album The Last DJ performed in its entirety. Also featured are several of the band's other songs, and "You Wreck Me" from Tom Petty's solo album "Wildflowers".

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers: Rock Goes to College

On March 24th, 1980, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers performed for BBCTV Rock Goes to College, at Oxford Polytechnic.

It's Only Rock 'n' Roll: Rock 'n' Roll at the BBC

A celebration of rock 'n' roll in the shape of a compilation of classic artists and songs, featuring the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis, Dion and Dick Dale who all featured in the Rock 'n' Roll America series, alongside songs that celebrate rock 'n roll itself from artists such as Tom Petty (Anything That's Rock 'n' Roll), Joan Jett (I Love Rock 'n' Roll) and Oasis (Rock 'n' Roll Star).

Classic Albums

A documentary series about pop and rock albums that are considered the best or most distinctive of a well-known band or musician or that exemplify a stage in the history of music.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Runnin' Down a Dream

Directed by Peter Bogdanovich and packed with rare concert footage and home movies, this documentary explores the history of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, including Petty's famous collaborations and notorious clashes with the record industry. Interviews with musical luminaries including Jackson Browne, George Harrison, Eddie Vedder, Roger McGuinn, Jeff Lynne, Dave Stewart and Petty himself shed some revelatory vision.

The Old Grey Whistle Test

The Old Grey Whistle Test is an influential BBC2 television music show that ran from 1971 to 1987. It took over the BBC2 late night slot from "Disco Two", which had been running since January 1970, while continuing to feature non-chart music. It was devised by BBC producer Rowan Ayers. According to presenter Bob Harris, the programme derived its name from a Tin Pan Alley phrase from years before. When they got the first pressing of a record they would play it to people they called the old greys—doormen in grey suits. The songs they could remember and whistle, having heard it just once or twice, had passed the old grey whistle test.

Behind the Music

An intimate look into the personal lives of pop music's greatest and most influential artists.

Saturday Night Live

A late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels. The show's comedy sketches, which parody contemporary culture and politics, are performed by a large and varying cast of repertory and newer cast members. Each episode is hosted by a celebrity guest, who usually delivers an opening monologue and performs in sketches with the cast, and features performances by a musical guest.