Album Essentials: Tom Petty "Into the Great Wide Open" (1991)

By Dave Swanson - Summit FM Contributor

Tom Petty's decision to 'go solo' always seemed a bit off, since Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were, well obviously, his band. But in 1989, Petty did just that with mega hit, 'Full Moon Fever,' an album which could have easily been a Heartbreakers LP, but this go-round, Petty worked as a solo act, bringing in Jeff Lynne (of ELO fame) to act as producer, sounding board, co-writer, and musical companion. Whatever the exact recipe, it worked amazingly, giving Petty a multi-platinum hit that scaled the charts just shy of the top. Heartbreaker Mike Campbell also occupied a major role, and guest appearances from fellow band members Benmont Tench and Howie Epstein made sure it wasn't too far removed from a Heartbreakers outing. The freedom it allowed Petty to bring in guests like George Harrison, Roy Orbison, Del Shannon, Jim Keltner, and others, gave the music a slightly different vibe from the Heartbreakers, though not miles apart.

With that milestone under his belt, he teamed back up with Lynne for round two for the follow-up. 'Into The Great Wide Open' was released in the summer of 1991, and though sonically it followed the path of its predecessor, it failed to connect at the cash register in the same manner. Not that one would ever call it a failure! It is packed full of Petty classics like 'Learning To Fly' and the title track, both released as singles, which became genuine hits and mainstays in the Petty catalog and live shows. Elsewhere tracks like 'Makin' Some Noise', 'Two Gunslingers,' 'Too Good To Be True', and 'King's Highway,' are all rock solid entries into the Petty catalog.

Though Petty was never far sonically, or mentally, from his beloved Heartbreakers, there was, at the time, a sense that this was something he needed to do. Guitarist Mike Campbell noted as much in an interview with Rolling Stone from that year. "Right from day one, it's a miracle that this band stayed together for two weeks," Campbell said. "I don't really know why we're still together. There must be a bond that even we're not aware of." Sales of the previous Heartbreakers album, 'Let Me Up (I've Had Enough)' were not what they had been before, so with 'Full Moon Fever,' it seemed like a good time to make that temporary break.

The next album, 'Wildflowers,' would arrive in 1994 also emblazoned with the sole credit to Petty, no Heartbreakers. He would, of course, regroup with them till his last days, but would also leave the door open to 'go solo' or work with Lynne, or anyone else he crossed paths with. Petty brought up an interesting point in that 1991 interview, one that could easily apply today, as well as countless times over the decades.

"Things got real phony-sounding for a while," he stated. "It got to the point where even the guys in the denim jackets were sounding phony. I started thinking maybe I should just get drunk. Maybe I should just f**king forget all these songs. I hate to sound like a grouchy old-timer, but the reason rock isn't as big as it once was, is probably that it isn't as good as it once was. It wouldn't bother me, except this stuff is really important to me. As corny as it sounds, my life has been consumed by rock music. I just loved it right from the beginning."

In giving this one a spin again after so many years, it solidly drives one point home, we miss Tom Petty.