Mike Campbell Brings The Dirty Knobs to Farm Aid, Four Decades After Backing Dylan at the Festival’s Debut: ‘It Was Quite a Moment’
With his own band now, the guitarist offers "a great two-hour release from the wicked world."
Mike Campbell returns to Farm Aid stage, 40 years after playing with Bob Dylan
In 1985, Mike Campbell played guitar in Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers, backing up Bob Dylan during the first Farm Aid festival in Champaign, Illinois. Campbell reminisced to Billboard that it was a memorable moment, especially Dylan’s performance of "Maggie’s Farm," with a gritty, bluesy electric lead.
In his memoir, Campbell recalls a phone call from Dylan asking him to join a band for a tour. Campbell advised Dylan to use the Heartbreakers instead, and the two agreed, leading to a successful collaboration on the True Confessions Tour that spanned Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and the U.S.
For the upcoming Farm Aid event in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Campbell will be leading his own band The Dirty Knobs. The Dirty Knobs are touring behind their fourth album, Mission of Mercy, and Campbell is enjoying their latest performance at The Cabot in Beverly, Massachusetts.
Since leaving the Heartbreakers, Campbell has gained confidence as a frontman and credits his improved vocals and audience engagement as reasons for his success. He enjoys performing with The Dirty Knobs, which has a unique blues-rooted sound, and occasionally includes Heartbreakers songs in their sets.
Campbell views their shows as a form of "rock and roll soul healing," providing an escape from the world outside and offering a moment of beauty, bliss, and emotional release for his audience.
Written by urgent.news from Billboard's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
