Mike Campbell first came to fame through his guitar-playing skills as a member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, a gig he kept from 1976 all the way through to Petty’s death in 2017. Well before then, however, Campbell had begun carving out another path as the lead singer and guitarist for the Dirty Knobs, which released its first single, “Feelin’ High,” in 2010.
In the wake of Petty’s passing, Campbell accepted the offer to join Fleetwood Mac for a tour, but after returning from the road, he settled into making the Dirty Knobs a full-time affair.
The band released its fourth album, "Mission of Mercy," in June. It is in the midst of a headlining tour and is making a stop in Virginia Beach on Saturday as part of the Farm Aid lineup.
The event spotlights American farmers and has been around since 1985. It's the first time it's been staged in Hampton Roads.
Campbell spoke with WHRO freelance writer Will Harris about his history with Farm Aid, the latest Dirty Knobs LP and finding his footing as a solo artist, while also reflecting on working with Fleetwood Mac, Willie Nelson and other legends.
The interview has been edited for time and clarity.
Will Harris: Of the artists on the bill, I wanted to talk to you in particular because you were there for the first Farm Aid as part of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
Mike Campbell: That's right, we were! A lifetime ago.
Harris: Does anything about that experience stand out to you?
Campbell: That one, of course, we were with Dylan, and that was exciting. And it was just nice to be around Neil Young and Willie and all those dudes. We had a blast. We came out and rocked it pretty good. And the last one I did also happened to be with Bob, and that was fun, too.
I understand that he called you personally for that one.
He did. Well, he had his manager call me.
I guess when Dylan — or his manager — calls, it's hard to say no to that.
Yeah, I love Bob. I've spent a lot of time with him over the years, and I understand him. Which is saying a lot!
There was a bit of a logistical issue getting you there; I understand, since you were on tour at the time.
Yeah, we had to move a gig, which I've made up since. But it was worth it because, y'know, that's a once-in-a-lifetime thing.
How did you get involved in this upcoming Farm Aid? Did they just reach out to you?
Well, the management was booking the tour, and I think they asked them, and they squeezed us in somewhere. [Laughs.] There was no phone call from Bob this time. Of course, we're not doing this one with Bob. We're on our own. It's the Dirty Knobs.
What's your writing regimen when it comes to doing a new album?
Well, I'm writing all the time. I tend to write in the mornings. Like, I was writing this morning before I talked to you. Just whenever that channel opens up, you just have to address it and stop whatever you're doing and go with it. It tends to happen to me nowadays after I feed the animals and have my coffee and start listening to something and go, "Oh, wait, I can write a song with that chord!" or whatever. Writing is probably my greatest pleasure. I mean, I love all aspects of my job, but the writing is very magical, because it's just mysterious, y'know?
How was it for you to first step out with the Dirty Knobs? You started the band years before you started doing it full-time.
Yeah, it was a gradual growth. I started out with them in the studio, messing around with songs, and then we went out and started playing some bars around L.A. I slowly got my confidence up with fronting the band, and I'm getting better with my vocals and my stage presence, connecting with the audience and all that stuff. I learned a lot from watching Tom all those years. But the Dirty Knobs ... It was like getting in the trenches and learning how to be me. If I'm gonna be the singer and write these songs and get up there and talk to the people, I've got to get that figured out, y'know?
When you started playing more shows with the Knobs, how did you decide on how much Tom Petty to incorporate into the set list?
I try not to do too many of those, because I don't want to turn into a nostalgia/tribute act. But I love those songs, and a lot of them I co-wrote. So with the Dirty Knobs, you know, we also now have four albums of our stuff, so I have to narrow it down so the show becomes the best songs from all the albums. And I usually do three or four Heartbreakers songs. I enjoy doing them. Y'know, sometimes it's kind of bittersweet to do an old song. It brings back some memories. But mostly it's just a joy. And people love it.
How do you look back at the experience of touring with Fleetwood Mac after Tom’s passing? From what I've read, it sounds like it was, at the very least, therapeutic.
It was therapeutic because I was grieving when I got the phone call, and it helped give me something to focus on and take my mind out of the darkness for a while. And it was just a blessing. I mean, the tour was wonderful. And the gigs … Christine McVie, I got to play with her a lot, and just that rhythm section... I almost couldn't believe I was there! I'd look up and go, "How'd I get here? [Laughs.] One of the best rhythm sections in the world, with these great songs, and Stevie Nicks, who's a good friend of mine, and getting to know Christine was really nice. John McVie's a little quiet, but he was really sweet. And, of course, Mick Fleetwood is Mr. Jovial. They were great. I consider them really close friends now.
I've always wanted to ask someone whose song was covered on this album: Did you guys ever hear the Chipmunks' version of "Refugee" on "Chipmunk Punk?"
Yeah, we got a big kick out of that. We thought that was hilarious. And it was nice to get a little publishing money, too. [Laughs.]
Visit farmaid.org for tickets and more information about the concert and related programming.