Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers will launch a North American tour on June 27 in Grand Rapids, Michigan-and the band’s original bassist Ron Blair, who left the band in 1982, will return to the fold to replace Howie Epstein.
In a statement, the group noted that it has “parted ways with Howie Epstein because of his ongoing personal problems.” Blair, who was on the first four Heartbreakers albums before he left and was replaced by Epstein, played with the band at its Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction in March.
Last year, Epstein was arrested in New Mexico with his girlfriend, singer Carlene Carter, in a vehicle had been reported as stolen. Officers found a small amount of heroin and heroin paraphernalia in the car, for which Carter was charged.
The band’s summer tour will feature both hits and songs from the forthcoming album The Golden Circle, which Petty and the Heartbreakers have been recording in Los Angeles with producer George Drakoulias (the Black Crowes). The album, which is scheduled for an October release, also features guest appearances by Jon Brion and Fleetwood Mac’s Lindsey Buckingham.
The Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Itinerary (Subject To Change):
- June 27 – Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena
- June 28 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center
- June 30 – Milwaukee, WI – Marcus Amphitheatre
- July 3 – Darien Center, NY – Darien Lake Six Flags Performing Arts Center
- July 5 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center
- July 6 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
- July 8 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Casino
- July 10 – Manchester, NH – Verizon Wireless Arena
- July 11 – Mansfield, MA – Tweeter Center
- July 14 – Hershey, PA – Star Pavilion
- July 16 – Burgettstown, PA – Post-Gazette Pavilion At Star Lake
- July 17 – Bristow, VA – Nissan Pavilion
- July 19 – Raleigh, NC – Alltel Pavilion At Walnut Creek
- July 20 – Charlotte, NC – Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Charlotte
- August 6 – Orlando, FL – TD Waterhouse Centre
- August 7 – West Palm Beach, FL – Mars Music Amphitheatre
- August 9 – Atlanta, GA – HiFi Buys Amphitheatre
- August 10 – Pelham, AL – Oak Mountain Amphitheatre
- August 13 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
- August 14 – Noblesville, IN – Verizon Wireless Music Center
- August 16 – Bonner Springs, KS – Sandstone Amphitheatre
- August 17 – Maryland Heights, MO – UMB Bank Pavilion
- August 21-22 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre
- August 24 – Devore, CA – Glen Helen Blockbuster Pavilion
- August 25 – Chula Vista, CA – Coors Amphitheatre
- August 28 – Nampa, ID – Idaho Center
- August 29 – Reno, NV – Reno Hilton Amphitheatre
- August 31 – Marysville, CA – Autowest Amphitheatre
- September 1 – Concord, CA – Chronicle Pavilion At Concord