MIKE CAMPBELL

The Heartbreaker carries the musical torch for the man who was like a brother to him.

How do you see the line between your band the Dirty Knobs and your life with Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers?

Well, my partner is missing, and my band of the past is on hiatus. We really can’t see carrying on without Tom. So that’s a part of my life that’s come and gone. I’ve had the Dirty Knobs for quite a while, so it’s not a new thing. I’m just continuing to do what I’ve always done, which is write and play songs that I like.

You’re singing lead now.

I never sang because I’m insecure and didn’t like my voice, and, well, I was in a band with Tom [laughs]. Over time I started singing more on demos, but I don’t consider myself a singer. During the Traveling

Wilburys sessions, when Tom, George [Harrison], Jeff [Lynne] and Bob [Dylan] were in the other room, Roy Orbison said to me: “You know, I’m a real singer. Those guys aren’t singers. They’re more like stylists.” I put myself in that category [laughs].

What was best about the 2007 reunion of you and Tom’s early band Mudcrutch?

The best part of it was reconnecting with the guys we played with in Florida. Tom really enjoyed just being the bass player, stepping back from the spotlight.

In 2018, you toured as a member of Fleetwood Mac. Mick [Fleetwood] called out of the blue and said: “This is not an audition. We want you to join the band.” I thought it over, and decided it would be worth it. We had a ball. I’ve bumped into Lindsey [Buckingham] here and there and he’s always gracious and respectful. I have nothing but admiration for him.

Before the last Heartbreakers tour, you guys must have seen that Tom was struggling.

He had some issues with his hip. But the bottom line is Tom wanted to do it. He said: “I’m going to go on this tour even if I have to sit in a chair.” With Tom, nobody tells him what to do. So we followed his lead. He was great on the tour. He sang great, played great, and he really had a lot of joy in his face on stage. So I’ll never regret it.

Do you ever dream about Tom?

I do. And I’m still grieving. The dreams are always really good ones, about happy memories. I always feel like he’s next to me. Any time I get stuck on writing or don’t know which direction I should go, I kind of just look over my shoulder and say: “What would you do?” He’s always there with me. We were beyond brothers.

External Combustion is out now via BMG.