Mike Campbell teaches American Girl
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- Опубліковано 23 лис 2021
- Mike Campbell from Tom Petty and the heartbreakers teaches how to play American Girl
Screen recorded from his Facebook page, I just had to share it with the UA-cam audience
Covers a bunch of riffs, licks and the famous hammering finger movements - Авто та транспорт
Man is there anything better than getting a guitar lesson on an epic song from the artist himself? Thank you. Freaking awesome. American Girl never ages.
You’re so right, I loved that song as a kid in the ‘90s just as much as my folks did as young adults in the ‘70s, and I love it just as much now and KNOW I will in another 50 years if I’m still kicking.
There’s nothing better this is it
I totally agree!
I love that the comment prior to mine also starts with "man." Seriously.
Your right ! Well said
One of the most under-the-radar GREATS of electric guitar. He’s like 45% of what makes that band so great
Latest studies say it's 44.2%, but that still isn't bad.
@@YTOnceAgain what would you say about Joey Santiago of the Pixies? 35-40%
Mike is simply the secret weapon of rock n roll. The riffs, the intonation. The career. His contributions are uncountable.
Intonation? Or intuition? Not being a jackass just had me confused.
@@joeylo It's gotta be intonation, right? Speaking from experience, it's not easy to keep a Tele in tune that dead-on all up and down the neck, thirds and fifths and everything, bends and all, and Mike just nails it.
Right?! Such a legend
If you ever heard a Petty song and liked it, Mike Campbell is a huge part of the reason why. Petty said he could never have been what he was without his band, and this guy is a huge part of that sound. Great to hear him break down the "whys" of developing this song. Such quick seemingly simple little changes from a more straightforward way to play it are what make it sound so damn good.
I love Mike's playing. he was never a shredder or flashy , his playing was about tone and placement and time and he hit it on the head .
Truth.
He managed to rip it up on Refugee, but I know what you're saying. Mike is a very tasty player, and every note means something.
Yes… He played for the song, the singer and the band. He never played for his ego… great player!
Look at Petty's two lead guitarists (and dearest friends)- Mike Campbell and George Harrison (Wilburys). Neither was flashy. Play the right thing at the right time for the right length.
Short melodic solos that say something...
He is without a doubt one of the best ever -- along with Roger McGuinn.
I may be wrong.., but Mike Campbell comes off as the coolest guy on the planet... and definitely one of the greatest rock guitarist ever....
Just think of all the hits this guy has played on / co wrote. Monster guitar player...Monster musician.
@@coryjohnson5642 I agree 💘🎸
Yes, his inherent decency just radiates, and somehow makes you feel good. So generous of him to offer up all the how-to and interesting production backstory. Now I have to see if he's does one for the break in Running Down a Dream. I will say, though, there's another fine player on here with a great little tute on that one. Still, you can't beat getting the details from the original.
yeah, you're wrong
@@hollowpoint45acp LOL! Spoken like a true douche bag....
This guy is an American treasure. Tomz right hand man. Never missed a Tom Petty concert and followed them all around our great nation. The Greatest American band of All time!!
I can’t get over how generous he is to share so much great history and technical detail about how this song. I am so glad I happened on it today.
I agree. This was so cool of him. Great lesson.
Yeah, generous was the word that came to mind. Very cool
It is nice this way the song will live on
Top ten guitarist of all time…easily
Mike sounds a lot like Tom when he speaks. Wow. I've always loved Mike's guitar playing. Plus, he plays all of the coolest guitars. Anyhow, this is so cool. I love learning how these bands put together their grooves.
I was thinking the same thing about them sounding alike - but I never noticed until now. I gotta believe that it’s something in the tone with age, because I just don’t recall him sounding so much alike until now.
Absolutely, I did a double take as so as he started speaking.
Could be a regional dialect. Weren't they both from Gainesville, FL?
And I am just finding out that he yet one more star guitar player who hails from Jacksonville, Florida.
I have noticed that too. I guess when you spend as much time together as those two did you begin to pick up each others mannerisms and way of speaking.
Mike is in that class of guitarists like Mark Knopfler and Robert Cray who know it's the space you create that makes the musical experience engaging. Not trying to cram as many notes as possible to prove a point, going there only sparingly. The listener's mind gets drawn into the space between and that's why those songs just stick with you. When he talks about leaving out the thirds, and I think of him bringing that to the studio even in his early days of a rock and roll career, it just reinforces how well he understood this all along.
Hands down my favorite Heartbreakers song. "God it's so painful when something that is so close is still so far out of reach". That line is relatable on an almost universal level. As far as I'm concerned, American Girl is the single greatest piece of American rock music to ever grace the radio.
Wow. Just no. It's good but no.
Yikes…
Lol
Must’ve had his first happy ending to that song…. No other explanation is possible.
How much did uo get paid to post that...
I am completely gob-smacked 😮! Mike not only explained how to play the song, but in the course of doing that gave a master-class in arranging and production 😎❤️🎶!
Hanging out with Tom for so many years, Mike sounds and actually looks like him.
I was thinking the same thing!
100%
I imagine it worked both ways.
@@Paulcvids yes, One of the great duos like Keith/Mik and Plant/Page.
I love Mike’s parts. Such an interesting player. No “look how good I am” just exactly what the songs need.
Thanks for sharing Mike, and yeah, We NEVER got tired of hearing it live !
I was in that era as a working studio and gig guitarist. All guitarist were hell bent on heavy jam leads from no where. When I heard this song
for the first time I was shocked at how the guitar parts were so intricately constructed to perfection. Not the same old jam nonsense but
actual controlled art. That came to be the norm and true mark of TP&HB. Thank you Mike. You are a true Foundational Guitarist with Known
Historical Leads !!!!! I gave it all up and went on into flying and the airlines. There is not a day that goes I do not long for what I once was !!!!
In terms of all round musicality, adaptability, melodic flair and invention, Mike Campbell is about as good as it gets. Wonderful musician.
Mike plays the SONG…….the guitar is his voice for doing so. Absolutely love it! 😍😎😊
How can you play the guitar any better? Lots of work and natural ability.
Hands down, my favorite thing on the internet is seeing my favorite guitarists (Johnny Marr, Mark Knopfler, Mike Campbell here etc.) playing their best songs. Priceless!
You guys helped kill Disco so thank you…😂
The first song I covered of yours and Tom’s on guitar was Breakdown, in our basement cover band back in 79, had my Les Paul copy, Tube Screamer and a pretty cool blue padded 69 Kustom Amp.
The whole neighborhood owned it at one time 😂
My cousins drippy wet basement of his house on Avondale St. in West Philly, he was the drummer.
Today he’s the drummer in the rock band Interpol and has been for the past 23 years.
Could happily watch 3 hours of Mike doing this sort of thing with a load of Heartbreakers songs. Love the enthusiasm he has for a track he must have played thousands of times. Legend.
He is as genuine as they come. Not a pretentious bone in his body.
Yes, I'd pay good money to sit at his feet for 3 hours (preferably with my Tele in hand) and watch & listen.
@@slowuncle mate same here& with my tele too,bloody love a good tele👍
One of the most underrated guitarists around. His speaking voice is hauntingly close to Toms.
I thought the same thing about his voice!
He’s changed it a lot since Tom died I’ve noticed
Thought the same
Underated, really?
Ha Ha underated?! Are you mental ?
This is so great... it's all in his hands and feel... no effects... just a guitar, amp, and a soulful player
I can’t get enough of this song (top 5 for me) and am so grateful that he still plays these tunes with The Dirty Knobs.
Had to check the date on this to see that Mike put this up within the past few weeks. Mike Campbell explaining the components of 'American Girl.' If you wait long enough, all good things will come.
Yes, but the waiting is the hardest part. I’ll show myself out
@@randall9000 You take it on faith, you take it to the heart.
@@ocan1033 man that’s so cheesy. Stop! Don’t come around here no more.
@@nikdrown god it’s such a drag when you’re livin in the past ..
That studio is a DREAM WORLD! .... It's amazing how much Mikes voice sounds like Tom Petty's.
I wondered if it was just me.
They're both from Gainsville, FL, I believe. So that could be it.
I bet too just being close friends with someone for 50 years will make you start talking like each other a bit
Florida men
The studio reminds me of Levon Helms yard.
On the surface its just a video of Mike Campbell giving a guitar lesson on American Girl but really its one of the last living 70s rock legends giving a masterclass on writing/recording as a lead guitar in a pop rock band.
Here on the 4th July 2024!! Thanks Mike. Such and iconic song that has been with me most of my life. TB & the HB's are an American treasure. You have been my inspiration since 76'. Cheers.
One of the best guitar players.. ever. “Tasteful licks” for sure. That’s Mike. Love the stuff you did with Dylan too.
for sure
*Ive never been a Bob Dylan fan but the stuff he did with Petty, Lynne and Orbison is very under-rated.*
Bob Dylan sucks this guy way out classes him and he's not stuck up or on heroin. Bob Dylan is a piece of shit ask Joni Mitchell. Bob Dylan can rot in hell. You couldn't pay me to see that scumbag anywhere. He wouldn't even come to George Harrison's tribute concert. Some kind of loyal friend
Tasteful is good description.
Love it when the original musicians talk about how they wrote parts to great songs! We need more of this stuff, it’s so inspiring and educational!👍🏼
One of my guitar idols, Mike had such an amazing style and sound I’ve just always thought he was so talented 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Mike is such a legend, man. One of my all time favorite (and criminally underrated) guitarists. He's always been an absolute rock for the Heartbreakers sound - never flashy or shreddy, but his musical knowledge and chord placements/progressions have always added some serious mojo to the sound. Tom was the man...but Mike was the sound. Without him it all falls apart.
That tele, too...holy hell, what an awesome rig!!
This has got to be one of the most fascinating dissections on a song!! Now I’m about to go down a Mike Cambell rabbit hole today!!!
That's always a good place to be!
Hahaha.. I'm down the whole man.. This guy is is awesome.. You can totally tell Tom and Mike grew up together brother.. Really neat
REALLY beats the car-chase rabbit-hole event horizon I am currently trying to avoid!!!🤨😎
I've loved that song forever. It sounds as good today as it did 40 years ago.
Did you have to remind me of that
Mike keeps it simple. He doesn’t over complicate the music.
What a great guy. So down to earth excellent guitar player❤️
American Girl was my intro to the Heartbreakers when I was a sophomore in HS (1977) ... man what a way to fall in love with R&R...
Still my favorite song to this day.
I built the first version of this guitar around the end of 1970-71 (or '71-'72, can't remember), w/two SG Standard pickups, middle and neck, on a solid mahogany body. This guitar and amp sound fabulous. Thanks for doing this, Mike. Go Noles!
Wow
Sweet! Is that a Bigsby? Something else?
How is that wired? Three way or five way switch?
@@royknowlton2947 The one I built was wired like the old Telecasters, with #1 at bridge PUP; #1.5 (inbetween) lead/neck; middle, neck on treble; all the way forwar,d, neck on bass. had a Gibson three way switch to turn on middle pickup in any combination with Telecaster switch. I was a genius back then. I wonder what happened to me? 🙂
I love when someone explains something they love. I'm so in the moment. Thank you
SOO underrated, Mike Campbell is ABSOLUTELY one of the GREATEST EVRR!👍☝️☝️
A song so complicated, it HAD to be called “American Girl!” Great video. Love all things Mike Campbell.
Nice when the original player teaches you what was actually played and gives a little history of the song and his personal feelings. I wasn't a huge Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers fan, but I did enjoy their music. This clip should have a few million hits just because of Mike Campbell taking the time to do this. Thanks, Mike.
It's strange that you would say that. Neither was I a fan at the time they were getting popular in the 70's and 80's. But now I have become a huge fan and listen to everything they did frequently. I know it sounds strange but...I can't explain. Except I was listening to my radio about 1995 or so and I heard TP &H playing live from San Francisco. It was about a two hour concert and I guess I was hooked from that moment on. It was shockingly good. They even played Gloria.
@@HungryH1951 I was at the show you reference in S.F. (there were several at the Fillmore, but the radio broadcast was done on the final night.) I think it was in '97. They did 'Gloria' .. also 'You Are My Sunshine' (Petty introducing it with " _this_ _is_ _a_ _song_ _I_ _learned_ _in_ _camp_ ..") that segued into "Ain't No Sunshine" by Bill Withers.
My own experience pre-dates yours by some years .. was the early 80s pre-MTV and there was a show called "Rockvision" on a local station. The clip, I believe, was from a UK broadcast and Petty was playing at the Whiskey in LA, late 70s. And it was this solo, the outro to American Girl, Mike Campbell .. hooked me for life .
@@ocan1033 I was sitting out in my pickup truck one summer/fall evening when I heard that concert on the radio, just found it clicking through the stations. I listened to the whole concert. The DJ explained that they were the house band for several weeks in SF. I was totally impressed and considered it about the best thing I ever heard on the radio. A very tight and well practiced band. Made a fan of me for life. And Mike Campbell is my favorite guitar player. #2 is Stephen Stills. #3 Malcom Young (I'm a rhythm man as well).
Your ears must not work properly
How freaking COOL was that!!!! lol… being taught by Mike Cambell! He is my hero. Thankyou for all the joy you have brought into this world with your Amazing ability to play guitar 💘💘💘 and touch our hearts through the beautiful music you create! You are a GIFT.
I would LOVE to see More of these Amazing Classics Explained. It’s magical How Songs Like these come out of the ether and impact our Emotions. Could be life changing to marking parts of our life’s path. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were and are still world class musicians for this reason and I thank them for this!
Mike does not disappoint. He looks, sounds and lives like a Rock Star.
And to top it all off he and his wife, Marcie, run an animal rescue group called the Tazzy Animal Rescue Fund.
Mike I love this song. It is an American Treasure, just like the Heartbreakers. My wife and I listened to the Heartbreakers during her first pregnancy and now we listen with our children. Thank you for some of the greatest American Rock N Roll ever!!!
It's a shame his name is not more well known. Such a musical treasure!
What a memory Mike has for detail absolutely one of the best in the world on guitar
Thanks Mr. Campbell, I love you style of playing, your tone, and your dedication to Rock music and all that in entails. Appreciate you and the band. Keep rocking !!! The world needs it !!!
God He’s the coolest.you can feel how palpable the love is that he carries for Tom, his fellowHeartbreakers and the music. It’s so bittersweet.
This is one band that makes you proud to be American.
Mike your lead on running down a dream is legendary. Blew us away when we saw you playing it Live
Loving the sound of that Tele! Great player and seems like a genuine, humble dude.
American Girl blew me away when I heard it when it was originally released - and still does. The whole lyric in the second verse has such an ineffable sense of longing - culminating in the "god it's so painful..." couplet. Absolute magic writing - and guitar playing of course. Thanks Mike.
An American girl blew me other night at the truck stop in st george utah...beat the back of her throat til the seeds were transferred
I’m only 30 but the Heartbreakers music was everything to me. Timeless music and it will always hold a special place to me. Was lucky enough to see them 3 times. Some of my best memories.
Remember seeing you guys at Forest Hills Queens,( saw you guys seven times before) saying didn't they sound great, loved what you were wearing,tophat( awesome). 5 Weeks Later Tom passed away, my husband and I cried we were so upset but grateful we went to that show. All your concerts were always special
And don't forget, it's played in "The Silence of the Lambs." The next victim of that maniac is singing it in the car. And there was that guitar at the end. It was also listed as one of the 31 best rock songs of all time a few weeks ago.
So cool. It's so great when a guitar player breaks down the parts of an iconic song. And yes, Mike Campbells voice is eerily similar to Tom's. And I've never heard anyone in my entire life who talks like Tom. That's almost spooky.
I don’t know anything about playing the guitar, but I couldn’t stop watching this. I always loved American Girl and this made me realize how much I miss Tom. Glad that Mike really loves the song too.
Thank you, Mr. Campbell, for the guitar lesson on one of my favorite Heartbreaker songs.
He has a great big unmistakable sound of his own.
Really happy to hear the shout-out to Phil Seymore (RIP). Played with him a little in high school and knew he sang background vocals on the first album. You remain one of my all-time favorite guitarists. Thank you!
Phil was a great talent
I was 14 when American Girl came out we listened to it all the time I saw Tom in 82 with Stevie Nicks. RIP TOM you are an American legend.
Mike Campbell we Love you and your guitar work!
I brought my 12 year old son (his first concert) to see 1995 "Dogs with Wings" Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in Cincinnati . An incredible experience and great show! Howie Epstein had his German Shepard at that show... such a beautiful animal and so well behaved! We love and miss Tom Petty and also Howie!
American Girl is one of the songs that brought me back to playing guitar. After a decades long layoff, I became excited at the thought of learning this one and I took my time, cause I didn't want to even try it if I couldn't make it sound good. So I worked on my fundamentals and waited a year before I felt ready.
Over the past 5 years I've picked up a few techniques that are important to the song and now Mr Mike Campbell himself delivers the final pieces.
Thank you, Mike and thank you Tom. The Heartbreakers music will live on and thrill audiences that are yet unborn.
It's awesome to hear your stories about the songs you guys wrote and the leads you created. Love your channel Mike.
Finally able to listen to the Masters explain their own art is an amazing experience. Thank you Sir. I only wish that we could see you explain everything else that you would like to do b/c I know everyone would love it. That you would take the time to explain how to play things the way that you originally intended, to me is a spiritual thing. Thank you so much! Keep on Rockin'!
What a guy...thanks for demystifying a classic for us Mike 👏
Love the Heartbreakers. Mike Campbell rocks on.
Mike ,you're the best. Thank you very much.
I love it when a master guitarist like Mike explains the skills he used to help create a classic. Tom was awesome but Mike and Ben were also major contributors to the band's sound and their huge success. I took their music for granted at the time because there was so much great music back then. Now I listen to bands from that era and some music seems to have aged better than others throughout the years. The Heartbreakers are one of those bands who created classics that get better with time. RIP Tom, you are greatly missed!
The greatest bands take from the past & bring it forward. Bruce did it as did Tom. Roger McGuinn wondered when he wrote it after hearing it. Of course, he didn’t write it but he might have. It sure sounded a bit like classic Roger. Tom was an original. Shalom
Mike is a musical gift to us and classic rocker!
Leaving the third out! Makes it chime. Going to use it in my own stuff. Thanks!!
Peter Solley once told me that that's how the Brits (guitarists) got such great sounds when chording - by NOT playing the third of the chord which 'beats' too slowly and muds up the sound...
It’s awesome when you can “borrow “ stuff like this and now it’s yours
One of the all time best guitarist around! His contributions to Tom Petty's success cannot be overstated. We all hum and or sing to Mike Campbell's iconic riffs because they are always so spot on!! I've seen them in concert several times, and always left amazed at the talent in the band.
Yes the "fiddley bits," you are the best Mike Campbell!😊
Guitar lessons with THEE Mike Campbell,... brilliant!, Thanks so much Mike for the interesting stories that go along with the demonstrations of all your videos. This is the stuff I live for,... knowing how great songwriters approach their craft and how contributions from members of a band sculpt a great song together. First saw Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers in 1979 in Edmonton, Alberta at the Riviera Hotel. I think it was just a last minute date as the band was either heading to or from British Columbia. So many great years of music,... thanks so much for all the great memories.
You’re a treasure Mike , thank you 👍
One of the best songs ever. So emotional and nostalgic. I love playing it on my acoustic.
grew up as a teen with that song.....what great memories....still one of my favs!!!!
The songwriting magic of Petty & Campbell made Lennon & McCartney look like rookies . That band made so many great songs .
Keep 'em comin' Mike. Great informative vid by a great guitarist. Thanx dude.
God bless Tom. We miss him so much. Well done, Mike. Very well done.
That song is a time capsule. Tom Petty and the heartbreakers were one of those bands that always seemed to have a thumb on the heartbeat of the culture
M.C. is just so down to earth cool you almost forget he was the driving force behind the Heartbreakers!
So glad I got to see them live twice!!
It’s amazing that Tom, Mike, and Benmont all happened to grow up in the same place. What incredible luck. It’s also impressive that a relatively inexperienced group was so open to studio experimentation and complex arrangements. I love these videos, thank you.
I always think the same about the Beatles.
This is amazing, thanks so much.
That c# over the G chord lick is perfect. I was definitely one of those guitarists that missed that lol
So did I! Easy enough to change, which I’ll do to get it like the recording. Funny that I actually heard that note early on, but liked the C better because it’s the 4th note in the G major scale, and that part of the solo is being played over a G major chord.. I don’t know why he said it isn’t in the chord, so what am I missing? But, it’s Mike’s song and it’s etched in stone. Therefore, time to get on the same page. Besides, C# works.
The band I’m in covers that song and it’s my favorite one to play.
@@ronpippin1084 he’s playing the Key of the Song, not the key of the Chord! Which makes it genius and simple. In jazz terms, there’s a #11 over the IV chord. Which happens naturally.
Mike Campbell. Never was there a better guitarist who played what the song called for, so tastefully and perfectly.
As an avid TPHB fan, these videos from Mike are truly like Christmas gifts unto themselves to me! I enjoy them so much for both the songs' origins, firsthand details, as well as the guitar/vocal mechanics. I also get the added benefit of seeing many of his vintage guitars in the background-- a sort of "easter egg" plus! Thank you, Mike! You're my #1 guitarist! Suspending your iconic axes from the ceiling?? What will you conjure up next, dude?!
I can wholeheartedly share Mikes enthusiasm and love for this song. It's one of those magical tracks that evokes so much emotion and nostalgia. Those guitar parts are simply beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Thanx Mr. Campbell, I will always cherish seeing you and Tom in Maryland hts Missouri when the great Stevie Windwood opened for ya. Tom was rt it was a great Rock n Roll show. Great lesson. Missing Tom carry on Mike. You are still both loved by at least this fan. ❤😊
An engaging viewer friendly tutorial. Much appreciated. Also, thank you for recognizing Phil Seymour, RIP, who’s backing vocals complimented yet pushed the dynamics.
Thank you, Mike, for sharing your techniques. There aren't many players of your caliber that share their process and technique like this and it is super appreciated. Having never had the chance to see you live, this is a great way to learn a classic tune.
Holy shit. This is amazing to gets the hooks everyone been learning on their own from one of the creators is amazing. The laser vocal trick is a gem. Thanks for the vid. I always thought Tom Petty was our Buddy Holly. Mike is so under rated and under appreciated as a lead guitarists too.
Mike is one of my favorites. NOBODY sounds like him.
Everything Mike played complimented the song... and that makes the perfect band guy...
Thank you for showing the world how to play this. You have always been a great musician. You play for the song. And you are also a good human being. Again thank you.
Agreed, one of your absolute best tracks, and there are many to choose from. Thank you so much for the lesson!
Tom Petty told everyone how he wrote songs and George Harrison also shared his song writing experience now Mike Campbell the legendary guitar hero of THE HEARTBREAKERS is showing me more about my guitar than I thought I would ever know! Thanks Mike your my guitar hero and All American. American Girl will always be a favorite song and it is true that song makes it feel like I was young again.
Thanks, Mike! Amazing that you and Tom were able to create the jangle and chime of 12-strings through crafty arrangements of your 6-string parts, including your brilliant chord inversions and single-note hooks!