The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is excited to welcome new artifacts
from 2002 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees and legendary rock band, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, into the Museum’s Main Exhibit Hall.
From studio notes and handwritten lyrics to backstage passes and tickets stubs, this new display tells the story of Tom Petty and the Heartbreaker’s groundbreaking 1982 album, Long After Dark, from the earliest stages through its subsequent tour.
Featured in the exhibit is Petty’s acoustic guitar, a piece he played at home, used in the studio and took with him on the road, the music video script from the “You Got Lucky” music video, and cassette tapes from a 1982 tour stop in Edinburgh, Scotland among other artifacts.
Despite it being a golden era of The Heartbreakers playing at the height of their powers, Long After Dark is widely known as the band’s most misunderstood and underrated success. The album, the band’s third and final project with legendary producer Jimmy Iovine, features an edgy collection of rock ballads and guitar anthems backed by the unmistakable sound of The Heartbreakers with the new addition of Howie Epstein on bass and backing vocals.
In 1982, fans were able to experience the folklore of Long After Dark in the cult-classic documentary, TOM PETTY: HEARTBREAKERS BEACH PARTY. A rowdy era-defining look at rock & roll, the film takes place during the finalizing, promoting and touring of Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers’ Long After Dark. Directed by Academy Award-winning director Cameron Crowe (Almost Famous, Jerry Maguire), the film originally aired only once on MTV in February 1983. Last year, The Petty Estate, in partnership with Trafalgar, facilitated the critically acclaimed documentary’s theatrical and streaming debuts which will have a special showing at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame later this year.
The revamped Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers display is open now and included with general admission to the Museum. Thanks to KeyBank, City of Cleveland residents can visit the Rock Hall for free every day through the CLE*VIP program.
