Tom Petty’s Rare 1982 Live Performance to be Released on Vinyl

The Tom Petty Estate, in collaboration with Third Man Records, has announced the release of a rare bootleg recording titled Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers Live in Edinburgh 1982: The Gennaro Tapes. The recording, set to be released on November 29, captures a concert performed by the band in Edinburgh, Scotland during their 1982 tour promoting the album Long After Dark.

Recorded by the band’s beloved house sound mixer, Gennaro Rippo, this release marks a unique moment in Petty’s career. The original recording has remained untouched since it was first captured, and the vinyl pressing offers fans an unfiltered glimpse into the audio from the era. Jack White and Ben Blackwell from Third Man Records, both longstanding fans of Petty, spearheaded the project, seeking to offer listeners a raw and authentic experience.

The limited-edition vinyl, with only 7,000 copies available, will include three discs in various exclusive color editions: Tom Petty Store will offer a turquoise vinyl, Third Man Records Store will have a maroon reverse splatter version, and indie retailers will carry an orange wisp edition. The collection promises to be a collector’s item for dedicated fans and vinyl enthusiasts alike.

This initiative is part of a broader effort by the Tom Petty Estate to celebrate Petty’s legacy. Earlier this year, the estate released the Long After Dark Deluxe Edition, which includes 45 minutes of rediscovered tracks and documents key moments from the band’s tour in 1982. Cameron Crowe’s documentary, Heartbreakers Beach Party, is also part of the estate’s recent surge of archival releases.

The track list of Live in Edinburgh 1982: The Gennaro Tapes includes well-known hits such as «American Girl,» «You Got Lucky,» and «Refugee.» These tracks showcase the energetic and timeless nature of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers’ live performances from the early 1980s, a period considered by many as defining in the band’s history.