Significant longplayers from the past
5 May 2026
On 6 May 1981, 45 years ago, TOM PETTY and his HEARTBREAKERS
released their 4th longplayer, HARD PROMISES.
Its working title was Benmont’s Revenge, referring to their keyboard player
and the band’s co-founder Benmont Tench. Hard Promises is the last full
album to feature the original Heartbreakers lineup, as bassist Ron Blair
left after the album’s release.
It reached #5 on the US Charts, #1 in New Zealand and #32 in the UK.
AllMusic‘s verdict: “It offered a reaffirmation that the previous album ‘Damn
The Torpedoes’ wasn’t a fluke. There’s not much new on the surface, since it continues
the sound of its predecessor, but it’s filled with great songwriting, something that’s as
difficult to achieve as a distinctive sound. It has a tremendous set of songs and a unified
sound that makes it one of Petty’s finest records.” Score: 4/5.
SINGLE
ALBUM