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The Last DJ

by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Released: October 08, 2002

Heartland rock

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Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Chart Success.

The Album

This album marked the return of original Heartbreaker Ron Blair on bass guitar, who replaced Howie Epstein. "The Last DJ" is the 11th studio album by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. The title track, along with "Money Becomes King," "Joe," and "Can't Stop the Sun," critiques greed within the music industry, prompting some radio stations to boycott the songs.

Inside the Recording

Blair's return occurred late in the recording process, so Petty and Campbell contributed much of the bass work themselves.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

A limited edition digipack version of the album…

A limited edition digipack version of the album was also released, which included a DVD featuring music videos and behind-the-scenes footage from the album's production.

The title track and "Dreamville" were later included…

The title track and "Dreamville" were later included on the compilation The Best of Everything.

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Essential Tracks

The Last DJ

"The Last DJ" is the 11th studio album by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

Money Becomes King

The title track, along with "Money Becomes King," "Joe," and "Can't Stop the Sun," critiques greed within the music industry, prompting some radio stations to boycott the songs.

Dreamville

The title track and "Dreamville" were later included on the compilation The Best of Everything.

Joe

The title track, along with "Money Becomes King," "Joe," and "Can't Stop the Sun," critiques greed within the music industry, prompting some radio stations to boycott the songs.

Can't Stop the Sun

The title track, along with "Money Becomes King," "Joe," and "Can't Stop the Sun," critiques greed within the music industry, prompting some radio stations to boycott the songs.

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Explore the Album

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - The Last DJ

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Reception

The album reached No. 9 on the Billboard 200, buoyed by the single "The Last DJ," which peaked at No. 22 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in 2002. By 2010, The Last DJ had sold 353,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"The Last DJ" is the 11th studio album by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. The title track, along with "Money Becomes King," "Joe," and "Can't Stop the Sun," critiques greed within the music industry, prompting some radio stations to boycott the songs.

A limited edition digipack version of the album was also released, which included a DVD featuring music videos and behind-the-scenes footage from the album's production.

This album marked the return of original Heartbreaker Ron Blair on bass guitar, who replaced Howie Epstein. Blair's return occurred late in the recording process, so Petty and Campbell contributed much of the bass work themselves.

The title track and "Dreamville" were later included on the compilation The Best of Everything.