Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are celebrating 50 years with a massive box set that traces the band’s origins from the 1970s. Origins 1971-1978 arrives November 6 via UMe, and it spans five LPs, four CDs, and an “uber deluxe” edition. The collection covers everything from Petty’s pre-Hearbreakers days in Mudcrutch to the band’s early albums, live recordings, and rare cuts.
One disc, No Sleep Til L.A., is also being released as a standalone album. It features seven unreleased songs, including the video for “Parade of Loons,” which stars Iain Armitage, the actor best known as Young Sheldon.
What’s on the Box
The 5xLP version of Origins 1971-1978 runs across five discs:
- LP1: No Sleep Til L.A. — rare tracks from Mudcrutch to the Heartbreakers’ first years
- LP2: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (50th Anniversary Edition) — newly remixed and mastered
- LP3: You’re Gonna Get It! (50th Anniversary Edition) — also newly remixed and mastered
- LP4: Live From the Record Plant 1977 — the band’s 1977 session recordings, released in full for the first time
- LP5: The Cut Out Bin — rarities from the period
The 4xCD and “uber deluxe” editions add a Blu-ray and a DVD of the band’s 1978 performance on the BBC’s Old Grey Whistle Test. The vinyl versions come with an 88-page fanzine, liner notes by David Fricke and Bud Scoppa, track-by-track annotations from the band, and collectibles.
No Sleep Til L.A.
No Sleep Til L.A. is the centerpiece of the collection. The seven unreleased songs span Petty’s time in Mudcrutch through the early Heartbreakers era, offering a direct link between the two projects.
“Parade of Loons” is the standout track, and its video features Iain Armitage. The song appears on LP1, along with other deep cuts like “Sin City,” “Wild Eyes,” and “Up in Mississippi Tonight.”
The disc also includes “Unheard of Kind of Hero” and “Since You Said You Love Me,” both of which have never been available before.
The Remastered Albums
The box set pairs two of the Heartbreakers’ earliest studio records with fresh mixes. Both Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and You’re Gonna Get It! were remixed and mastered by Ryan Ulyate, the band’s longtime producer and engineer.
LP2 opens with “Rockin’ Around With You” and runs through “American Girl.” LP3 follows with “When the Time Comes” and closes with “Baby’s a Rock ’N’ Roller.”
These are the records that established the Heartbreakers as a major force in rock, and the new mixes give them a fresh shine.
Live From the Record Plant 1977
LP4 is the most complete look at the band’s early live work. The session recordings capture the group in 1977, and the set runs through “Pre-Show” to “Dog on the Run.”
“American Girl” and “Fooled Again” appear on this disc, alongside the intros and interludes that framed the performances. The set also includes “Listen to Her Heart,” “I Need to Know,” and “Strangered in the Night.”
This is the first full release of these recordings, making it a significant addition to the band’s catalog.
The Cut Out Bin
LP5 rounds out the collection with The Cut Out Bin, a rarities set that includes “Save Me,” “Making Some Noise,” and “Cry to Me.” These tracks were left off earlier releases, and their inclusion here gives fans a complete picture of the material Petty was working with during the 1970s.
The disc also features “The Ballad of Harry, Neil & Tillie,” a track with a title that points to the people behind the scenes. The set closes with “Lost in Your Eyes.”
The Reunion at the Americana Awards
The box set announcement comes ahead of a Heartbreakers reunion at tonight’s Americana Awards. The band will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Chris Stapleton will join original members Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench, Stan Lynch, and Ron Blair to open the show.
Stapleton’s involvement adds star power to the evening. The award recognizes the band’s contributions to American music over five decades.
The Tracklist
Here is the full tracklist for Origins 1971-1978:
| Disc | Title |
|---|---|
| LP1 | No Sleep Til L.A. |
| LP2 | Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers |
| LP3 | You’re Gonna Get It! |
| LP4 | Live From the Record Plant 1977 |
| LP5 | The Cut Out Bin |
The standalone No Sleep Til L.A. is also available separately, featuring the seven unreleased songs.
The Verdict
Origins 1971-1978 is a comprehensive look at the band’s formative years. It brings together rare tracks from Mudcrutch, newly remixed classics, live recordings, and previously unheard material.
For fans, this is a definitive statement. For newcomers, it offers a gateway into the band’s history.
The video for “Parade of Loons” is a fun bonus, and the BBC performance on the DVD provides a visual anchor for the live material.
The box set is a celebration of a band that changed rock music. It deserves a place on any serious collection.
KEY FACTS BOX
– Release date: November 6
– Format: 5xLP, 4xCD, “uber deluxe”
– Standalone release: No Sleep Til L.A. (seven unreleased songs)
– Producer/engineer: Ryan Ulyate
– Live disc: Live From the Record Plant 1977 (first full release)
SCHEDULE
| Event | Date |
| — | — |
| Americana Awards | Tonight |
| Box set release | November 6 |
| Standalone No Sleep Til L.A. release | November 6 |
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