August 14, 2002 — Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers will release their new album The Last DJ October 8 on Warner Brothers.

Recorded in Los Angeles, the album was produced by George Drakoulias, Tom Petty and Mike Campbell. Petty (Guitars, Bass, Piano, Ukulele, Vocals), Campbell (Guitars, Bass) and Benmont Tench (Keyboards) are joined by longtime associates Scott Thurston (Guitar, Lap Steel Guitar, Ukulele) and Steve Ferrone (Drums). Playing bass on two tracks is Ron Blair, the Heartbreakers' original bass player who left the band after the Hard Promises album. He is also playing bass with the Heartbreakers on the current tour. The Last DJ features special guests Lindsey Buckingham, who lends background vocals on "The Man Who Loves Women," and Jon Brion, who conducts the orchestra as well as arranges orchestrations with Petty on "Money Becomes King," "Dreamville" and "Like a Diamond."

The complete track listing for The Last DJ is as follows:

The Last DJ
Money Becomes King
Dreamville
Joe
When a Kid Goes Bad
Like a Diamond
Lost Children
Blue Sunday
You and Me
The Man Who Loves Women
Have Love Will Travel
Can't Stop the Sun

"I saw it as a little audio movie," Petty says of the new album. "There are a few characters and, I guess, a loose concept. But I didn't want it to be too defined, too nailed down to where it's all a narrative. I wrote a love song or two. I felt that these people had to have some hope in their lives. By the end of the thing it's an optimistic view."

Petty and the Heartbreakers have been performing three of the new songs – "Have Love Will Travel," "Lost Children" and "Can't Stop the Sun" – on their current summer tour.