True Confessions Tour
The True Confessions Tour was a major collaborative concert tour by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, featuring Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers as his backing band and co-headliners, which took place throughout 1986.[1] The tour launched in early February 1986 and consisted of multiple international legs, beginning with shows in New Zealand and Australia, followed by performances in Japan, an extensive North American run of 41 dates across the United States and Canada starting in June, and concluding with the North American leg later that year.[2][3][4] Shows typically featured an opening set by Dylan backed by the Heartbreakers, an alternating set by Petty and his band, and joint encores with both acts performing together, highlighting their burgeoning musical partnership that had begun when Petty opened for Dylan in 1985.[3] This tour marked a significant revival in Dylan's live performances during the 1980s, revitalizing his career with energetic renditions of classics like "Like a Rolling Stone" and "Knockin' on Heaven's Door," and it laid the groundwork for future collaborations, including the formation of the Traveling Wilburys supergroup.[1]Background and Conception
Origins and Development
Following his 1984 European tour, Bob Dylan entered a period of limited large-scale touring activity, marked by a creative search for a revitalized sound during 1985.[5] This experience underscored Dylan's desire for a more structured rock backing to reinvigorate his performances amid a decade of career uncertainties.[6] Meanwhile, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were enjoying surging popularity following the release of their 1985 album Southern Accents, which produced hits like "Don't Come Around Here No More" and reinforced their status as a leading rock act.[5] The two artists had already forged informal ties, including the Heartbreakers' contributions to sessions for Dylan's Empire Burlesque earlier that year, where band members played on several tracks, including "Something's Burning, Baby."[7] These connections were further strengthened by joint rehearsals and a performance together at the September 1985 Farm Aid benefit concert. These connections culminated in late 1985 negotiations for a collaborative tour, structured with Dylan as headliner and the Heartbreakers as his primary backing band, supplemented by Petty's opening sets.[5] The arrangement promised mutual artistic gains, particularly exposing Petty's music to Dylan's established audience while giving Dylan access to a polished, energetic ensemble to sharpen his live delivery.[6] Logistically, the tour was designed to commence in Oceania to generate early buzz in international markets before progressing to North America, encompassing roughly 60 shows divided into three legs: Australasian, Japanese, and U.S.[8] This sequencing allowed for a gradual buildup, with the opening Australasian dates—including a filmed performance in Sydney for the Hard to Handle video—serving as a proving ground for the partnership.[5]Announcement and Promotion
The True Confessions Tour was officially announced in January 1986 through a Rolling Stone feature detailing Bob Dylan's invitation to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers to serve as his backing band for an initial five-week run across New Zealand, Australia, and Japan, building on their prior collaboration at the September 1985 Farm Aid benefit concert.[3] The announcement highlighted the tour's format, with Dylan performing an opening set followed by joint appearances sharing songs from both artists' catalogs, aimed at recapturing a raw, energetic rock sound.[9] Promotional efforts included custom tour posters and souvenir programs featuring artwork emphasizing the duo's synergy, distributed at ticket outlets and through fan clubs.[4] Dylan and Petty participated in pre-tour interviews to generate buzz, with Dylan noting in a July 1986 Rolling Stone piece that Petty's band brought fresh vitality to his performances, stating, "We’re recapturing the spirit of Highway 61 Revisited," while Petty described the partnership as "like a dream" for its mutual creative inspiration.[9] Additional publicity came from early 1986 media spots, such as Dylan's January interview with the Chicago Sun-Times and Australian Rolling Stone, where they discussed the collaborative rehearsals involving around 60 songs at Universal Studios.[10] Ticket sales for the international leg launched shortly after the announcement, with strong initial demand reported for the February 5 opening in Wellington, New Zealand.[3] Pre-tour media buildup intensified in March 1986 via a Rolling Stone article covering the Down Under kickoff and logistical preparations, including a near-cancellation of the Wellington permit due to local concerns.[8] To address Dylan's historically reclusive persona contrasting Petty's more approachable style, the promotion incorporated joint radio appearances and photo opportunities, such as a February 10 press conference in Sydney.[10] The North American leg was separately revealed in May 1986, expanding the tour to 22 cities across North America.[11]Personnel and Format
Band Lineups
The True Confessions Tour featured Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers as the primary backing band for Bob Dylan's electric sets.[12] Bob Dylan handled lead vocals, rhythm guitar, and harmonica throughout, opening with a 6-7 song electric set backed by the Heartbreakers, followed later by a solo acoustic segment of 3-4 songs.[13][14] Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers performed two mini-sets, each of 2 songs in the international legs or 4 songs in the North American leg, showcasing their established rock sound, before rejoining Dylan for joint segments and encores. The band's members included Tom Petty on lead vocals and guitar, Mike Campbell on lead guitar, Benmont Tench on keyboards and backing vocals, Howie Epstein on bass and backing vocals, and Stan Lynch on drums. This configuration lent a consistent rock edge to Dylan's material, enhancing the tour's collaborative energy, with no changes to the core band during the run.[12][15] The ensemble was augmented by a quartet of backing vocalists known as the Queens of Rhythm, who contributed harmonies during Dylan's electric sets and encores. The lineup varied by leg: for the international legs (New Zealand, Australia, Japan), the singers were Queen Esther Marrow, Madelyn Quebec, Elisecia Wright, and Debra Byrd; for the North American leg, they were Queen Esther Marrow, Madelyn Quebec, Louise Mathoon Byrd, and Carolyn Dennis.[15][13] Occasional additional musicians appeared, such as Al Kooper on organ for select North American shows. Their roles emphasized layered vocal textures, supporting the tour's blend of Dylan's style with the Heartbreakers' arrangements.[12]Show Structure
The True Confessions Tour concerts followed a structured format designed to showcase both Bob Dylan and Tom Petty while emphasizing their collaboration. Dylan opened with an electric set backed by the Heartbreakers for 6-7 songs, setting an energetic tone.[13][14] This was followed by the first mini-set from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (2 songs in international legs, 4 in North America), lasting about 10-15 minutes, allowing Dylan a break. Next came Dylan's solo acoustic segment of 3-4 songs for approximately 20-30 minutes, drawing from his folk roots.[13] A joint performance of 1 song by Dylan and Petty transitioned to the second mini-set by the Heartbreakers (again 2 or 4 songs, providing another 10-20 minutes downtime for Dylan). The main electric set then resumed with Dylan backed by the Heartbreakers for 5-6 songs, transforming classics into rock arrangements and highlighting the band's musicianship.[5][13] Transitions between acts were seamless, with no formal intermissions, to maintain momentum. The concert culminated in a joint encore of 3 songs (1 by Dylan and Petty, 2 by Dylan with band), with the entire show typically lasting around two hours.[14][13]Itinerary
International Legs
The international legs of the True Confessions Tour encompassed the Oceania and Asia segments, spanning February 5 to March 10, 1986, and served as the tour's opening phase before shifting to North America. This portion featured 19 concerts across New Zealand, Australia, and Japan, emphasizing Dylan's return to international stages with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers as his backing band. The shows were held in prominent arenas and stadiums, generating significant regional excitement and helping to establish the tour's collaborative dynamic on a global scale.[4] The Oceania leg began in New Zealand with two performances: February 5 at Athletic Park in Wellington, launching the tour, followed by February 7 at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland. It then proceeded to Australia for 13 shows from February 10 to March 1, marking Dylan's first major tour there since his 1978 world tour and attracting diverse, enthusiastic audiences that bridged generations of fans. Key stops included multiple nights in Sydney at the Entertainment Centre (February 10–13 and 24–25), a single show at Memorial Drive Park in Adelaide on February 15, two concerts at Perth Entertainment Centre on February 17–18, three performances at Kooyong Stadium in Melbourne on February 20–22, and a closing date at Lang Park in Brisbane on March 1. These dates highlighted the tour's momentum-building role in the Southern Hemisphere, with sold-out venues underscoring Dylan's enduring appeal Down Under.[16][17][8]| Date | City | Venue | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 5, 1986 | Wellington | Athletic Park | New Zealand |
| February 7, 1986 | Auckland | Mount Smart Stadium | New Zealand |
| February 10, 1986 | Sydney | Sydney Entertainment Centre | Australia |
| February 11, 1986 | Sydney | Sydney Entertainment Centre | Australia |
| February 12, 1986 | Sydney | Sydney Entertainment Centre | Australia |
| February 13, 1986 | Sydney | Sydney Entertainment Centre | Australia |
| February 15, 1986 | Adelaide | Memorial Drive Park | Australia |
| February 17, 1986 | Perth | Perth Entertainment Centre | Australia |
| February 18, 1986 | Perth | Perth Entertainment Centre | Australia |
| February 20, 1986 | Melbourne | Kooyong Stadium | Australia |
| February 21, 1986 | Melbourne | Kooyong Stadium | Australia |
| February 22, 1986 | Melbourne | Kooyong Stadium | Australia |
| February 24, 1986 | Sydney | Sydney Entertainment Centre | Australia |
| February 25, 1986 | Sydney | Sydney Entertainment Centre | Australia |
| March 1, 1986 | Brisbane | Lang Park | Australia |
| Date | City | Venue | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 5, 1986 | Tokyo | Nippon Budokan | Japan |
| March 6, 1986 | Osaka | Osaka-jo Hall | Japan |
| March 8, 1986 | Nagoya | Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium | Japan |
| March 10, 1986 | Tokyo | Nippon Budokan | Japan |
North American Leg
The North American leg of the True Confessions Tour ran from June 9 to August 6, 1986, encompassing 41 shows throughout the United States and Canada. This portion of the tour marked a significant return for Bob Dylan to large-scale North American performances, backed by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, following international dates earlier in the year. The itinerary emphasized a summer outdoor focus, traversing from the West Coast to the East Coast and back, with performances in major markets that highlighted Dylan's renewed collaboration with Petty's band.[22] The leg began on June 9 at the San Diego Sports Arena in San Diego, California, followed by shows at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley on June 13 and 14, setting a tone for amphitheater and arena venues with capacities typically ranging from 10,000 to 60,000. Notable East Coast stops included three consecutive nights at Madison Square Garden in New York City on July 15, 16, and 17, two nights at The Spectrum in Philadelphia on July 19 and 20, and two stadium dates at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., on July 6 and 7, where peak attendance reached approximately 50,000 per night. The only Canadian date was a stadium show at BC Place in Vancouver on August 1, which drew 23,164 attendees. The Grateful Dead served as openers for select dates, including the July 6 RFK Stadium concert. Many shows in major cities sold out rapidly, reflecting strong demand for the double bill amid the summer festival circuit integration at outdoor venues like Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Alpine Valley Music Theatre. While official box office totals are unavailable, the tour's scale—spanning arenas, amphitheaters, and stadiums—underscored its commercial viability in an era of rising concert ticket prices averaging $15–20.| Date | City | Venue | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 9, 1986 | San Diego | San Diego Sports Arena | United States |
| June 11, 1986 | Reno | Lawlor Events Center | United States |
| June 12, 1986 | Sacramento | Cal Expo Amphitheatre | United States |
| June 13, 1986 | Berkeley | Greek Theatre | United States |
| June 14, 1986 | Berkeley | Greek Theatre | United States |
| June 16, 1986 | Costa Mesa | Pacific Amphitheatre | United States |
| June 17, 1986 | Costa Mesa | Pacific Amphitheatre | United States |
| June 18, 1986 | Phoenix | Veterans Memorial Coliseum | United States |
| June 20, 1986 | Houston | Southern Star Amphitheater | United States |
| June 21, 1986 | Austin | Frank Erwin Center | United States |
| June 22, 1986 | Dallas | Reunion Arena | United States |
| June 24, 1986 | Indianapolis | Market Square Arena | United States |
| June 26, 1986 | Minneapolis | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | United States |
| June 27, 1986 | East Troy | Alpine Valley Music Theatre | United States |
| June 29, 1986 | Hoffman Estates | Poplar Creek Music Center | United States |
| June 30, 1986 | Clarkson | Pine Knob Music Theatre | United States |
| July 1, 1986 | Clarkson | Pine Knob Music Theatre | United States |
| July 2, 1986 | Akron | Rubber Bowl | United States |
| July 4, 1986 | Buffalo | Rich Stadium | United States |
| July 6, 1986 | Washington, D.C. | RFK Stadium | United States |
| July 7, 1986 | Washington, D.C. | RFK Stadium | United States |
| July 8, 1986 | Mansfield | Great Woods Center for the Performing Arts | United States |
| July 9, 1986 | Mansfield | Great Woods Center for the Performing Arts | United States |
| July 11, 1986 | Hartford | Hartford Civic Center | United States |
| July 13, 1986 | Saratoga Springs | Saratoga Performing Arts Center | United States |
| July 15, 1986 | New York City | Madison Square Garden | United States |
| July 16, 1986 | New York City | Madison Square Garden | United States |
| July 17, 1986 | New York City | Madison Square Garden | United States |
| July 19, 1986 | Philadelphia | The Spectrum | United States |
| July 20, 1986 | Philadelphia | The Spectrum | United States |
| July 21, 1986 | East Rutherford | Brendan Byrne Arena | United States |
| July 22, 1986 | Mansfield | Great Woods Center for the Performing Arts | United States |
| July 24, 1986 | Bonner Springs | Sandstone Amphitheatre | United States |
| July 26, 1986 | Morrison | Red Rocks Amphitheatre | United States |
| July 27, 1986 | Morrison | Red Rocks Amphitheatre | United States |
| July 29, 1986 | Portland | Memorial Coliseum | United States |
| July 31, 1986 | Tacoma | Tacoma Dome | United States |
| August 1, 1986 | Vancouver | BC Place Stadium | Canada |
| August 3, 1986 | Inglewood | The Forum | United States |
| August 5, 1986 | Mountain View | Shoreline Amphitheatre | United States |
| August 6, 1986 | Paso Robles | Mid-State Fairgrounds | United States |