Friday’s Leftovers: Petty Returns to the Road

We didn’t take Tom Petty seriously in 2006 when he announced that he was done touring. Petty proved us (and virtually everyone else) right yesterday when he announced a major summer tour with Steve Winwood as the opening act. Petty also swears that he and the Heartbreakers won’t do a medley at the Super Bowl next weekend, but we’ll also believe that when we see it.

Let’s all take a look at what’s goin’ on before you head out for the weekend:

• Get the lowdown on Last FM’s new free service that lets fans listen to their favorite songs on-demand
• The show will go on: the writers guild won’t picket the Grammys
• Phil Lesh talks about his mancrush on Jackie Greene
• Bands and fans find a new way to connect thanks to PluggedIn
• The initial lineups for the McDowell Mountain Music Festival and the Northwest String Summit have been announced
• Bob Lefsetz lists the ten most powerful people in the music industry
• Girl Talk’s Greg Gillis speaks with Greg Kot about life after Night Ripper
• Portishead aims to release a new 11-song set named Third on April 14
• Legacy Recordings will celebrate Willie Nelson’s 75th birthday by releasing a wide-ranging box set
• Gothamist asks if pricey rehearsal spaces are driving bands out of NYC

And as has become custom around these parts, let’s finish the week by checking out a new video. Spinner brings us Galactic’s new animated video for From The Corner to the Block, featuring Juvenille and Soul Rebels Brass Band. Well played.