Tom Petty Plans New Album, Tour

[Sweet Jane 61]

Tom Petty plans to release a new, solo album this June, titled Highway Companion. He told Billboard that for the new material, "I'm reaching there to try and find a theme. It's just a really nice collection of songs. I think it does have an underlying theme of time and what it does to you."

Petty and his band The Heartbreakers are expected to hit the road in support of the new record, with tour dates slated in June and July, and another leg of touring in September and October. Petty's manager Tony Dimitriades told Billboard, "What we're trying to do is a bunch of shows with different artists that either we like or think would be an interesting show. One of the main things we're doing is a bunch of shows with Pearl Jam. We're also talking to John Mayer about doing some dates, as well as The Strokes." He cryptically added, "And maybe in the occasional show there will be a friend [to] come on the road with us for a few days."

Additionally, director Peter Bogdonavich is filming Petty for a new documentary, due out by year's end. Highway Companion is tentatively expected to be released via Rick Rubin's American Recordings.