Dylan and Petty blow through capital

BOB DYLAN and Tom Petty’s clamorous practice session before their 1986 show at Wellington’s Athletic Park almost cost the pair the gig.

It was the first time of playing together for Dylan, Petty and his Heartbreakers. They drew the ire of residents after a ‘‘long and loud’’ warmup two nights before the February 5 show, resulting in the gig’s promoters being threatened with cancellation by Wellington City Council, The Evening Post reported.

But the show went ahead, with Post reviewer Anne Hogan saying that, despite a drug overdose and a handful of arrests, it was one of the most ‘‘relaxed, casual shows the park has seen . . . like a couple of friends having a jam’’.

The only sharp words in Hogan’s breezy review were reserved for ‘‘Saint’’ Bob’s fading features and dirty demeanour. ‘‘He is hitting 45 now and it’s starting to show. And it seems sad that he appears so paranoid, miserable and incapable of a smile.’’

Rolling Stone critic Anthony DeCurtis, who covered the Australasian tour for the magazine, was not quite as impressed by the music, or the 20,000 fans. ‘‘The 21⁄2-hour set didn’t catch fire [for the crowd] until Petty lit the blaze three-quarters of the way through with an extended version of Refugee.’’

It seems the real show happened at the after-party. ‘‘Dylan and the gang repaired to the Parkroyal Hotel, where, shortly after midnight, Heartbreakers keyboardist Benmont Tench commandeered the piano at the hotel bar for an impromptu songfest that featured Dylan, Petty, Stevie Nicks (who had been backstage at the gig) and backup singer Debra Byrd.’’