Tom Petty, Eric Clapton and the ‘Guardians’ Stand 1-2-3 on the Album Chart
If rock and roll is dead, Tom Petty and Eric Clapton didn't get the memo -- and neither did the 'Guardians of the Galaxy.'
The two iconic artists have respectively claimed the No. 1 and 2 positions on the latest Billboard Album Charts, with the vintage rock-heavy 'Guardians' soundtrack hot on their heels at No. 3. This isn't the first time rock music has recently stormed the normally pop-dominated charts; about a month ago both Judas Priest and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young both broke into the higher reaches of the weekly report.
Considering he has been releasing records for the last 38 years, 'Hypnotic Eye' is, somewhat astonishingly, Tom Petty's first No. 1 album. Although the album didn't match Petty's best sales week (that designation goes to 1994's 'Wildflowers') 'Hypnotic Eye' still moved an impressive 131,000 copies.
Sales of Petty's newest record were undoubtedly fueled by his appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live last week as well as the buzz surrounding his North American tour, which kicked off in Eugene, Or. this week.
Clapton's appearance in the runner-up position on the Billboard Charts comes courtesy of his latest effort, 'The Breeze,' which sold 61,000 units last week. The album serves as a tribute to the late J.J. Cale, a close friend of Clapton's who passed away last July. To help pay tribute to Cale, Clapton rounded up an impressive bunch of friends including Petty, Willie Nelson, Mark Knopfler, John Mayer and more.
Despite contemplating retiring from the road, Clapton clearly remains as popular as ever and insists that he will continue making new records.