Good morning, musicologists, and welcome to Friday here in The Mermaid Lounge! We kick it off in grand style today with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers’ legendary ’97 Fillmore redsidency!

Here’s your Finally Friday lineup:

9:00 a.m. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Live at The Fillmore West, San Francisco, CA, January 10-February 7, 1997

What a fantastic way to start out the day! To a man, The Heartbreakers believed this was the pinnacle of their career. It was a legendary 20-night residency at one of the most iconic music venues in the world where they threw away the script and every night was a new show. It showcased the brilliance and road resilience of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers.

2:00 p.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of Irma Thomas

A contemporary of both Aretha Franklin and Etta James, somehow Irma Thomas kind of fell through the cracks and never reached the heights she should have. That is, of course, except in New Orleans, where she is still known as ‘The Soul Queen of New Orleans.’ Indeed, she is.

6:00 p.m. Here Comes The Night: Various Artists

It’s a rarity, as we give you an EP to take you late into the evening. We may be doing more of this come fall so that we can spread the wealth to our overseas listeners. Tonight, you’ll hear Warren Zevon, the J. Geils Band, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Them, The Beatles, Van Morrison, Patti Smith, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bruce Springsteen, The Kinks, Electric Prunes, Phoebe Snow, Joe Walsh, The Eagles, The Animals, The Rolling Stones, The Traveling Wilburys, Steve Winwood, Sam Cooke, Jimmy Cliff, Bonnie Raitt, Poco, Emmylou Harris, and more!

Once again, before, in between, and after our programming we deliver our big, wide Open Stream without any commercial interruption. And did I mention we’re totally free? Just hit the button below at any time to see for yourselves!