Ryan Hedgecock on Lone Justice’s brief but fierce ’80s run – and how Tom Petty and … – Guitar World

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“Geffen thought we were too young to write our own songs. Bob Dylan wrote a song, Bruce Springsteen had a song”: Ryan Hedgecock on Lone Justice’s brief but fierce ’80s run – and how Tom Petty and Mike Campbell ended up penning a song on their debut

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By
Janelle Borg
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Guitarist, Total Guitar )

Contributions from
Andrew Daly

published

18 May 2025

The promising young band were the subject of a flurry of publicity after they were signed to Geffen, but a behind-the-scenes mismatch in vision led to the outfit’s premature demise

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Ryan Hedgecock (left) and Maria McKee of the country rock band Lone Justice perform on September 18, 1985 at The Ritz in New York, New York
(Image credit: Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

Lone Justice had all the makings of an iconic group: kicking off as part of L.A.’s ’80s-era cowpunk scene, with big-voiced Maria McKee out front, not to mention Ryan Hedgecock’s formidable guitar chops and early support from Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt – all before signing to Geffen.While the band disbanded after a fairly short lifespan, the Geffen connection came with perks: like having a song written for them by Tom Petty and Mike Campbell.“The way we got involved with Petty was through [renowned producer and music industry entrepreneur] Jimmy Iovine,” Hedgecock tells Guitar World. “When we signed with Geffen, there was a whole parade of producers, and the one that was settled on was Jimmy Iovine, who brought a lot of famous friends with him.

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“He was somebody who was into doing lots of favors, but the great thing about it was that Petty had that song, Ways to Be Wicked, and he and Mike Campbell kind of took us under their wings in some ways.

Lone Justice – Ways To Be Wicked (Official Music Video) – YouTube

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However, the band’s age did play a role in Geffen’s perception of their capabilities as songwriters – signaling a mismatch in vision and direction that would lead to the band’s premature demise.“When it came time for us to put out our single, Geffen thought we were too young to write our own songs,” he relays. “Bob Dylan wrote a song for us, Petty had that song for us, and Bruce Springsteen had a song for us. We listened to all of them, but Petty came into the studio and played it for us, and hung out with us.“He was a great guy and a real solid musician. I think he had an idea… he was a lot closer to us than Jimmy Iovine. You know, Jimmy Iovine’s influence on the band really proved to be not a very good one. He really didn’t understand the band at all.”
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Get The Pick NewsletterAll the latest guitar news, interviews, lessons, reviews, deals and more, direct to your inbox!Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Despite the flurry of publicity following the band’s signing, their self-titled 1985 debut release – while critically lauded – did not meet commercial expectations.In an effort to save the band after bassist Marvin Etzioni and drummer Don Heffington’s departures, McKee and Hedgecock assembled a new band and recorded their second album, Shelter – a quasi-180 from the band’s distinct cowpunk, roots rock, and rockabilly sound, in favor of the more typical ’80s pop-rock production.According to the guitarist, this massive change in direction was all due to “Jimmy Iovine. He had no idea.”(