All Hail the Heartbreaker(s)!

No, I'm not referring to the catchy Spill Canvas tune from two years ago... Okay, maybe I am, a little... But in light of my most recent valentine-less Valentine's day (yeah, it was a week ago, but I'm bored now), I've decided to spend a little time today canonizing the ever under-appreciated heartbreaker.

What exactly is a heartbreaker? Well, Merriam-Webster defines it as 'one who causes crushing grief, anguish, or loss'. Looking back at that definition, I would say it is more than fitting for what I initially thought a heartbreaker was. However, my mind has since been changed. I see the heartbreaker as a needed and important facet of society. An unparalleled and undeniably instrumental portion of my, and everyone else's, every day life.

Heartbreakers make us laugh, make us cry, make us smile, but most importantly, they make us feel. A world without heartbreakers is a world I wouldn't want to live in. Appropriately so, I was more than delighted when they took the stage at the Super Bowl this year. Despite Tom Petty's Grizzly-Adamsesque beard, the Heartbreakers sounded just as marvelous as they did in years past, and went above and beyond, throwing out hits that everyone in attendance (along with those watching on TV) were yearning to hear. Finally the Super Bowl got it right.

And so, I say to you: ALL HAIL THE HEARTBREAKER(S):

Mike Campbell -- Possibly the most underrated lead guitarist of all time.
Ron Blair -- A master at manipulating the bass, thank GOD they brought him back to the band
Steve Ferrone -- The replacement of Stan Lynch is really Lynch 2.0, better soloist, that's for sure.
Benmont Tench -- C'mon, with a name like that, what else could he be, besides a keyboardist?
Scott Thurston -- A later addition to the band, his rhythm guitar brought a whole new sound to the Heartbreakers.

And of course: The original Heartbreaker himself:
Tom Petty -- He needs no introduction. Stop reading... NOW.