Midway through a boot-stomping version of "Honey Bee," Tom Petty proclaimed "I'm the King of Milwaukee" and glanced over at his trusted Heartbreakers Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench as the crowd at the Marcus Amphitheater screamed its appreciation.

To the uninitiated, it may have seemed like a bold and presumptive proclamation.

But, it is hard to argue the facts.

Petty and his longtime band are closing in on the all-time title as Summerfest's house band. They wore the crown well Saturday night during a headline set that kept sellout crowd on its feet.

From the opening D-chord of "You Wreck Me" through "American Girl," Petty blitzed through his catalog of sing-a-long hits like "Learnin' to Fly," and "You Don't Know How it Feels," barely pausing long enough to grab a drink from the drum riser.

For a guy who a few years ago threatened to give up touring, Petty clearly seemed to be enjoying himself. He loped around the stage, taking a few guitar solos and holding his arms out to soak in the adulation from fans, many of whom clearly were repeat customers.

The Heartbreakers, the best backing band this side of E Street, kept things simple but the music was, as always, laser pure. Campbell, the guitar wizard known as the band's "co-captain," played his usual array of tasteful solos but the genius of his playing often comes in the side riffs that add texture during quieter moments.

Tench added the requisite keyboard fills and atmospheric parts and drummer Steve Ferrone, bass player Ron Blair and multi-instrumentalist Scott Thurston (guitars, keyboards, vocals and harmonica) kept pace.

Petty has played Summerfest so often in recent years that the show offered few surprises. The crowd sang along from the recognizable intros to "Free Fallin," Even the Losers" and "I Won't Back Down" and didn't stop.

The only true surprises in the show included a take on "Sweet William," a bluesy outtake from the "Echo" sessions that Petty noted was released on an EP in Europe and a revamped "Saving Grace" from the underappreciated "Highway Companion."

Other than that, the Heartbreakers served up meat and potatoes rock from a catalog that put them in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Steve Winwood was allotted more time than most opening acts, but he's clearly earned it, just as he probably earned a few new, younger fans with sparkling musicianship.