History of Tom Petty in Timeline

Tom Petty (1950-2017) was a highly successful American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He achieved fame as the frontman of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, known for hits like "American Girl" and "Free Fallin'." Petty was also a member of Mudcrutch and the supergroup the Traveling Wilburys, showcasing his versatility. Beyond his band work, he had a notable solo career, further solidifying his place as a rock icon. His music is characterized by catchy melodies, relatable lyrics, and a distinct American rock sound.

Sections (1)

Full Timeline

October 7, 2017: "I Won't Back Down" played at Florida Gators game

Starting on October 7, 2017, five days after Petty's death, "I Won't Back Down" has been played at every Florida Gators football home game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium following the conclusion of the 3rd Quarter, after "We Are the Boys from Old Florida" is played by the band.

Loading Video...

2017: Gainesville Tribute

In 2017, a week after Tom Petty's death, a tribute was painted on Gainesville's Southwest 34th Street Wall, expressing love and gratitude towards him.

October 2018: Northeast Park Renamed Tom Petty Park

In October 2018, on what would have been Tom Petty's 68th birthday, the city of Gainesville renamed Northeast Park, where a young Petty had often visited, to Tom Petty Park.

December 2021: Posthumous Honorary PhD

In December 2021, the University of Florida board of trustees unanimously voted to posthumously award Tom Petty with an honorary PhD from the school.

October 2022: Tom Petty Day at the University of Florida

In October 2022, the University of Florida's Pride of the Sunshine dedicated their halftime show to Tom Petty's music as part of the university's inaugural Tom Petty Day. The band would continue their tribute performances to Petty during halftime at several other games throughout the 2022–23 football season.

December 2023: "Love Is a Long Road" featured in Grand Theft Auto VI Trailer

In December 2023, Tom Petty's song "Love Is a Long Road" was used in the first trailer for Grand Theft Auto VI. The trailer gained over 90 million YouTube views within 24 hours, boosting the song's popularity with nearly 1 million YouTube views, a 36,979% increase on Spotify, almost 250,000 searches on Shazam, and a second-place ranking on the worldwide iTunes chart.

Loading Video...