History of Tom Petty in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 26, 2025

Tom Petty was a highly influential American singer, songwriter, and guitarist, renowned as the frontman of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. He also led Mudcrutch and was part of the supergroup the Traveling Wilburys, demonstrating his versatility and collaborative spirit. Petty enjoyed a successful solo career, solidifying his status as a rock icon with a distinctive voice and songwriting style. His music blended rock, pop, and folk elements, creating a timeless sound that resonated with generations of fans.

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

Beginning on October 7, 2017, five days after Tom Petty's death, his song "I Won't Back Down" has been played at every Florida Gators football home game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium after the 3rd Quarter.

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2017: Tribute Painted on Gainesville's Southwest 34th Street Wall

In 2017, a week after Tom Petty's death, a tribute was painted on Gainesville's Southwest 34th Street Wall, proclaiming "Love you always, Gainesville No. 1 Son, Thanks, Tommy".

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 from the University of Florida

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: University of Florida's Pride of the Sunshine halftime show dedicated to Tom Petty's music

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, leading to a surge in popularity for the song, including increased YouTube views, Spotify streams, Shazam searches, and iTunes chart ranking.

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