History of Tom Petty in Timeline

Tom Petty was a highly influential American singer, songwriter, and guitarist, best known as the frontman for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. His career spanned decades, producing numerous hit songs and albums characterized by his distinctive voice and heartland rock sound. Petty was also a member of Mudcrutch and the Traveling Wilburys, demonstrating his versatility and collaborative spirit. As a solo artist, he achieved significant success, solidifying his place as a rock icon. His music continues to resonate with audiences worldwide, ensuring his legacy as one of rock's most beloved figures.

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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 with the text "Love you always, Gainesville No. 1 Son, Thanks, Tommy".

October 2018: Gainesville's Northeast Park renamed Tom Petty Park

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

December 2021: Posthumous Honorary PhD Awarded by 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

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.

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 featured in the first trailer for the video game Grand Theft Auto VI. The trailer received over 90 million YouTube views within 24 hours, leading to a surge in popularity for the song, including nearly 1 million YouTube views, a 36,979% increase on Spotify, almost 250,000 searches on Shazam, and ranking second on the worldwide iTunes chart.

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