History of Tom Petty in Timeline

Tom Petty was a highly successful American singer, songwriter, and musician best known as the frontman of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. He also led the band Mudcrutch and was a member of the supergroup the Traveling Wilburys. Beyond his band affiliations, Petty enjoyed a significant solo career. His work is characterized by heartland rock sound and relatable lyrics, contributing to a lasting legacy in American rock music.

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Full Timeline

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

On October 7, 2017, five days after Tom Petty's death, his song 'I Won't Back Down' began being played at every Florida Gators football home game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium after the 3rd Quarter, following the song 'We Are The Boys From Old Florida'.

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2017: Gainesville Tribute

In 2017, a week after Tom Petty's death, a tribute was painted on Gainesville's Southwest 34th Street Wall, stating "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 the former Northeast Park, a park he often visited as a child, to Tom Petty Park in his honor.

December 2021: Posthumous Honorary PhD Awarded

In December 2021, the University of Florida board of trustees unanimously voted to posthumously award Tom Petty 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. The band continued to tribute their performances to Tom Petty during halftime in 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, which gained over 90 million YouTube views within the first 24 hours. This led to a significant increase in the song's popularity.

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