Tom Petty Day '24

Wait did someone here think that Tom Petty didn’t love his hometown??

Notwithstanding the video which was an homage of his to his hometown. Have you ever watched (whoever doubts this) that 6 hour 3 part documentary of his. Free Falling” was his love song to LA his adopted home town but it was brought on (the lyrics) anyway during his homesickness for Gainesville.

He’s a true son of Gainesville and probably more than anyone that reads this board.

And if you are also that then you probably knew him and have some story about him. For my years in Gainesville for every one person I knew that lived in Gainesville as he grew up here and an awesome story or about living in and around him.

The chorus of the song Gainesville is “Gainesville is A Big Town” on the transient population of the school and he also once dreamt of going up and going to UF. I think we can all agree he thankfully won out with music instead of staying around. But as a few bands like Big White Undies, Less Than Jake, Sister Hazel and of course Tom Petty and if memory serves all of the Heartbreakers made it in Gainesville first.

shoot, I used to live next to to the drummer of LTJ at Oakwood.

But yeah bro, whoever is doubting if someone thinks anything other than he was a kid born of Gainesville and loved it, is 1000000% (and I never do that stupid take percentage thing) wrong.

Learn something before spouting when you just don’t know. It’ll help you grow. You just don’t realize you’re wrong. Not mad at ya. Just learn it. Know it. Now stop speaking about anything else against it.

I suppose his Gator guitar was just for fun. On world wide tours.

 

You’re serious? Good God.

You’re looking at the wrong place (speakers over play). I think it’s also been as long as you’ve had consensual, uhh, jk.

 

I’m sorry I can’t stop posting with this craziness. Ok, this song wasn’t a #1 or even a top 10 it was #12 and his first solo album in 1989 so yeah you can appreciate that right? And even if not, do you know some songs that were not even charter but now are ubiquitous?

Every song below never made it top #40. Not one.

“All My Loving” - The Beatles
“Highway to Hell” - Kiss
“Changes” - David Bowie
“Should I Stay or Should I Go” - The Clash
“Don’t Stop Me Now” - Queen
“Tiny Dancer” - Elton John
“Joleen” - Dolly Parton
“Comfortably Numb” - Pink Floyd
“Rebel Yell” - Billy Idol
“Landslide” - Fleetwood Mac
“It’s the End of the World” - REM
“Jeremy” - Pearl Jam








I could add several more and I should also add that the 1989 hit is still as prevalent, as it was when it was a lowly #12 that recharted in 2001 because of 9/11. It’s a fight song and the original inspiration was when his moms Gainesville home burned all the way down “I Won’t Back Down” which I think is a perfect anthem and homage for the teams that grace our field. Traditions happen because of a lifetime, not because of a day. I get chills every time I hear the song because it’s tied to one of my favorite performers, who is being honored in my sports church. I’ve certainly seen prayed the most home (oh the appendages I owe The Lord).

Oh and all those songs above including a hit by the Beatles, a big hit. Not one of those songs were even in the top 40. Not one. Oh and by the way, Grateful Dead, had one single that charted at #1 and that’s “Touch of Grey”.

Also, contrary to your GOOFY comment about how Petty didn’t appreciate the love of his city they have done so much for him over his life. Honary degree to UF, key to the city and much more and he played here on every tour that came to the SE.

Sorry for posting so much and long but I’ve been sparked by this talk.

WATB with the WBD 1-2 are awesome traditions and I’ve literally heard Noles and friends of other teams tear up and also see why we (most of) get pumped. And I don’t think it’s “the young kids” that were demanding it. He’s one of the legends up there with Beatles and Stones as far as legends go. Non-generational.

This was at the 30th anniversary in Gainesville. Great show. This was Mike Campbell playing is oft used Alligator Guitar. It shows up at the solo.

 

Like a lot of kids that grow up in Gainesville, I think there was a love/hate that TP had.

It was a big deal when he played his first gig in GNV in years when I was a student. Can’t remember the exact year. 91 or 92 I think. I didn’t go, but saw him the previous tour in Jax.

 

I would agree that the fans don’t back down in the fourth quarter, but I’m not so sure about the players.

 

I saw him in San Diego in I think it was 89. He had a treehouse on stage that he came out of.

 

I was once in early discussions with Ken Block (Sister Hazel) to do the illustrations for a kids book he wanted to write. He liked the style of my work and thought it would work well. It never came to fruition, but he is a great dude.

 

I was a promoter and lover in Gainesville during their ascension and indeed, he was one of the good guys. Nice bro!

 

Hope your blood pressure has come back down…pretty goofy to be triggered by lack of reading comprehension. Not sure where the idea of TP not being loved by Gainesville was ever even hinted at. Tom Petty not loving Gainesville and/or UF wasn’t even inferred, much less written. UF not honoring TP with an honorary degree until 5 years after his death was brought up. Seems like that 30th anniversary show would have been a great opportunity. Not mad at ya, you just don’t realize you’re wrong.


The tradition I’m most looking forward to is the visiting fans leaving during WATB because they are down 20plus

 

Yep, have told this story before but a good friend of mine is Bernie Leadon's little brother. When TP's dad kicked him out of the house he stayed with the Leadon's and they even paid to get him some needed dental work.

 

We have a “Richard” siting

 

The town he spurned celebrates him every year.

 

How so? Most folks leave Gainesville for career ambition. That would be just about everyone in a major college town.

 

Those people don’t matter.

 

What a dumb post...where do you live?

 

Saying I like it or I don’t like it is one thing, everyone is entitled to an opinion (and I’m entitled to make fun of it) but this is just a ridiculous take. Petty isn’t coaching the Gators, nor is he the AD or the athletic association and has exactly zero to do with the problems we see before us. The way we play Tom Petty and WATB may be the only reason some people stick around until the beginning on the fourth quarter.

 

I also wish WATB was featured more often, but I don't mind WBD being played - like others mentioned, I just hate all the home losses since that started happening, it makes us look kind of ridiculous singing it when the Gators are getting mud stomped.

definitely agree with you about that song not being close to Petty's top 10 though.

 

No. It's a song of defiance and works even when you're up against the firing squad. No matter the score it's a great shared experience jut like We Are The Boys, and a nice counterpoint.