By Hailey Petriccione
The University of Florida is known for swamps, Gatorade, the Orange & Blue and, more recently, its love of Tom Petty. His hit song “I Won’t Back Down” just celebrated its 5-year anniversary of being played at the end of football’s third quarter at the recent LSU matchup, marking half a decade of our newest campus tradition.
Tom Petty was born and raised in Gainesville, about 10 minutes from the campus we call home. He was only 10 years old when he met his first musical influence: Elvis Presley. Two years later, he had learned guitar and formed his first band, the Sundowners. He worked the UF grounds and played at frat functions before forming his second band, Mudcrutch.
Playing at bars and local spots throughout Gainesville gave Petty a small taste of what the music industry could offer him, so he and his band took off to Los Angeles, where Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers would soon be formed.
The Heartbreakers were established in 1975 and quickly gained international fame, collaborating with some of the most famous names in music. Petty was a major player in Johnny Cash’s American II: Unchained album, and collaborated with his close friend, Fleetwood Mac singer Stevie Nicks, to release “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around.” Nicks was so inspired by Petty and his music that she would later go on to admit that she “almost left” Fleetwood Mac to join the Heartbreakers. Later, Petty joined The Beatles’ George Harrison and Bob Dylan to create the supergroup The Traveling Wilburys.
Though a great deal of Petty’s songs are about leaving home and finding yourself, Gainesville never really left his heart. The Heartbreakers came back to their hometown both in 1993 and in 2006, both times performing at our very own Stephen O’Connell Center. The 2006 show was a 30-year celebration of the founding of the Heartbreakers, with tickets selling out in under 30 minutes. Needless to say, this city has always belonged to Tom Petty.
The death of the musical genius was an unforeseen tragedy in October of 2017, rattling both the music community and his hometown of Gainesville. Five days after his death, at the UF v. LSU matchup, “I Won’t Back Down” played in tribute for the first time at the end of the third quarter. Almost instantly, the 88,000 strangers inside The Swamp began to sing along, united as one. Not only was it an invigorating show of support for Gator football, it was a show of unity for Petty fans and mourners throughout Gainesville and beyond, all brought together by a love for the fallen rockstar.
The overwhelming response to the musical tribute became an instant Swamp tradition. This past October, the UF community celebrated its first ever “Tom Petty Day” to honor the 5-year anniversary of Petty’s passing. Tom Petty t-shirts were sold, commemorative cups were purchased and the newest generation of music lovers sang as one at the end of the third quarter.
Tom Petty’s influence throughout Gainesville is a great one, and his recent prevalence throughout UF’s campus isn’t something to be ignored. For those of us who grew up on his music, the Heartbreakers culture throughout our city is an incredible piece of music history that unites us not just as a campus, but as a community. Third quarter jam sessions are our new tradition, uniting over 90,000 people within the walls of our beloved Swamp.
Though the Gainesville legend no longer walks among the wildflowers, his music has become an immaterial part of UF culture. His songs have become symbols of solidarity, uniting old fans with new, uniting Alumni with the student section. And for that, we have Tom Petty to thank.
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