Northeast Park, at 400 NE 16th Ave., will be renamed Tom Petty Park at a 1:30 p.m. ceremony on Oct. 20, Tom Petty’s birthday, said Steve Phillips, the city’s director of parks, recreation and cultural affairs.
That park is especially meaningful for the Petty family, Bruce Petty said, since the family grew up one street over on Sixth Terrace.
“It’s an incredible honor,” Bruce Petty said. “That park was a place that was kind of a sanctuary for us — a place to go just to get away.”
Bruce Petty and Tom Petty’s daughter, Adria, will attend the 30- to 45-minute event, Phillips said. A temporary sign for the park will also be unveiled. Gainesville Sun
Tom Petty Weekend is planned in Gainesville for October 18-21 with the following events:
The Tom Petty Weekend Heartwood Soundstage FB event Oct. 18-20 will celebrate the birthday of Gainesville's Number 1 Son and features a dozen bands, all things Petty and some very special guests.Tom Petty Birthday Bash at Depot Park Oct. 19, 5pm and Oct. 20, 12pm is a free festival where everyone is welcome to celebrate.
Several of the WUFT interviews are listed below:
- Music Everywhere: The Rock& Roll Roots of a Southern Town by Marty Jourard: WUFT info and interview
https://www.wuft.org/news/2017/02/21/gainesville-music-history-book-wins-florida-book-award/
- Gainesville Punk: A History of Bands & Music by Matt Walker: WUFT info and interview
https://www.wuft.org/news/2016/11/18/gainesville-punk-a-history-of-bands-music/
- Florida Soul by John Capouya: WUFT info and interview
https://www.wuft.org/news/2017/11/17/gainesvilles-soul-music-history-highlighted-in-new-book/
The University of Florida has established a tradition of singing Won't Back Down and you can watch a clip here and a song from his 2006 Gainesville concert is featured below.
Originally Posted by LindaD on September 30, 2018