Gainesville celebrates rock ‘n’ roll legend Tom Petty despite last year’s controversy
Rob Ellis Peck plays with his band during the Tom Petty Festival at Heartwood Soundstage Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022.
Publication: The Independent Florida Alligator
Date: October 24, 2022
Under the colored lights and fog emitting from the stage, children ran around the venue and couples danced in the moonlight while the crowd sang along to Mudcrutch’s “Scare Easy,” kicking off a memorable weekend for Tom Petty fans.
Former members of Mudcrutch — the Gainesville-based 1970s band known for launching Tom Petty’s rise to fame — were only one part of a long lineup of musical acts playing Tom Petty Weekend, a three-day festival at Heartwood Soundstage.
Between Oct. 20 to Oct. 22, more than 3,000 Petty fans gathered to celebrate the life and music of the rock ‘n’ roll legend, who died in October 2017. Tickets ranged from free general admission passes to VIP gold and silver packages, which cost up to $125.
