TOM PETTY GOES HOME

(VIDEO) Tom Petty was honored by hometown of Gainesville, Florida with the key to the city and he returned the favor by playing a hometown show…

Tom Petty returned home to Gainesville, Florida last month and was presented with the key to the city. Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan also declared the day, September 21, “Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Day,” and presented Tom and the band the University Of Florida Distinguished Achievement Award. It’s a commemoration of exceptional achievements in a chose profession, demonstrated leadership, and other achievements.

Petty repaid the city by giving a sold-out concert, which sold out in ten minutes, and in a press conference before the show he gladly thanked the city and the University of Florida.

“Well, I’d like to thank everybody and to thank the University for making us distinguished people. We’re really exctited and we’ll just sit down and talk to you now. OK?”

Petty also talked about his affinity for his home.

“Tonight really sort of caps it for us. This is something we really wanted to do is play Gainesville. This wouldn’t have made sense if we didn’t play here, and the rest are real, just, personal things. I was born here and lived here almost twenty-four years, so really every corner you turn there’s some kind of memory. It’s a a romantic place. It’s easy to write about, really. It’s a very colorful place. The characters are very drawn, and there’s a mystery about the south that I like.”

The Gainesville show was broadcast live on radio stations that day, and it has been taped for a two-hour TV special, with details to be announced. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers wrap up their tour October 28 as part of the Vegoose Festival.