NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN VAULT FOOTAGE OF LEGENDARY 20-SHOW FILLMORE RESIDENCY DEBUTS TODAY HERE
October 17, 2022— The love for Tom Pettyand the unifying power of his music was ubiquitous throughout Gainesville as the University of Florida celebrated its inaugural Tom Petty Day honoring the legendary hometown icon all weekend long. Leading up to the Gators’ sold-out game against LSU on Saturday night, fans eagerly lined up at the Airstream pop-up shop for the co-branded merchandise collection with many items selling out, collected commemorative memorabilia and enjoyed an interactive 360 video booth. SiriusXM’s Tom Petty Radio was also onsite, offering fans a chance to be on-air during broadcasts, while a special game trailer featuring an acoustic version of “I Won’t Back Down” from the upcoming Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers’ Live at the Fillmore (1997) album was enjoyed by all.
At the game—which was nationally broadcast on ESPN—the team’s helmets featured the iconic Heartbreakers’ logo and the sellout crowd enjoyed special Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers tribute performances by Florida’s spirit teams and an elaborate and remarkable halftime show by the marching band. All culminating in what has quickly become one of the most beloved traditions in sports, with the 90,000-plus fans in attendance joining together for a magical, chill-inducing sing along of “I Won’t Back Down” that rang loudly throughout the stadium. Watch the recap HERE.
An intimate, stripped-down version of “I Won’t Back Down” is available as part of the highly anticipated Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers’ Live at the Fillmore (1997) album – set for release November 25 on Warner Records and available now for pre-order HERE. To celebrate, previously unreleased, never-before-seen footage unearthed from the Petty estate vaults was released today as part of a short film about the band’s legendary 1997 residency at the historic San Francisco venue where they were nicknamed the “Fillmore House Band.” The captivating, 20 sold-out show residency included some of the most joyful, inspirational and prolific experiences of the band’s career. WATCH/SHARE Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers: The Fillmore House Band (Short Film) HERE.
In honor of Petty’s upcoming birthday this week (Thursday, October 20), the Tom Petty estate is donating full proceeds from the Tom Petty Day x Florida merchandise collectionto Kids Count and Family Promise, two charities giving back to underserved communities in Gainesville. Further, Tom Petty Nation fan club members attending the annual birthday gathering at Heartwood Soundstage in Gainesville will get an exclusive first listen of the upcoming Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers’ Live at the Fillmore (1997) album.
Additionally, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers’ multi-platinum Greatest Hitscollection is available now in immersive Dolby Atmos and Spatial formats. Listen to the bestselling record in Dolby Atmos HERE.
For information and album pre-order visit: www.tompetty.com
For official Tom Petty merchandise visit: https://store.tompetty.com
THE GAINESVILLE SUN
No myth: Tom Petty thought it was great to be a Florida Gator
https://www.gatorsports.com/story/football/2022/10/12/tom-petty-florida-gators-fan-gainesville/10464625002/
FLORIDA GATORS.COM
A Dreamville Tradition: Tom Petty & The Gators
https://floridagators.com/news/2022/10/13/football-tom-petty-lives-on-strong-at-uf-and-his-hometown-of-gainesville-101422.aspx
GAINESVILLE SUN
https://www.gainesville.com/story/football/2022/10/16/florida-gators-season-going-reverse-after-losing-lsu-tigers/10469871002/
ESPN
https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/34797532
https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=401403917
WRUF
https://www.wruf.com/headlines/2022/10/15/dooleys-grades-florida-vs-lsu/
WCBJ
UF celebrates first ever Tom Petty Day. The connection between the school and the legendary Gainesville rocker continues to grow
https://www.wcjb.com/2022/10/16/uf-celebrates-first-ever-tom-petty-day/
USA TODAY
Florida Gators faithful sing 'I Won't Back Down' on Tom Petty Day in The Swamp
https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/2022/10/15/florida-gators-faithful-sing-i-wont-back-down-on-tom-petty-day-in-the-swamp/
YAHOO
Florida Gators faithful sing ‘I Won’t Back Down’ on Tom Petty Day in The Swamp
https://www.yahoo.com/now/florida-gators-faithful-sing-won-015254525.html
BAY NEWS 9
"Florida honored late music icon Tom Petty, a Gainesville native, throughout the game as part of the program’s inaugural 'Tom Petty Day at The Swamp.’”
https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2022/10/16/gators-lose-fourth-straight-to-lsu-45-35
ALLIGATOR ARMY:
https://www.alligatorarmy.com/2022/10/15/23406696/lsu-florida-score-stats-recap
NOLA.COM:
"The ghost of Tom Petty galvanized the Florida Gators from the great beyond."
https://www.nola.com/sports/lsu/article_77ffa180-4cfd-11ed-a5a5-c74dea6ee8de.html
Outkick:
"It’s one of the best traditions in college football, looks and sounds amazing, and was especially important Saturday as the team was honoring Petty, who died in 2017."
https://www.outkick.com/lsu-band-ruins-tom-petty-day-in-florida-gators-qb-anthony-richardson-promptly-responds/
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED
https://www.si.com/college/florida/football/florida-gators-lsu-tigers-recap-jayden-daniels-2022
STAR TRIBUNE
https://www.startribune.com/daniels-big-day-helps-lsu-top-florida-for-4th-straight-year/600216158/
THE INDEPENDENT FLORIDA ALLIGATOR
https://www.alligator.org/article/2022/10/gators-geaux-down-again-tigers-offense-shreds-florida