Flagging Down the Double E's

Flagging Down the Double E's

Where’s Tom Petty from?

1976-04-25, University Of Florida Field, Gainesville, FL

Ray Padgett
Apr 25, 2026
∙ Paid
Photo courtesy Jeff Goldstein

In 1976, Gainesville, Florida was put on the rock-and-roll map. Not because of this show—because local boy Tom Petty made his recording debut! (And before we get to Bob, take two minutes and watch one of my favorite stand-up bits ever, by comedian Pete Holmes, which I stole for today’s subject line: Where’s Tom Petty from?)

B…

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