Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers pick up the key to Gainesville, Fla.
By  Tirdad Derakhshani
The Philadelphia Inquirer - September 24, 2006

Rocker-hero Tom Petty and his Heartbreakers returned to their hometown of Gainesville, Fla., for a concert Thursday on the University of Florida campus and were showered with love not only by their fans but also by the city itself. Gainesville's mayor, Pegeen Hanrahan, presented the 55-year-old singer and each member of his homegrown band with a key to the city, proclaiming Sept. 21 as Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers Day. Tom's bandmates are also local: Guitarist Mike Campbell and keyboardist Benmont Tench were born and raised in and around Gainesville, and bassist Ron Blair lived in the area for many years.

"It's a lot nicer than the one we got in Chicago," Petty quipped while holding his key.

"Every corner you turn is some kind of memory," he said of his visit.