Florida has its share of notable and legendary musicians, many from our own neck of the woods. Think Ray Charles, the Allman Brothers and — of course — Lynyrd Skynyrd. But few seem to hold a warmer spot in the hearts of local music fans than Gainesville’s own, Tom Petty.
Petty, who died in 2017, seemed to be an unlikely rock star, described occasionally as not terribly good-looking and quiet, with a nasal, wavery voice. Over more than four decades in the industry, however, he left behind a remarkable catalog of hits, one of which (“I Won’t Back Down”) has become an official part of most University of Florida sporting events since his death.
So it may come as no surprise that after becoming a big star, one of his earliest home purchases was not a glamour spot like Miami Beach; instead, Petty and his first wife, Jane Benyo Petty (a childhood sweetheart, also from Gainesville), chose a quiet beach neighborhood in St. Augustine…