User:Steevven1/sandbox/Heavy Petty

Heavy Petty is a Tom Petty tribute band originating in Gainesville, Florida. The band's name is a play on the phrase, "heavy petting" and the last name of the artist they pay tribute to.

Another band by the same name exists, originating in San Francisco, California, and of no relation to the Florida-based act.

History and major concerts
The band formed on December 1, 2009, in Gainesville, and played its first live show at Common Grounds (now High Dive) on Valentine's Day 2010.

Heavy Petty regularly performs at the city of Gainesville's "Free Fridays" concert series.

On New Year's Eve of 2015, they headlined the city of Gainesville's annual Downtown Countdown concert. Normally held at the Bo Diddley Community Plaza, the 2015 event was held in a downtown parking lot due to the Plaza's closure for renovations.

On October 20, 2017, the band played a tribute show in honor of Tom Petty Heartwood Soundstage in Downtown Gainesville. Petty died 18 days earlier, on October 2, 2017. The concert occurred on what would have been Petty's 67th birthday, with over 1,000 people in attendance.

The band also played a concert in Clay County, Florida, on November 11, 2017, to benefit victims of Hurricane Irma. Members of Lynyrd Skynyrd and 38 Special also performed at the event.