Tom Petty played in a Gainesville band called Mudcrutch in the early 1970's. Some of the band lived on a "farm" by the same name. It was located in some woods off North 13th Street near Dub's. I remember going to a concert there sometime in the Spring-Summer of 1970, not long after I got back from Vietnam and out of the Army. The music scene in Gainesville had changed alot since I had departed in January of '67. There were lots of long haired freaks, dope and even a bare breasted girl lounging high in a tree above the concert. This was definately not the Hogtown I once knew. A few years later, while on assignment for The Gainesville Sun, I photogaphed Petty and some other musicians rehearsing at the home of Judge Beaumont Tench. At the time I wasn't too impressed with what I was hearing. I figured they were just another bunch of rock and roll wannabees. Go figure. Now he's famous and I'm typing this note.

Yes Bryan, you are right. The music scene in G-ville changed after you came back from the Service. The best band before you left G-Ville was "The Uniques" and/or "The Big Beats" and/or "The Rare Breed" and/or "The Playboys". Those were great bands at the time. They are still great bands and a CD of The Rare Breed is available from Gear Fab Records. !!!!