GAINESVILLE, FL (352today.com) – This weekend, many fans and supporters of Tom Petty are joining together to remember him on what would be his 73rd birthday.

The weekend kicked off Thursday evening with VIP ticketholders getting the opportunity to see some of the weekend’s top performers live while enjoying the “Among the Wildflowers” exhibit at the Cade Museum.

Friday afternoon, on Tom Petty’s actual birthday, fans got to chance to hear all of the memories of “TP” shared by some of Tom’s dearest friends and fellow musicians.

Charlie Souza started it off reminiscing about the moment when he was in Gainesville. He said Tom was about 13 years old and Tom came to see him play. Since then, the rest was history.

Charlie Souza describes Tom and what he loved most about him and his music. Courtesy: Ryann Dickerson/352today

“All of the wonderful music that he’s written. To me, he’s our Florida Beatle. And, he always will be,” said Souza. “Knowing him from the beginning… when I hear every single note of every single song, there’s some depth. There’s some soul. We all feel it.”

Afterwards, Paul Zollo, a musician and journalist recollected some of his favorite memories of Tom. He says he was always so amazed at the ‘passion and greatness’ Tom managed to have throughout his career.

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“I think of Tom’s songs all the time, you know they’re great songs, they really mean so much to me,” added Zollo.

A highlight of the evening was Rod Guynn, Tom’s first cousin, recalling a time in the 1960s when he and Tom went down to Ocala on Silver Springs Boulevard and got the opportunity to meet Elvis Presley. Guynn said Tom returned to Gainesville excited to tell his family he got to shake Elvis’ hand.

Tom Petty’s first cousin Rod Guynn shares childhood memories about Tom’s musical influences with the crowd. Courtesy: Ryann Dickerson/352today

The next time they played an Elvis record, Guynn says Tom stated, “I want to be up there. I want to be on stage. I want to be like Elvis.” Tom was 10.

Jeff Slate performed “I Won’t Back Down” which became America’s unofficial anthem after the September 11 attacks and a reflection of Tom Petty’s life.

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Before the outdoor performances got underway, Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward shared a memory from 1979 when Ward was going through the emotions of a typical middle schooler. He says shortly after a Tom Petty song came on the radio; it instantly gave him motivation. That day he also learned that he and Petty both went to Howard Bishop Middle School.

Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward shares how Tom Petty’s music influenced him when he was in middle school. Courtesy: Ryann Dickerson/352today

“If that guy can get through middle school and if he can go to this same middle school and be on the radio with that awesome rock ‘n’ roll band and have that really cool guitar that I saw on the album cover, then maybe there’s some hope for me too,” shared Ward.

Ward says whether you’ve been a fan since the 80s or just learned about Petty, the effect is still the same.

“He and the Heartbreakers are the kind of band that made personal connections, that made you feel like you matter because they share your stories,” added Ward.

Keith Eveland, founder of Tom Petty Nation, kicked off the live music for the crowd followed by a long list of performers.

Keith Eveland kicked off Friday’s performances. Concerts continue Saturday and Sunday. Courtesy: Ryann Dickerson/352today

It’s not too late to get in on all of the action. There are still two more days of live music and fun. A day pass costs $25. Click here to learn more.