Ex-Heartbreakers Drummer Among Tribute Performers at Tom Petty Fan Gathering in Petty’s Hometown

The latest edition of the annual Tom Petty Weekend tribute gathering is scheduled to take place October 10 to October 13 in the late rock legend’s hometown of Gainesville, Florida. The three-day event will feature a variety of artists performing at the Heartwood Soundstage venue in Gainesville.

This year’s lineup includes The Speaker Wars, a band co-founded by and featuring original Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers drummer Stan Lynch. Among the other acts on the bill are The War and Treaty, Shannon McAnally, and Jeff Slate.

[RELATED: Ryan Bingham, Jamey Johnson, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers Members Taking Part in 2024 “Last Waltz” Tribute Tour]

Tom Petty Weekend is considered the official festival of the Tom Petty Nation fan community. The event not only salutes Petty, but celebrates original music inspired by him. In addition to musical performances, the festival includes storytelling, Petty-themed tours of the Gainesville area, and more.

The History of Tom Petty Weekend

The first Tom Petty Weekend took place in October 2017, shortly after Petty’s sudden death at age 66. That year, more than 2,500 fans gathered at Heartwood Studios to mark Tom’s October 20 birthday and revel in their shared appreciation of his music. Since then, thousands of fans have met up in annually in Gainesville on or around Petty’s birthday for the celebration.

Tickets to the festival, and a selection of VIP passes, can be purchased now at TomPettyWeekend.com.

More About Stan Lynch

Lynch joined Petty and the Heartbreakers as a founding member in 1976. He played drums on the band’s first eight studio albums, and also contributed backing vocals to many tracks. Lynch left the group in 1994 because of personal conflicts with Petty.

Stan also became an in-demand session drummer, starting in the 1980s. In addition, collaborated with various artists as a producer and songwriter, perhaps most notably with his friend Don Henley of the Eagles.

Lynch was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with Petty and the Heartbreakers in 2002.

In 2022, Lynch filled in on drums at a few shows by Petty and the Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell’s current band The Dirty Knobs. At that time, Stan told Rolling Stone that he’d be open to playing again with all the surviving Heartbreakers at some point.

About The Speaker Wars

Lynch co-founded The Speaker Wars with Texas singer/songwriter Jon Christopher Davis. Lynch and Henley came up with the band’s name after passing by an old billboard while driving together in East Texas.

The group is planning to release its debut album soon.