The Tom Petty Quiz
Ever wonder how much you REALLY know about Tom Petty? If you Google the answers, you're only cheating yourself. Haha. 15 Questions!
- 1.
Besides vocals, what instrument did Tom Petty play in Mudcrutch?
- A.
Rhythm Guitar
- B.
Bass
- C.
Lead Guitar
- D.
Keyboard
Correct Answer
B. BassExplanation
His first instrument was guitar, but because no one wanted to play bass, he decided to play.Rate this question:
-
- 2.
Tom Petty's full-blood Cherokee Grandmother's name was... (She was "Pulpwood" William's second wife).
- A.
Katherine Avery Petty
- B.
Sallie Henderson Petty
- C.
Jane Lewis Petty
- D.
Mary Jane Lynch Petty
Correct Answer
B. Sallie Henderson PettyExplanation
Mary Jane Lynch Petty was William "Pulpwood" Petty's first wife. She died from childbirth complications.
They married on 15 Mar 1902 and she died in 1918. He remarried Sallie a few years later who was a widow as well. They, including all of their step-children and biological children (including Earl Petty, Tom's father) moved to from Georgia to northern Florida.Rate this question:
-
- 3.
Tom Petty has had cameos in three films. What are they?
- A.
Made in Heaven, The Mailman, PM
- B.
The Postman, FM, Loved in Heaven
- C.
FM, Made in Heaven, The Postman
- D.
AM, Made in Heaven, Postman
Correct Answer
C. FM, Made in Heaven, The PostmanExplanation
He played himself in AM, a bar character called "Stanky" in Made in Heaven, and "Bridge City Mayor" in The Postman.Rate this question:
-
- 4.
Tom Petty's father, Earl Petty, served in the...
- A.
Army
- B.
Air Force
- C.
Navy
- D.
Coast Guard
Correct Answer
B. Air ForceExplanation
Tom Petty's father, Earl Petty, served in the Air Force. This can be inferred from the fact that the correct answer is Air Force.Rate this question:
-
- 5.
Tom Petty broke his left hand during the recording of Southern Accents. The bones in his hand were broken nearly to a powder. After surgery, it was nine months before he found out if he could play guitar again. Around a decade later, he broke his left arm. What was he doing when he broke his left arm?
- A.
Playing Guitar at Home
- B.
Kickboxing
- C.
Boating
- D.
Jumping on a Trampoline
Correct Answer
B. KickboxingExplanation
Tom Petty broke his left arm while kickboxing. This event occurred approximately ten years after he had broken his left hand during the recording of Southern Accents.Rate this question:
-
- 6.
The first band Tom Petty was in called itself...
- A.
The Moonshiners
- B.
The Smoothtalkers
- C.
The Epics
- D.
The Sundowners
Correct Answer
D. The SundownersExplanation
The correct answer is The Sundowners. This is the name of the first band that Tom Petty was in.Rate this question:
-
- 7.
What year was this image taken?
- A.
1982
- B.
1985
- C.
1991
- D.
1989
Correct Answer
B. 1985Explanation
This image is from the day of the 1985 performance on the roof of the Don CeSar Hotel in Florida where the public would first learn if he could still play guitar after his broken and then surgically repaired hand had healed.Rate this question:
-
- 8.
Before wanting to be a musician, Tommy Petty wanted to be a...
- A.
Pirate
- B.
Cowboy
- C.
Astronaut
- D.
Roadie for Elvis
Correct Answer
B. CowboyExplanation
Tommy Petty's desire to be a musician suggests a fascination with the world of music and performance. The option of being a roadie for Elvis aligns with this interest, as it would allow him to be involved in the music industry and work closely with a renowned musician. However, the option of being a cowboy stands out as a contrasting choice. It implies a longing for adventure, independence, and a connection to the outdoors. This desire to be a cowboy could stem from a romanticized view of the Wild West and a yearning for a rugged, free-spirited lifestyle.Rate this question:
-
- 9.
"The Best of Everything," a tender ballad from Southern Accents, was first played on tour in...
- A.
1976
- B.
1982
- C.
1980
- D.
1979
Correct Answer
D. 1979Explanation
"The Best of Everything" is a tender ballad from the album Southern Accents, which was released in 1985. The song was not played on tour until after the release of the album, so it is unlikely that it was first played in 1976, 1982, or 1980. Therefore, the correct answer is 1979.Rate this question:
-
- 10.
What did Rick Rubin learn from Tom Petty?
- A.
His attention to detail and making sure everything was in tune
- B.
His alliterative writing skills and attention to harmonies
- C.
His clarity in vocals influenced Rubin to seek more simplicity
- D.
His harmony and leveling certain vocal volumes to aid them
Correct Answer
A. His attention to detail and making sure everything was in tuneExplanation
Rick Rubin learned from Tom Petty the importance of attention to detail and ensuring that everything was in tune. This suggests that Tom Petty's meticulous approach to music production and his focus on achieving musical precision had a significant impact on Rick Rubin's own work.Rate this question:
-
- 11.
Tom Petty's marriage with Jane, in which they had two daughters, lasted how many years?
- A.
18
- B.
20
- C.
24
- D.
22
Correct Answer
D. 22Explanation
Tom Petty's marriage with Jane lasted 22 years.Rate this question:
-
- 12.
"You don't know how it feels You don't know how it feels to be me People come, people go Some grow young, some grow cold I woke up in between A memory and a dream..." is how the song was recorded for the single, but what does he commonly change them to?
- A.
I woke up in between a whore and last night's cuisine
- B.
I woke up in between a groupie and a queen
- C.
I woke up in between a mattress and a limousine
- D.
I woke up in between marijuana and nicotine
Correct Answer
C. I woke up in between a mattress and a limousineExplanation
I'm starting to like the other three I wrote better... ;) Haha!Rate this question:
-
- 13.
Tom Petty originally wanted to call "Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers"...
- A.
Tom Petty and Nightro
- B.
Tom Petty and the American Boys
- C.
Tom Petty and the King Bees
- D.
Tom Petty and the Gators
Correct Answer
C. Tom Petty and the King BeesExplanation
Tom Petty originally wanted to call his band "Tom Petty and the King Bees". This suggests that the correct answer is the name that the band was initially intended to have.Rate this question:
-
- 14.
Tom Petty became so addicted to a video game that skin began rubbing off of his hand. What game was it?
- A.
Pac-Man
- B.
Tetris
- C.
Space Invaders
- D.
Pong
Correct Answer
A. Pac-ManExplanation
PETTY: We're bored. I've got a home system, and I've gotten real addicted. It frightens me. I feel weird after 30 minutes of smashing electronic rocks. I used to have a Pac-Man game at my house. I played it until my hand got [screwed] up and the skin rubbed off. I finally went, "What have I been doing eating dots for hours?"Rate this question:
-
- 15.
Who was 1979's "What Are You Doin' in My Life?" about?
- A.
An estranged Hotel Maid
- B.
An estranged Flight Attendant
- C.
An estranged Girlfriend of Stan Lynch's
- D.
An estranged Groupie
Correct Answer
D. An estranged GroupieExplanation
The correct answer is "An estranged Groupie." The song "What Are You Doin' in My Life?" from 1979 is about an estranged groupie. This suggests that the song is about a fan or admirer who had a close relationship with the artist but has now become distant or separated from them. The lyrics likely explore the emotions and experiences of this estranged groupie, possibly reflecting on the complexities and challenges of such a relationship.Rate this question:
-
Back to top