Tom Petty Quiz: Test Your Knowledge Of A Rock Legend

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  • 1/15 Questions

    Besides vocals, what instrument did Tom Petty play in Mudcrutch?

    • Rhythm Guitar
    • Bass
    • Lead Guitar
    • Keyboard
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Tom Petty Quiz: Test Your Knowledge Of A Rock Legend - Quiz
About This Quiz

Tom Petty was an influential American singer-songwriter and frontman of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Known for his distinctive voice and timeless rock hits like “Free Fallin’” and “American Girl,” Petty left an unforgettable mark on music history. This quiz explores his impressive career, collaborations, and the stories behind his most popular songs.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or just starting to appreciate his music, this quiz will challenge your knowledge about his albums, awards, and contributions to rock. From his early days in Gainesville, Florida, to becoming a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, see how much you know about Tom Petty’s journey. Take the Tom Petty Quiz now to celebrate the legacy of this legendary musician.

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  • 2. 

    Tom Petty has had cameos in three films. What are they?

    • Made in Heaven, The Mailman, PM

    • The Postman, FM, Loved in Heaven

    • FM, Made in Heaven, The Postman

    • AM, Made in Heaven, Postman

    Correct Answer
    A. FM, Made in Heaven, The Postman
    Explanation
    He played himself in AM, a bar character called "Stanky" in Made in Heaven, and "Bridge City Mayor" in The Postman.

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  • 3. 
    What year was this image taken? - ProProfs

    What year was this image taken?

    • 1982

    • 1985

    • 1991

    • 1989

    Correct Answer
    A. 1985
    Explanation
    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.

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  • 4. 

    Before wanting to be a musician, Tommy Petty wanted to be a...

    • Pirate

    • Cowboy

    • Astronaut

    • Roadie for Elvis

    Correct Answer
    A. Cowboy
    Explanation
    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.

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  • 5. 

    Tom Petty originally wanted to call "Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers"...

    • Tom Petty and Nightro

    • Tom Petty and the American Boys

    • Tom Petty and the King Bees

    • Tom Petty and the Gators

    Correct Answer
    A. Tom Petty and the King Bees
    Explanation
    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.

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  • 6. 

    The first band Tom Petty was in called itself...

    • The Moonshiners

    • The Smoothtalkers

    • The Epics

    • The Sundowners

    Correct Answer
    A. The Sundowners
    Explanation
    The correct answer is The Sundowners. This is the name of the first band that Tom Petty was in.

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  • 7. 

    Tom Petty's full-blood Cherokee Grandmother's name was... (She was "Pulpwood" William's second wife).

    • Katherine Avery Petty

    • Sallie Henderson Petty

    • Jane Lewis Petty

    • Mary Jane Lynch Petty

    Correct Answer
    A. Sallie Henderson Petty
    Explanation
    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.

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  • 8. 

    Tom Petty became so addicted to a video game that skin began rubbing off of his hand. What game was it?

    • Pac-Man

    • Tetris

    • Space Invaders

    • Pong

    Correct Answer
    A. Pac-Man
    Explanation
    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?"

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  • 9. 

    Who was 1979's "What Are You Doin' in My Life?" about?

    • An estranged Hotel Maid

    • An estranged Flight Attendant

    • An estranged Girlfriend of Stan Lynch's

    • An estranged Groupie

    Correct Answer
    A. An estranged Groupie
    Explanation
    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.

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  • 10. 

    Tom Petty's marriage with Jane, in which they had two daughters, lasted how many years?

    • 18

    • 20

    • 24

    • 22

    Correct Answer
    A. 22
    Explanation
    Tom Petty's marriage with Jane lasted 22 years.

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  • 11. 

    "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?

    • I woke up in between a whore and last night's cuisine

    • I woke up in between a groupie and a queen

    • I woke up in between a mattress and a limousine

    • I woke up in between marijuana and nicotine

    Correct Answer
    A. I woke up in between a mattress and a limousine
    Explanation
    I'm starting to like the other three I wrote better... ;) Haha!

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  • 12. 

    What did Rick Rubin learn from Tom Petty?

    • His attention to detail and making sure everything was in tune

    • His alliterative writing skills and attention to harmonies

    • His clarity in vocals influenced Rubin to seek more simplicity

    • His harmony and leveling certain vocal volumes to aid them

    Correct Answer
    A. His attention to detail and making sure everything was in tune
    Explanation
    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.

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  • 13. 

    Tom Petty's father, Earl Petty, served in the...

    • Army

    • Air Force

    • Navy

    • Coast Guard

    Correct Answer
    A. Air Force
    Explanation
    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.

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  • 14. 

    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?

    • Playing Guitar at Home

    • Kickboxing

    • Boating

    • Jumping on a Trampoline

    Correct Answer
    A. Kickboxing
    Explanation
    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.

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  • 15. 

    "The Best of Everything," a tender ballad from Southern Accents, was first played on tour in...

    • 1976

    • 1982

    • 1980

    • 1979

    Correct Answer
    A. 1979
    Explanation
    "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.

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Quiz Review Timeline (Updated): Jun 17, 2025 +

Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

  • Current Version
  • Jun 17, 2025
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Jun 21, 2013
    Quiz Created by
    Moriarty_Liberty
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