Tom Petty's career, like that of many musicians of his generation, was largely fired by Elvis Presley and the Beatles. In 1961 he followed the shooting of the King for the movie "Follow That Dream" near his hometown Gainesville/Florida at the invitation of his uncle who worked on the set and became his fervent admirer. Three years later the television appearance of the Beatles in the "Ed Sullivan Show" awakened in him the desire to form a band as well: "Yes, I was a big Elvis fan. But I saw something in the Beatles that I could do myself." Another three years later Petty dropped out of high school, Don Felder, who later became an Eagles member, was one of his guitar teachers.
