Celebrities from Gainesville Florida

Famous Entities From, In, and Around Hogtown
(Or: A great big glob of super-stars)
Gainesville has had its share of famous people originate or gravitate here. Presented is a simple list of the more

Musicians
Gainesville has a very active local music scene. During the 80's things were sorta dead but for the past 6-8 years, many local bands have formed that have gained major followings throughout Florida.
Tom Petty - Before he became famous, Tom Petty used to live in Gainesville, playing at various local clubs and bars. He managed to get a major record contract and blazed to fame.
Bo Diddley - Bo lived in Gainesville proper for a long time, but he moved to another part of Florida some years ago. He still comes back to Hogtown regularly to play concerts and benefits, including his anti-drug concerts at area schools. He also did a commercial for a local used-auto store, and a few promo bits for the defunct TV-69. Bo Diddley is a literal rock'n'roll legend and has been inducted to the Rock Hall of Fame.
Sister Hazel - A local band that's hit the big-time. There have been literally dozens upon dozens of local bands in the past 10 years in Gainesville. Most have risen to mild stardom before fading out or breaking up.
Less Than Jake - Another local band that's popularity is picking up beyond Gainesville. They're new song "We're All Dudes" can be heard in the TV ads for the new movie "Good Burger".
Subrosa - The re-formation of a band originally called For Squirrels that broke up when several of the band members died in a car accident in 1995. Subrosa has picked up where For Squirrels left off in terms of the rise to stardom.
Authors
Harry Crews - Famous modern literary author, who has resided in Gainesville, FL for many years now. He teaches some English classes at UF.
True story: I used to work at convenience store. One day in December, Harry Crews stopped by the store. He was wearing an all-black sweat-suit, and had his glasses on a thin chain, hanging around his neck. He bought a quart of eggnog (for a friend). I can legitimately say that Mr. Crews is far less intimidating in person than in his publicity photos.
Martin Caidin - Famous Science Fiction author, who's novel "Cyborg" was the inspiration for the 70's TV series "The Six-Million Dollar Man". Martin has written a lot of excellent novels. One book, "Prison Ship", prominantly features North-Central Florida as the setting for the events, and even has some characters going to a concert in Gainesville!
Joe Haldeman - Another famous Science Fiction author, probably most well known for his series "The Forever War". He moved to Gainesville 6+ years ago and splits his residing between here and Massachusetts, where he does some teaching at MIT.


Jeff The Riffer aka Jeff Mercer / riffer@afn.org