Famous Entities From, In, and Around Hogtown

(Or: A great big glob of super-stars)

Musicians

• 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.