Starting the Height Hunt
Got curious after seeing a debate in a music forum about Tom Petty’s height. Folks were arguing if he was short or average. Grabbed my laptop around 9 PM, cracked open a beer, and started digging.
Search Engine Roulette
First googled “tom petty height” – total mess. Top results showed:
- One celebrity site claiming 5’8″
- Some music blog insisting he was 5’9″
- A sketchy forum thread saying “he looked 5’7″ next to Springsteen”
Scrolled through 15+ pages feeling like I was chasing my tail. Every source contradicted the last. Got annoyed when three different biography snippets used different numbers.
Video Evidence Deep Dive
Decided to skip text and watch old interviews. Found footage of him standing with:
- The Heartbreakers (guitarist Mike Campbell’s confirmed 5’11”)
- George Harrison (known to be 5’10”)
Paused screenshots, zoomed in, and compared shoulder levels. Looked about an inch shorter than Harrison. Boots might’ve added height though – needed harder proof.
The Medical Record Clincher
Stumbled on a 1990s Rolling Stone interview where Petty joked about his physical for a tour. Reporter mentioned clinic records listing him at exactly 5 feet 9 inches. Finally! Cross-checked with his passport application leaked in a biography – same damn number. Case closed.
Wrap-Up Thoughts
Spent 3 hours confirming what should be simple. Learned celebs’ heights get messed up by photos, rumors, and platform shoes. Moral? Never trust celebrity sites – go straight to primary sources. Now I gotta email those forum guys with the evidence…
