Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on October 27, 2025
In celebration of what would have been Tom Petty’s 75th birthday, the GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles is hosting a special screening of Somewhere You Feel Free: The Making of Wildflowers this evening, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of Petty’s landmark album Wildflowers.
Following the screening, a special panel discussion will take place featuring the film’s director Mary Wharton, Benmont Tench of the Heartbreakers, producer George Drakoulias, Adria Petty (Tom’s daughter), and engineer Jim Scott. The conversation will be moderated by SiriusXM’s Mark Felsot.
🎥 The film is now available on Blu-ray and streaming on Peacock.
To honor the occasion, the Petty family has shared a never-before-seen performance of “Don’t Fade on Me,” filmed during rehearsals for the 1995 Dogs With Wings tour.
📺 Watch the video HERE
The clip joins a recently unearthed collection of Wildflowers tour rehearsal footage, including “Crawling Back to You” and “You Wreck Me.” These videos are available free to members of the official fan club, Tom Petty Nation — join HERE.
Two premium releases accompany the anniversary celebration:
🎧 Limited Edition One-Step Vinyl – Cut directly from the original master tapes, this audiophile pressing delivers unparalleled sound quality and depth for Wildflowers fans seeking the definitive listening experience.
📘 Commemorative Book: Wildflowers – Arriving later this fall, this bespoke book takes readers into the studio with Tom Petty, revealing handwritten lyrics, behind-the-scenes photos, and insight into his songwriting process during one of the most creative peaks of his career.
Directed by Mary Wharton, the film offers an intimate look at the creation of one of Petty’s most beloved albums, blending never-before-seen 16mm footage, rare interviews, and candid moments in the studio with producer Rick Rubin.
Somewhere You Feel Free was awarded the Best Documentary at SXSW and has since become a definitive portrait of Petty’s artistry, capturing both the spirit of collaboration and the emotional depth that defined Wildflowers.
