Howie Epstein

Howard Norman Epstein (July 21, 1955 – February 23, 2003) was an American musician best known as the bassist in Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

Early life Epstein was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Career In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Howie played mostly rhythm guitar or mandolin. He also sang in a number of both rock and roll and country Milwaukee bands

The Heartbreakers While playing on a Del Shannon album that Tom Petty was producing (Drop Down and Get Me), Epstein impressed Petty with his ability. Consequently, when Ron Blair, who had been bassist with Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers since the band's inception in 1976, announced that he was quitting due to burnout, Epstein was recruited to replace him.

Epstein found a natural style, which he said emphasized "simplicity, playing in the pocket, getting into a steady groove. I've always considered myself a good team player and that's the way that the Heartbreakers operate. Everyone listens to what everyone else is doing musically."

In 2001, Epstein and Carter were "arrested in New Mexico with black tar heroin and a large amount of drug paraphernalia". At Petty's urging, Epstein later entered a drug rehabilitation center. MTV News reported that Epstein's death was caused by a heroin overdose. He was 47. Investigators were told Epstein had been using heroin. On the day of his death, Epstein was driven to St. Vincent Hospital in Santa Fe, New Mexico, by his girlfriend, who described him as "under distress". Epstein was taking antibiotics for an illness and had recently suffered from influenza, stomach problems, and an abscess on his leg, friends said.

Epstein was survived by his brothers, Craig and Bradley Epstein, and by his daughter, Jamie Leffler. He was interred at Second Home Cemetery in Greenfield, Wisconsin.