Howie Epstein facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Howie Epstein |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Howard Norman Epstein |
| Born | July 21, 1955 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Died | February 23, 2003 (aged 47) Santa Fe, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Occupations | Musician, songwriter, producer |
| Instruments | Bass guitar, vocals, guitar, mandolin |
| Associated acts | Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Del Shannon, Stevie Nicks, Carlene Carter |
Howard Norman Epstein (July 21, 1955 – February 23, 2003) was an American musician. He was best known as the talented bassist for the famous band Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
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Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Howie Epstein was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He grew up in a family that loved music. His father, Sam, was a record producer. He worked with many rock and roll and soul groups in the 1950s and 1960s. Howie graduated from Nicolet High School in Glendale, Wisconsin.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Howie played in several bands in Milwaukee. He mostly played rhythm guitar or mandolin and sang. These bands played rock and roll and country music. Some of his bands included MHB Experience, Egz, and The Craze.
Howie felt he needed to explore more musical opportunities. He decided to move to Los Angeles, California. There, he joined a new band formed by singer-songwriter John Hiatt. Howie played bass with Hiatt for two years. They recorded two albums together.
Joining The Heartbreakers
Howie Epstein impressed Tom Petty while working on an album for Del Shannon. Tom Petty was producing that album. When Ron Blair, the original bassist for Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, decided to leave the band, Howie was chosen to replace him. Howie joined the band in 1982.
Howie had a natural style of playing bass. He focused on "simplicity, playing in the pocket, getting into a steady groove." He believed in being a good team player. This fit perfectly with how The Heartbreakers worked together. Everyone in the band listened to each other's music.
Howie made his first live performance with The Heartbreakers on September 1, 1982. This show was in Santa Cruz, California. It was part of the tour for their album, Long After Dark.
Tom Petty once spoke about Howie's support during a concert. He said Howie sang along to help him when he was tired. Petty felt this showed what a great band was all about. It meant they supported each other.
Howie Epstein left The Heartbreakers in 2002. Ron Blair returned to play bass for the band. Howie's final appearance with The Heartbreakers was in March 2002. This was when the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Musical Collaborations and Production
Howie Epstein played bass on many recordings for other artists. These included Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Stevie Nicks, and Roy Orbison. He also worked with Carlene Carter, John Prine, and Linda Ronstadt.
Howie was also known as a songwriter and a producer. He produced two albums for John Prine. One of these, The Missing Years (1991), won a Grammy Award. It won for Best Contemporary Folk Recording. This was a big achievement for Howie.
Later Life and Passing
Howie Epstein worked closely with Carlene Carter. She is the daughter of country music stars June Carter Cash and Carl Smith. Howie produced Carlene Carter's successful album I Fell in Love (1990). He also helped write the title song.
Howie Epstein passed away on February 23, 2003. He was 47 years old. He was survived by his brothers, Craig and Bradley. He also had a daughter named Jamie Leffler. Howie was buried at Second Home Cemetery in Greenfield, Wisconsin.
