Howie Epstein, 47; Former Bass Player for Tom Petty

Howie Epstein, 47, a former bass player for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, died Sunday in a Santa Fe, N.M., hospital of a suspected drug overdose. Friends told investigators he had been using heroin and was taking antibiotics after suffering from flu, stomach problems and an abscess on his leg.

A respected musician and producer for more than 20 years, Epstein played on some of Bob Dylan’s albums in the 1980s and produced a Grammy-winning album for folk singer-songwriter John Prine called “The Missing Years.” He was Carlene Carter’s boyfriend for 15 years and produced two of her albums, one of which was nominated for a Grammy.

In June 2001, Epstein and Carter, the daughter of country singers Carl Smith and June Carter Cash, were arrested in Albuquerque in a stolen vehicle containing 2.9 grams of black-tar heroin and drug paraphernalia. Epstein was not charged. Carter pleaded no contest to heroin possession and was sentenced to 18 months’ probation. Now living in Nashville, she said she was devastated by Epstein’s death.

Epstein, a native of Milwaukee, also worked with Roy Orbison, Del Shannon, John Hiatt, Stevie Nicks and Eric Anderson. He first teamed up with Petty in 1982. A statement on Petty’s Web site said, “The world has lost a great talent and a kind and gentle soul.”