Tom Petty: House Fires, Hiding a Heroin Habit, and Run-Down Dreams

When a mystery arsonist set Tom Petty’s house on fire in the late 1980s, he barely escaped with his life. But there was another danger looming around the corner — a heroin addiction that drove him into a pit of isolation from his family, his fame, and his bandmates. Petty barely hoisted himself of it. The Heartbreakers’ bass player, Howie Epstein, wasn't so lucky. After the first phase of Tom Petty’s career burned to the ground, the stage was set for a descent into depression, dependency, and a triumphant turn-of-the-century return.  To see the full list of contributors, see the show notes at www.disgracelandpod.com. This episode is sponsored by by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/disgraceland and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices