They followed it up with Hard Promises, which became a Top Ten hit and went platinum. It included the hits “The Waiting” and “Insider,” Petty’s first duet with Stevie Nicks. In 1982, they came out with Long After Dark, their 3rd consecutive Top Ten album. Following the album’s release, bassist Ron Blair left and was replaced by Howie Epstein. In 1989, Tom Petty released his debut solo album, Full Moon Fever. The album was on the Billboard Top Ten chart and earned triple-platinum status, generating such hits as "I Won't Back Down," "Free Fallin'", and "Runnin' Down A Dream." Petty rejoined the Heartbreakers for the next album, Into the Great Wide Open, in 1991. It included songs like “Into the Great Wide Open” and “Learning to Fly.” In 1994, Petty released his second solo album, Wildflowers, which included the hits "You Don't Know How it Feels," "You Wreck Me," "It's Good to Be King" and "A Higher Place." Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers performed during the February 3 Super Bowl Half-Time Show at the University of Phoenix Stadium.

Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7018 Hollywood Blvd. and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002, their first year of eligibility.

Discography
2002 The Last DJ
1999 Echo
1996 She's the One (soundtrack)
1994 Wildflowers (solo)
1993 Greatest Hits
1991 Into the Great Wide Open
1990 Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3 (Traveling Wilburys)
1989 Full Moon Fever (solo)
1988 Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 (Traveling Wilburys)
1987 Let Me Up (I've had Enough)
1986 Pack up the Plantation: Live! (live)
1985 Southern Accents
1982 Long after Dark
1981 Hard Promises
1979 Damn the Torpedoes
1977 You're Gonna Get It!
1976 Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers