Born
9 October 1948, Heidelberg, Germany, but raised in Los Angeles, California,
USA, from the age of three. Browne was introduced to folk music while
in his teens and began writing songs at the instigation of two high-school
friends, Greg Copeland and Steve Noonan. The youngsters frequented the
Paradox club, a favoured haunt of traditional musicians, where Jackson
was introduced to the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. He joined the group in February
1966, only to leave within six months, but some of his early compositions
appeared on their subsequent albums. An ensuing contract with Nina Music,
the publishing arm of Elektra Records, resulted in several of Browne's
songs being recorded by the label's acts, including Tom Rush and the aforementioned
Noonan. Browne had, meanwhile, ventured to New York, where he accompanied
singer Nico during her engagement at the Dom, a club owned by Andy Warhol.
The singer's Chelsea Girl set featured three Browne originals, but their
relationship quickly soured and the young musician retreated to California.
Ned Doheney and Jack Wilce, were later abandoned. Undeterred, Browne continued
to frequent the Los Angeles clubs and music fraternity until a demo tape
resulted in a recording contract with the newly established Asylum Records.
Jackson Browne (aka Saturate Before Using ) confirmed that the artist's
potential had not withered during earlier prevarications. David Crosby
added sterling support to a set including the composer's own readings
of "Jamaica Say You Will" and "Rock Me On The Water", previously covered
by the Byrds and Brewer And Shipley, respectively, and "Doctor My Eyes",
an up-tempo performance that reached the US Top 10, but became an even
bigger hit in the hands of the Jackson Five. Browne also drew plaudits
for "Take It Easy", which he wrote with Glenn Frey during aspell when
they shared an apartment and penury. The song was a major success for
the latter's group, the Eagles, and in turn inspired several subsequent
collaborations including "Nightingale", "Doolin' Dalton" and "James Dean".
Browne's own version of "Take It Easy" appeared on For Everyman, which
also featured "These Days", one of the singer's most popular early songs.
The
album introduced a long-standing relationship with multi-instrumentalist
David Lindley, but although the punchy "Redneck Friend" became a regional
hit, the set was not a commercial success.
Late For The Sky was an altogether stronger collection, on which Browne ceased relying on older material and in its place offered a more contemporary perspective.Extensive touring helped to bring the artist a much wider audience and in 1975 he produced Warren Zevon's debut album for Asylum, infusing a measure of consistency to the performer's jaundiced wit and delivery. These facets contrasted with Browne's own, rather languid approach, which he attempted to reverse by employing producer Jon Landau for The Pretender. The resultant sense of contrast enhanced much of the material, including "Here Come Those Tears Again" and the anthemic title track. One of the benchmarks of 70s American rock, this homage to blue-collar values became a staple part of AOR radio, while its poignancy was enhanced by the suicide of Browne's wife, Phyllis, in March 1976. The Pretender earned a gold disc and the singer's new found commercial appeal was emphasized with the live album Running On Empty. However, Browne did not meekly repeat the formula of its predecessor and in place of its homogeneous sheen was a set recorded at different locations during a tour. The album included material written by Danny O'Keefe and Danny Kortchmar, as well as an affectionate reading of "Stay", originally recorded by Maurice Williams And The Zodiacs. This performance reached number 20 in the USA, but fared better in the UK, climbing to number 12 and providing the singer with his only British hit to date.
Despite its rough edges, Running On Empty became the singer's most popular release, closing a particular chapter in his career.During the late 70s Browne pursued a heightened political profile through his efforts on behalf of the anti-nuclear lobby. In partnership with Graham Nash and Bonnie Raitt he organized several cross-country benefits culminating in a series of all-star concerts at New York's Madison Square Garden. The best of these were later compiled on No Nukes. It was 1980 before Browne completed a new studio album, but although Hold On was undeniably well-crafted, it lacked the depth of earlier work. Nonetheless, two of its tracks, "Boulevard" and "That Girl Could Sing", became Top 20 hits in America while in 1982 the singer reached number 7 with "Somebody's Baby", a song taken from the soundtrack of Fast Times At Ridgemont High. Commitments to social causes and his personal life only increased Browne's artistic impasse and Lawyers In Love was a major disappointment. It did, however, contain the title track and "Tender Is The Night", which combined the strength of early work with a memorable hookline. Lives In The Balance, which addressed the Reagan presidential era, showed a greater sense of accomplishment, a feature continued on World In Motion. Following his publicized break-up with actress Daryl Hannah, Browne recorded an album of deeply powerful and introspective lyrics, much in keeping with The Pretender. I'm Alive clearly demonstrated that after more than 20 years of writing songs, it is possible to remain as sharp and fresh as ever. In "Sky Blue And Black" he revisits old territory, with what can be seen as an updated version of "Sleep's Dark And Silent Gate". The follow-up, Looking East, was a limp and lifeless album and a bitter disappointment for those expecting another I'm Alive. However, Jackson Browne rightly remains a highly regarded singer-songwriter, as testified by the numerous acts who have turned to his work over the years. The craftsmanship of his lyrics and melody assures him a devoted audience, and, like Neil Young, there is a feeling that his best may still be yet to come..
JACKSON BROWNE ALBUMS
Jackson Browne aka Saturate Before Using (Asylum 1972),
For Everyman (Asylum 1973),
Late For The Sky (Asylum 1974),
The Pretender (Asylum 1976),
Running On Empty (Asylum 1977),
Hold Out (Asylum 1980), Lawyers In Love (Asylum 1983), Lives In The Balance (Asylum 1986),
Worlds In Motion (Elektra 1989), I'm Alive (Elektra 1994),
Looking East (Elektra 1996). Compilations The Best Of Jackson Browne(East West 1997)