Jackson Browne (born October 9, 1948) was an influential singer songwriter of
the 1970s and 1980s. He was born in Heidelberg, Germany, but moved to Los
Angeles, California at an early age and began singing folk music locally. In
1966, his career began by joining the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
A talented songwriter from the beginning, Browne signed a publishing contract
with Nina Music, and his songs were performed by Tom Rush, the Eagles, Linda
Ronstadt, the Byrds and Steve Noonan, among others. After moving to Greenwich
Village, Browne worked, for a brief period, in Tim Buckley's back-up band and on
Nico's Chelsea Girl. After leaving New York City, Browne formed a folk band with
Ned Doheney and Jack Wilce.
In 1971, Browne signed with Asylum Records and
released Jackson Browne (1972), which included "Doctor My Eyes", a major hit. He
didn't sustain pop success, though, and his next album, For Everyman (1973) was
a commercial failure. Late for the Sky (1974) established a significant audience
for Browne, who released his breakthrough album, The Pretender (1977) soon after
the suicide of his wife, Phyllis. Late for the Sky was a success, and Browne
began recording his next LP while on tour. Running on Empty (1978) was an even
bigger success.
Browne achieved less critical acclaim with Hold Out (1980), which also began his
political protest era; the album was a commercial success, however, as was
Lawyers in Love, the follow-up. Lives in the Balance (1986) was an overtly
political condemnation of Reaganism, and was a huge success with Browne fans,
though not with mainstream audiences. World in Motion (1989) was also
politically-oriented, but was not very successful. After four years of silence
and a break-up with his girlfriend, actress Daryl Hannah, Browne returned with
I'm Alive, a critically acclaimed album that had no hits but still sold
respectably. Looking East (1996) was released soon after, but was not as
successful critically or commercially. His most current work, The Naked Ride
Home was released up on September 24, 2002.
Browne was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 15, 2004.
