Tag Archives: Jackson Browne

Music Monday: July 20, 2026

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

#musicmonday #musicblog #musicandlyrics

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Multi genre music royalty Linda Ronstadt turned 80 years young last week. The incomprable singer was born July 15, 1946 in Arizona and raised on a 10 acre farm. Her father’s ancestry would later inspire her Mexican recordings. She started her career as part of the folk trio, The Stone Poneys, who had a Top 20 hit in 1967 with a song written by Mike Nesmith of The Monkees. Ronstadt released her first solo album in 1969.

This is from my post on Day 486 of my Lockdown Countdown:

“Ronstadt has sung nearly every genre of music in her career from pop to country to big band to Mexican to jazz and more. On her 34th birthday in 1980, she expanded her repertoire when she appeared in Joseph Papp’s production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance in Central Park in NYC. But I still love the song that started her career and introduced us all to her unbelievably fabulous voice. Here’s to 100 more birthdays for this legendary artist“.

Linda Ronstadt in the 1970’s. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Ronstadt in the 1970’s. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Ronstadt circa 1999. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

This year also marks the golden anniversary of Ronstadt’s seventh studio album, Hasten Down the Wind. It was released 50 years ago by Capitol on August 9, 1976. A month later, it peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200, giving her the third platinum album of her career.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The man who wrote the title track to Ronstadt’s 1976 album-Warren Zevon-released his own self titled album 50 years ago in May 1976. His original take on the song strikes me as even more heartbreaking than hers, probably because it is amplified by the gorgeous harmony vocals by Phil Everly. In the 1970’s Zevon worked as the band leader, musical coordinator and keyboard player for The Everly Brothers and later worked with both Phil and Don Everly on their solo tours. Another of Zevon’s friends-fellow singer/songwriter, Jackson Browne-produced Zevon’s 1976 album and contributed guitar & harmony vocals to four of the eleven tracks. JD Souther, Lindsey Buckingham, Bonnie Raitt and many other artists also contributed to Zevon’s record.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Warren Zevon (L) and Phil Everly (R) circa 1971. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Zevon (L) and Jackson Browne (R) circa 1976. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Blues, rock & country singer-songwriter & musician Delbert McClinton had a Top Ten hit in February 1981 with a song that peaked at #8. That technically makes the singer-who turned 85 last November-a one-hit wonder. However, he had a hit duet with country superstar Tanya Tucker-“Tell Me About It”-which reached #4 on the country chart in July 1993.

McClinton is also a four-time Grammy winner with awards in 1992 for Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal for the song, ” Good Man, Good Woman” with Bonnie Raitt; in 2002 & 2006 for Best Contemporary Blues Album – or Contemporary Blues Recording for Nothing Personal (2002) and Cost Of Living (2006) and for Best Traditional Blues Album for Tall, Dark, & Handsome in 2020. Not bad for a one-hit wonder.

Delbert McClinton circa 1981. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Bonnie Bramlett (L) of Delaney & Bonnie provided the backing vocals for McClinton’s 1981 hit. They are pictured here together circa 1978. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The pilot episode of “Six Feet Under” premiered 25 years ago on Sunday, June 3, 2001. The Fishers-Nathaniel, Ruth, Nate, David & Clare-helped us explore death in their family-owned funeral home along with their life challenges, romances, neurosis and their own struggles living in the same place where the reality of death is ever present. The IMDb tagline for the show-“When death is your business, what is your life?”-tells you all you need to know.

To closeout the Christmas episode in S2 (E8 which oddly enough aired in April 2002) one of the main characters, Nate-the oldest son who reluctantly inherits half of the family business he wanted nothing to do with after his father’s sudden death-takes a moment of freedom from his new reality by escaping it via a motorcycle ride. But perhaps as a reminder to Nate’s profession and how near the end may be for any one of us, the song underscoring Nate’s temporary escape is none other than the Blue Oyster Cult classic released 50 years ago in May 1976 from the album, Agents Of Fortune. Or perhaps it was a direct message to all of us to literally not fear the moment we are all headed towards by not letting it stop us from living. Ten years ago in 2016, that song was covered as a beautiful slow mournful ballad, giving it new life & a new audience.

The cast of “Six Feet Under” L-R: Rachel Griffiths, Peter Krause, Michael C. Hall, Mathew St. Patrick, Freddy Rodriguez, Lauren Ambrose (seated) and Frances Conroy. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Stone Poneys: “Different Drum” (1967, written by Mike Nesmith).

Linda Ronstadt: “Love Has No Pride” (1973, written by Eric Kaz and Libby Titus).

Linda Ronstadt: “You’re No Good” (1974, written by Clint Ballard Jr.).

Linda Ronstadt: “Lose Again” (1976, written by Karla Bonoff).

Linda Ronstadt: “That’ll Be The Day” (1976, written by Jerry Allison, Buddy Holly and Norman Petty).

Linda Ronstadt: “Hasten Down The Wind” (1976, written by Warren Zevon).

Linda Ronstadt featuring Aaron Neville: “Don’t Know Much” (1989, written by Barry Mann, Tom Snow and Cynthis Weil).

Rosemary Clooney & Linda Ronstadt: “Time Flies” ( Evening At Pops with John Williams live performance May 24, 1993. Written by Jimmy Webb).

Warren Zevon: “Hasten Down the Wind” (1976, written by Warren Zevon. Harmony vocals by Phil Everly).

Warren Zevon: “Poor Poor Pitiful Me” (1976, written by Warren Zevon).

Warren Zevon: “Carmelita” (1976, written by Warren Zevon).

Delbert McClinton: “Giving It Up For Your Love” (1980, written by Jerry Lynn Williams).

Blue Oyster Cult: “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” (1976, written by Buck Dharma a/k/a Donald Brian Roeser).

Denmark & Winter: “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” (2016, written by Buck Dharma a/k/a Donald Brian Roeser).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: April 27, 2026  

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

#musicmonday #musicblog #musicandlyrics

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Billy Squier’s sophmore album, Don’t Say No, was released 45 years ago on April 13, 1981. A record with a heavy rock sound featuring strong guitar licks and catchy choruses was perfectly timed to become a hit all on its own. But when it collided with the other musical benchmark of the decade-the premiere of MTV four months later on August 1, 1981-it put Squier front and center to become one of its earliest stand out artists. His simple performance videos showed us all how his sound looked. And as a young Gen Xer at the time, I can attest that Squier was not bad on the eyes, which only added to his MTV appeal.

By September 1981, the album peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200. It stayed on the chart for over two years, an astounding 111 weeks. The record produced four big songs, one of which became a Top 20 hit, and was featured in the 2007 comedy, “Blades of Glory”, during Chazz Michael Michaels’ “tsunami of swagger”.

On Day 68 of my Lockdown Countdown, I shared my love for Squier-a Wellesley, Massachusetts native-who will celebrate birthday #76 on May 12. He has released nine studio throughout his career but it is his second album that remains a classic rock staple and a tremendous moment in music history when seeing the music mattered as much as hearing it.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

My 45 of my favorite Squier song. (Image by me.)

Another album released 45 years ago in April 1981 is Dedication by Gary U.S. Bonds. He co-produced it along with Bruce Springsteen, Steven Van Zandt & Rob Parissi. The record consisted of 10 songs with three written by Bruce including the first single, one written by Van Zandt, two co-written by Bonds, a Cajun traditional song, a Beatles cover (It’s Only Love”), a Dylan cover (“From A Buick 6”) & a Jackson Browne cover.

This was a labor of love for Springsteen and Van Zandt who were fans of Bonds from his early rock & roll hits like “New Orleans”, “School’s Out” and “Quarter To Three” which was released 65 years ago in May 1961. It was performed by Springsteen at the 1979 NYC “No Nukes” concerts and featured in the 1980 film by the same name.

Bonds-born Gary Levone Anderson on June 6, 1939 in Jacksonville, Florida-enjoyed a career resurrgence with Dedication, which peaked at #27 on the Billboard 200 in 1981. It also gave him a Top Twenty hit with the first single, the opportunity to duet with Springsteen for the second single and a chance to collaborate with The E Street Band. They all joined forces together again on Bonds’ next album, On The Line, released in June 1982.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The E Street Band, Bruce Springsteen & Gary U.S. Bonds (L to R): Garry Tallent, Max Weinberg, Springsteen, Bonds, Clarence Clemons, Miami Steve Van Zandt, Roy Bittan and Danny Federici circa 1981. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

My own 45 of the album’s first single. (Image by me.)

I also own the second single. (Image by me.)

I still have my mom’s 45 of Bonds’ 1961 hit. (Image by me.)

Journey released two albums in 1981. Captured-the band’s first live record-was released in January of that year. It was co-founder & keyboard player Gregg Rolie’s final album with the band. My favorite track & the only single released is the only song recorded in the studio which was written by lead singer, Steve Perry.

Seven months later Escape was released July 1981. Rolie’s successor, keyboardist & songwriter Jonathan Cain left the English band, The Babys, to join Journey. He co-wrote all 10 tracks on the album which produced five singles, including two of the band’s biggest songs, “Don’t Stop Believing” and “Open Arms”. My favorite song by the band is the first single which I wrote about in my October 7 2024 post.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I still have the 45 of my favorite Journey song. (Image by me.)

The 45’s flip side. (Image by me.)

Billy Squier:  “In The Dark” (1981, written by Billy Squier).

Billy Squier: “The Stroke” (1981, written by Billy Squier).

Billy Squier: “Lonely Is The Night” (1981, written by Billy Squier).

Gary U.S. Bonds: “This Little Girl” (1981, written by Bruce Springsteen).

Gary U.S. Bonds: “Jole Blon” (1981, traditional; arranged by Moon Mullican).

Gary U.S. Bonds: “The Pretender” (1981, written by Jackson Browne).

Journey: “The Party’s Over (Hopelessly in Love)” (1981, written by Steve Perry).

Journey: “Who’s Crying Now” (1981, written by Jonathan Cain and Steve Perry).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: Oct 16, 2023

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.

Bruce quote 2023

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Happy 75th birthday to Jackson Browne. Born on October 9, 1948 in Germany where his father was stationed, the family moved to California three years later and Browne has called that state home for nearly all of his life. His professional music career started in 1966 when he joined the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and became part of the Laurel Canyon music scene. His songs were recorded by several artists including Linda Ronstadt, The Eagles (Browne co-wrote “Take It Easy” with Glenn Frey), Gregg Allman and others.

By 1971 Browne was signed to Asylum Records. Despite his well received 1972 self-titled debut album, it was his 1977 album, Running On Empty, that put Browne on the map. His days as an advocate for social and political change started in that decade as well, marked by his participation in the 1979 “No Nukes” concerts in New York City.

As much as I like many of his songs-“Running On Empty” (featured so wonderfully in Forrest Gump), “You Love The Thunder”, “Tender Is The Night”, “Somebody’s Baby”-Browne is one of those artists who stays on my periphery much more than he should, especially for such a talented singer & songwriter. And today’s track proves that so beautifully.

“I’m gonna find myself a girl
Who can show me what laughter means
And we’ll fill in the missing colors
In each other’s paint-by-number dreams“.

jackson
jb recent

Top: Jackson Browne sometime in the 1970’s. Bottom: Brown circa 2022. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Jackson Browne: “The Pretender” (1976, written by Jackson Browne).

Stay safe and well.

Music Monday: May 8, 2023

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.

Bruce quote 2023

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Another year, another huge disappointment by The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. They announced their nominees for the Class of 2023 a few weeks back. After a 20+ year wait, the list finally included the gifted eloquent singer & songwriter, Warren Zevon. And despite fans voting him in, the HOF ignored their voice and chose instead to induct other people. I cannot even use the word artists as that term does not apply to some of the unworthy “acts” getting in this year. The process to gain entry has been a popularity contest for years and has absolutely nothing-NOTHING-to do with talent. Yet every year I get sucked into believing the HOF will do the right thing. I feel like Charlie Brown with that lousy football.

While there are several artists getting in that I am thrilled for-namely lyricist extrordinaire Bernie Taupin in the Musical Excellence Award category, The Spinners as Performers and Don Cornelius (creator, producer and host of the TV show, “Soul Train”) as the recipient of the Ahmet Ertegun Award-I am just sick about Zevon. In their description of him on the Hall’s nominating page, they wrote: “Warren Zevon was an artist’s artist. One of the most talented and significant singer-songwriters to emerge in the 1970s, Zevon wrote poetic but offbeat songs, often with darkly humorous and acerbic lyrics, and delivered them with a dry wit and a twisted energy like no other performer could”. Yet they passed him over.

According to Zevon’s website, it was Long Island’s own Billy Joel who spearheaded this year’s nomination in a letter to the Hall’s nominating committee that read:

“If anyone deserves to be, he does. He was a real original, and I don’t know if that’s appreciated enough. The first minute I saw him, I was knocked out. He was like the crazy brother I never had. He was fearless, and it stuck with me. I never thought he got the attention he deserved.” On that, Billy, we can agree.

Warren William Zevon was born January 24, 1947 in Chicago, Illinois. As a young teenager, he had the good fortune to occassionally visit the homes of two remarkable conductors-Igor Stravinsky and Robert Craft. By 1966 Zevon was part of the duo, Lyme and Cabelle, with Violet Santangelo. His debut solo album, Wanted Dead Or Alive, was released in 1970. One of its songs was retitled & recorded by Leslie Miller for the soundtrack to Midnight Cowboy.

Six years later after a stint as band leader and keyboardist for the Everly Brothers, Zevon’s self-titled second album-produced by Jackson Browne-came out. Like the first one, it was a critical success but did not sell. However, it did include two songs which Linda Ronstadt would also record: “Poor Poor Pitiful Me” and “Hasten Down The Wind”. In 1978 Zevon achieved both commercial & critical acclaim with his third album, Excitable Boy (also produced by Browne along with guitarist Waddy Wachtel). That introduced the world to “Werewolves Of London”.

Per the HOF’s rules, an artist is eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first album. That means Zevon qualified in 1995. Even if the HOF wanted to use his major label debut date to qualify him-album #2 in 1976-that put his eligibility in 2001. That was two years before he died from mesothelioma on September 7, 2003 at age 56. In case you are too tired to do the math, that was 20 years ago. 

After he found out about his health, Zevon spent the fall of 2002 recording his final album, The Wind. It was released on August 26, 2003 and won two Grammy Awards in 2004: Best Contemporary Folk Album and Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal for his duet with Bruce Springsteen, “Disorder In The House“. The album featured appearances by several of Zevon’s other friends including Jackson Browne, Ry Cooder, Joe Walsh, Tom Petty, Emmylou Harris and John Waite, amongst others.

As much as I love the collaboration with Springsteen, today’s song is my favorite track on the album. It was nominated for Song Of The Year and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance but that is not why I adore it. The message of it is just beautiful. It was Zevon’s goodbye to his family (daughter Ariel and son Jordan-who accepted Zevon’s Grammys on his behalf in 2004-and her two sons, Maximus and Augustus), his friends and his fans. It closed out the album, his recording career and his life in a stunning and heartbreaking way. It also proved that if talent could get a true artist like Zevon into the R&R HOF, he would already be in.

“Shadows are fallin’ and I’m runnin’ out of breath
Keep me in your heart for a while
If I leave you it doesn’t mean I love you any less
Keep me in your heart for a while“.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Warren Zevon: “Keep Me In Your Heart” (2003, written by Jorge Calderón and Warren Zevon).

Stay safe & well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 383

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

May 2021 blog

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

From the minute music became important to me, I was interested in the details. I would read the songwriting credits on the records, the liner notes of every album & magazine interviews with my musical heroes to discover who inspired them while they were growing up. As I got older I realized my heroes had contemporary favorites as well and occasionally they would collaborate with them on recordings or at live shows.

However, it was not until I was listening to Bruce Springsteen’s speech to induct Jackson Browne into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2004 that I realized how much Springsteen, one of music’s most eloquent & revered poets, admired Browne’s song writing skills. Springsteen spoke extensively about the beauty, intensity & sadness of Browne’s lyrics and how one song even moved Springsteen to tears. He listed about half a dozen other songs as examples of Browne’s gift which Springsteen said were the ones he wished he had written. Then he quoted a couple of lines from today’s song which is my absolute favorite track by Browne of all time.

“I’m gonna find myself a girl
Who can show me what laughter means
And we’ll fill in the missing colors
In each other’s paint-by-number dreams“.

Bruce Jackson

J Browne

Top (L-R): Bruce Springsteen and Jackson Brown circa 1987. Bottom: Browne circa 2015. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Jackson Browne: “The Pretender” (1976, written by Jackson Browne).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 318

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Shakespeare music

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

Watching David Letterman’s shows for over 30 years was not just an education in humor but an introduction to a lot of different people and music, too. One of his favorite guests was singer & songwriter Warren Zevon, born January 24, 1947 in IL. I saw him for the first time on Letterman’s NBC show but I had been listening to his music for years before that appearance.

Zevon’s most well known song, “Werewolves Of London” was a staple of FM radio in the 1970’s as were covers of his songs by Linda Ronstadt including “Poor Poor Pitiful Me” and today’s pick. Zevon included it on his 1976 self titled album which was produced by his friend Jackson Browne. It is a heartbreaking song about a man realizing he is losing the woman he loves not to another man but just because her feelings for him simply faded away. The beautiful harmony vocals are by Phil Everly, who met Zevon when he joined The Everly Brothers touring band in the 1970’s.

“She’s so many women
He can’t find the one who was his friend
So he’s hanging on to half her heart
He can’t have the restless part”.

Warren Zevon circa 1979

Warren Zevon circa 1979. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Warren Zevon: “Hasten Down The Wind” (1976, written by Warren Zevon).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 232

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Thoreau quote 2

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day.  And if this helps anyone else, even better.

Yesterday marked the 75th birthday of one of my favorite woefully underrated artists, singer/songwriter/actor J.D. Souther. Born John David Souther on November 2, 1945 in Detroit, Michigan he was raised in Texas where he played with a local band before moving to California in the late 1960’s. That is where he first met Glenn Frey and they formed the duo, Longbranch Pennywhistle. They released one album in 1969 that did not make any impact and disbanded a year later. Then he joined the short-lived super group, The Souther-Hillman-Furay Band with Chris Hillman (from The Byrds & The Flying Burrito Brothers) and Richie Furay (from Buffalo Springfield & Poco). They broke up after two albums due to creative clashes.

Souther is considered to be one of the architects of the southern California country rock sound thanks to his collaborations with artists like The Eagles, Jackson Browne & Linda Ronstadt. Some of the songs Souther co-wrote include “Best Of My Love”, “New Kid In Town” & “Heartache Tonight” by The Eagles, “Hearts Against The Wind”, “Faithless Love” and “White Rhythm & Blues” by Linda Ronstadt and “Heart Of The Matter” (Day 89) by Don Henley. Souther also co-wrote & sang harmony vocals on James Taylor’s 1981 hit, “Her Town Too“.

Souther started acting in the 1980’s with roles in TV’s “Thirtysomething” and the movie “Always” where he performed a fabulous version of the 1933 Broadway song made famous by The Platters in 1959, “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes“. Most recently he played the role of record producer Watty White in the show, “Nashville”. I love everything he has done but consider today’s song, a top ten hit from 1979, as my favorite of all his accomplishments.

“When you need somebody around on the nights that try you
Remember I was there when you were a queen
And I’ll be the last one there beside you;
So you can call out my name“.

JD Linda 1979

JD-SOUTHER-BW-PHOTO-BY-LINDA-RONSTADT

JD 2015

Top: Linda Ronstadt & J.D. Souther circa 1979. Middle: Souther circa 1979. Bottom: Souther circa 2015. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

J. D. Souther: “You’re Only Lonely” (1979, written by J. D. Souther).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.