Jackson Browne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jackson Browne
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Browne performing at the Unsung Heroes tribute to Eleni Mandell, January 2017
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Clyde Jackson Browne |
| Born | October 9, 1948 Heidelberg, Germany |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1964–present |
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Clyde Jackson Browne (born October 9, 1948) is an American rock musician, singer, and songwriter. He is also known for being a political activist. Jackson Browne has sold over 30 million albums in the United States.
He started writing songs as a teenager in the mid-1960s in Los Angeles. He first became successful by writing songs for other artists. For example, he wrote "These Days" when he was 16. This song became a small hit for the German singer Nico in 1967. He also wrote songs for bands like the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and the Eagles. The Eagles had their first big hit in 1972 with "Take It Easy", which Browne helped write.
After seeing his songs succeed for others, Browne released his own first album, Jackson Browne, in 1972. It included two Top 40 hits: "Doctor, My Eyes" and "Rock Me on the Water". His 1977 album, Running on Empty, became his most famous work. It was recorded while he was on tour, even in hotel rooms and on a tour bus! This album had popular songs like "Running on Empty" and "The Load-Out/Stay". Browne continued to have successful albums through the 1980s, including Hold Out (1980), which was his only album to reach number 1. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.
Contents
About Jackson Browne
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Jackson Browne was born on October 9, 1948, in Heidelberg, Germany. His father was an American serviceman working for the Stars and Stripes newspaper. When Jackson was three, his family moved to Los Angeles, California.
As a teenager, he started singing folk songs in local clubs like the Ash Grove and The Troubadour Club. He finished high school in 1966. After school, Browne briefly joined the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. He then moved to Greenwich Village, New York, and became a staff writer for Elektra Records' music company. During this time, he also played guitar for other singers, including Nico.
Writing Songs for Others
Many artists recorded Jackson Browne's early songs before he released his own versions. These artists included the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Nico, Gregg Allman, the Eagles, and Linda Ronstadt. Soon, Rolling Stone magazine recognized him as a talented new songwriter.
Becoming a Star
In 1971, Jackson Browne signed with Asylum Records. He released his first album, Jackson Browne, in 1972. The album featured the hit song "Doctor My Eyes", which made it into the top ten on the US singles chart. Another song from the album, "Rock Me on the Water", also became very popular on the radio.
His next album, For Everyman (1973), sold a million copies. The song "Take It Easy", which he co-wrote with Glenn Frey of the Eagles, had already been a big hit for the Eagles.
Late for the Sky (1974) helped him gain even more fans. This album showed off Browne's talent for creating memorable melodies and writing personal lyrics. It included popular songs like the title track and "Fountain of Sorrow". The title song was even used in the movie Taxi Driver.
His album The Pretender was released in 1976. It featured different music styles, from the Mariachi-inspired "Linda Paloma" to the country song "Your Bright Baby Blues".
Running on Empty (1977) became his biggest commercial success. This album was unique because it was recorded entirely while he was on tour. It included new songs and recordings made in concert, on buses, and in hotel rooms. Running on Empty features some of his most famous songs, like the title track and "The Load-Out/Stay", which is a tribute to his road crew.
Music and Activism
Jackson Browne is known for his activism and for using his music to support important causes. In 1979, he helped start Musicians United for Safe Energy (MUSE), an organization against nuclear power. He even protested at a power plant and was arrested.
His 1986 album, Lives in the Balance, openly criticized U.S. policies in Central America. The title song, "Lives in the Balance", spoke out against wars supported by the U.S. in countries like Nicaragua and El Salvador. This song was used in a PBS documentary about government actions.
Throughout the 1980s, Browne often performed at benefit concerts for causes he believed in. These included Farm Aid and Amnesty International, which works to protect human rights. His 1989 album, World in Motion, included a cover of "I am a Patriot", a song he often performs at concerts.
Later Career
In 1993, Browne released I'm Alive. This album had a more personal feel. One song from it, "Sky Blue and Black", was used in the first episode of the TV show Friends. In 1995, he performed in The Wizard of Oz in Concert: Dreams Come True, a musical show to help the Children's Defense Fund.
His album The Naked Ride Home was released in 2002. In 2003, he appeared as himself in an episode of The Simpsons, singing a funny version of his song "Rosie".
In 2004, Jackson Browne was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Bruce Springsteen gave the speech, saying that Browne wrote songs the Eagles wished they had written.
Browne continued to be involved in politics. He supported different presidential candidates and performed at events to encourage people to vote. He also supported the Occupy Wall Street movement in 2011.
He released Solo Acoustic, Vol. 1 in 2005, which featured live recordings of his songs. This album was nominated for a Grammy Award. His album Time the Conqueror came out in 2008 and reached number 20 on the Billboard album chart.
In 2008, Browne sued John McCain's campaign for using his song "Running on Empty" in an advertisement without his permission. They later settled the case.
In 2014, a tribute album called Looking into You: A Tribute to Jackson Browne was released. It featured other famous artists covering his songs, including Bruce Springsteen and Don Henley. His 14th studio album, Standing in the Breach, was released in 2014.
In 2020, he released new songs like "A Little Soon to Say" and "Downhill from Everywhere". His 15th studio album, Downhill from Everywhere, was released in 2021.
Personal Life
Jackson Browne has been married twice and has two sons. His first wife was Phyllis Major. Their son, Ethan Zane Browne, was born in 1973. Jackson and Ethan appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine in 1974.
In 1981, Browne married Lynne Sweeney. Their son, Ryan Browne, was born in 1982. Ryan is also a musician. Jackson Browne and Lynne Sweeney divorced in 1983. He later dated actress Daryl Hannah. He also has one grandson.
Helping the Environment
Jackson Browne has been very active in protecting the environment. He helped start MUSE, an organization against nuclear power, in 1979. He is also known for campaigning against the unnecessary use of plastic water bottles. He tries to reduce plastic use during his tours and is part of the "Plastic Free Backstage" movement.
In 2008, he was honored as "Environmentalist of the Year" by the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association. In 2010, he received the Duke LEAF Award for his environmental work and for making his tours more "green". He also received the Ocean Hero Award in 2011 for his efforts to protect the ocean and fight plastic pollution.
Charity Work
Jackson Browne has contributed to many charity albums and benefit concerts.
- In 1991, he recorded "Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight" with Jennifer Warnes for a charity album to help the Pediatrics AIDS Foundation.
- In 1992, he performed in a benefit concert in Hawaii to help victims of Hurricane Iniki.
- In 1995, he sang in The Wizard of Oz in Concert: Dreams Come True to benefit the Children's Defense Fund.
- In 2007, he covered John Lennon's "Oh My Love" for an album to help Amnesty International's campaign for Darfur.
- In 2008, he contributed to Songs for Tibet, an album supporting the Dalai Lama and raising awareness about human rights in Tibet.
- He has also performed at the Bridge School Benefit Concert, a yearly fundraiser started by Neil Young to help children with severe physical challenges.
- In 2013, he performed at "Rock for Oklahoma," a benefit concert for tornado victims.
- He often performs at benefits to keep arts and music funded in public schools.
- In 2013, he performed with students from the School of Rock to raise money for scholarships for children who want to attend rock school.
Awards and Honors
Grammy Awards
The Grammy Awards are very important music awards in the United States. Jackson Browne has been nominated eight times.
| Grammy Awards | |||||
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| Year | Work | Award | Result | Ref | |
| 1979 | Running on Empty | Album of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male | Nominated | ||||
| 1981 | "Boulevard" | Best Rock Vocal Performance, Male | Nominated | ||
| 1995 | "I'm Alive (Jackson Browne album)" | Grammy Award for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical | Nominated | ||
| 1999 | "Kisses Sweeter than Wine" (with Bonnie Raitt) | Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals | Nominated | ||
| 2007 | Solo Acoustic, Vol. 1 | Best Contemporary Folk Album | Nominated | ||
| 2011 | Love Is Strange: En Vivo Con Tino | Nominated | |||
| 2022 | Downhill from Everywhere | Best Americana Album | Nominated | ||
Other Recognitions
- In 2002, Browne received the John Steinbeck Award for showing environmental and social values in his art.
- On March 14, 2004, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
- On June 7, 2007, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
- In 2004, he was given an honorary Doctor of Music degree by Occidental College for combining his personal music with a vision for social justice.
- He received the Courage of Conscience Awards from The Peace Abbey for promoting peace and nonviolent solutions.
- In 2008, he received the Golden Plate Award from the Academy of Achievement for his artistic career and social activism.
- In 2018, Browne received the Gandhi Peace Award, becoming the first artist to get this award.
Discography
- Jackson Browne (1972)
- For Everyman (1973)
- Late for the Sky (1974)
- The Pretender (1976)
- Running on Empty (1977)
- Hold Out (1980)
- Lawyers in Love (1983)
- Lives in the Balance (1986)
- World in Motion (1989)
- I'm Alive (1993)
- Looking East (1996)
- The Best of Jackson Browne: The Next Voice You Hear (1997)
- The Naked Ride Home (2002)
- The Very Best of Jackson Browne (2004)
- Solo Acoustic, Vol. 1 (2005)
- Solo Acoustic, Vol. 2 (2008)
- Time the Conqueror (2008)
- Love Is Strange: En Vivo Con Tino (2010)
- Standing in the Breach (2014)
- Downhill from Everywhere (2021)
Images for kids
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Browne performing at the Unsung Heroes tribute to Eleni Mandell, January 2017
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Jackson Browne's signature
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Browne during a 1976 concert in Hamburg, Germany
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Browne in 1980
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Bonnie Raitt with Jackson Browne at a 1997 press conference
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Browne campaigning for presidential candidate John Edwards at a fundraising event in 2008
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Browne and Daryl Hannah, 1988
See also
In Spanish: Jackson Browne para niños
