Romantic balladeer turned political activist, Jackson Browne is one of America's most enduring singer-songwriters. Raised in Southern California, Browne joined the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band while in high school, but quit to pursue a solo career in New York, where he hung out at Andy Warhol's Factory and fell in love with singer Nico. After signing with David Geffen, Browne came home and became part of the L.A. music scene that included Joni Mitchell, the Eagles, and Crosby, Stills and Nash. Browne's first album was released to strong reviews in 1972 and his first single, "Doctor My Eyes," climbed to number eight on Billboard's Top 100. With his poetic songwriting and boyish good looks, Browne's next four albums won both criticalacclaim and commercial success. In the 1980s, Browne became an outspoken liberal activist and his songwriting began to take on a strongly political cast. After a very public split with actress Darryl Hannah in 1991, Browne's songs once again turned confessional. Long regarded as one of the most important artists to come out of Southern California, Jackson Browne remains one of the music industry's most complex and fascinating figures.
Man holding Kodak Brownie camera, 1900.
Further Reading:
DeCurtis, Anthony. "Jackson Browne." Rolling Stone. October 15,1992. 138-139.
