Good News Tucson - A Family Values Publication

The Sounds Of Jackson Browne

The son of an American GI born in Germany has become a singer/songwriter. Jackson Browne became part of the Southern California sound in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. Despite a short stay in New York City’s Greenwich Village, Jackson Browne calls Southern California home. Browne debuted his first record in 1972 simply titled “Jackson Browne.” He has been labeled as the thinking man’s rocker. The catchy melodies and the clear, thoughtful, honest lyrics have become a known fact in his music. He has authored 14 albums and five of them have cracked the top twenty. 1980’s release “Hold Out” went all the way to number one! Seven of his songs from those albums also cracked the top twenty. In 1979 his voice became heard in politics as he has and still is standing for what he believes. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. Jackson Browne will take center stage with his guitar here in Tucson at the famous Fox Theatre Sunday April 13th.

The last two CD releases have been solo and acoustic and that is the sound and style Browne will perform here in Tucson. He will delight his fans with his songs and piano and guitar playing ability.

“So what I do more than play any instrument- I mean I love to play- but more than that I write songs. Songs that are about living, about what its like to be going through all the things that people go through in life.”

Jackson Browne is the co-author of the legendary Eagles hit with Glenn Frey, “Take it Easy”. Songs like “Doctor My Eyes”, “Running on Empty”, and “Somebody’s Baby” have become FM radio staples for more than thirty years now. His songs have been featured in films from Martin Scorsese’s “Taxi Driver” to the comedy “Fast Times at Ridgemont High”. Television has capitalized on Browne’s creative skills as his songs have appeared in a “Miami Vice” episode and the pilot episode for the hit sitcom “Friends”.

Jackson Browne first took his political stance in 1979 against Nuclear Weapons. Since then he has stood against and for many of the world’s current issues. He has endorsed numerous presidential candidates, most recently for Senator John Edwards in 2007-2008. Jackson Browne played Farm Aid in the 1980’s. The current Jackson Browne tour is encouraging fans to bring non-perishable foods to feed the hungry. He is partnered with WHY (World Hunger Year) to feed the hungry here in America. With the reality that in America more than 25 million people rely on food banks, pantries and soup kitchens to feed themselves and their families, Browne has joined a list of other notable musicians supporting WHY, which include Springsteen and Aerosmith. Since his start in 1966 with The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band the voice and sound of Jackson Browne and what he stands for will be ever changing and evolving with the times.

The sound of Jackson Browne traces its roots to American Folk music and rock and roll.

“The biggest influence? I’ve had several - but the biggest for me was Bob Dylan, who was a guy who came along when I was twelve or thirteen and just changed all the rules about what it meant to write songs.” In most cases the Hall of Fame marks the final chapter of a long, storied, memorable career. In the case of Jackson Browne, his 2004 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was just another chapter. Jackson Browne’s music is a soothing sound and his voice is one of reason in a world so full of conflict. “The idea that I wrote something that stood for the way I feel about things, and that it lasts, that’s probably my favorite thing that I’ve done.“

See Jackson Browne this month in Arizona and support his cause to help feed the American hungry. Sunday April 13th Fox Theatre Tucson, AZ 7:30 PM and Monday April 14th Mesa Arts Center Mesa AZ 7:30PM.

Travis Kelly is a freelance writer and the Men’s Ministry Director at Pathway of Hope Foursquare Church in Oro Valley.