The seventies were one of the best times for art. Some of the most influential movies came out in this era and music was taking a 180-degree turn for the better. After the chaos of the sixties, the common person had a longing for love, community, and togetherness. This is when the awkward teenagers and their guitars got to shine and their folk-style acoustic guitar playing and poetic lyrics became acceptable. One of the best artists to come from this coffeehouse generation of music was Jackson Browne.
Jackson Browne is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. He has sold over 18 million albums in the United States with his prominence due to songs such as “These Days”, “The Pretender”, “Running on Empty”, “Lawyers in Love”, “Doctor My Eyes”, and “Take It Easy”. In 2004, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and he was granted an Honorary Doctorate of Music by Occidental College. Browne was one of the musicians alongside James Taylor, Carole King, Elton John, etc. to become big at The Troubadour music venue in West Hollywood.
One of Browne’s most unique aspects is his ability to write incredible songs. Aside from writing his own material, he co-writes and writes songs for others. For example, his first band Nitty Gritty Dirt Band would perform songs written solely by him. Another example is Browne’s songwriting and guitar work on some of Nico’s “Chelsea Girl”. For one of his better-known examples, Jackson Browne co-wrote Eagles’ hit “Take It Easy” with Glenn Frey. Fans often refer to him as one of the best poet of our time, if not “the” best poet of our time because of his ability to write brutally honest, sweet, and meaningful songs. In the beginning of his career his songs were more focused on the emotions, feelings, and experience of common people, but when he got older and progressed further his material became centered more on politics and world issues.
Aside from being a musician and writing songs, Jackson Browne is also heavily involved in different types of activism. Browne was one of the leaders of the antinuclear movement and founded MUSE (Musicians United for Safe Energy) in 1979. Browne is also against unnecessary plastic usage and is part of the movement “Plastic Free Backstage”. Browne also participates or performs in a wide variety of charity-based events that help to benefit others in need.
Overall, Jackson Browne is someone to admire and is practically a model for what the seventies needed after the sixties. He’s an incredible musician, talented songwriter, and he looks towards a bigger picture with his environmental activism and his charity work. Browne is a true inspiration not only as an artist, but also as a person.
