Segerstrom Center for the Arts Hosts Jackson Browne

The Performer is Scheduled for May 6

Written By: Mary McNulty  Segerstrom Center for the Arts Hosts Jackson Browne

Running on Empty, Brown Eyed Girl and The Pretender are just a few of Jackson Browne’s classics. There is little wonder why Browne has sold over 18 million albums in the United States alone and his May 6 concert at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts is getting buzzed about.

The musician graduated from Fullerton’s Sunny Hills High in 1966 and played the world famous Golden Bear in Huntington Beach that same year. Browne is obviously a child prodigy. How else would you describe an individual who wrote Doctor My Eyes at the age of 16? By the age of 18, Browne was writing for Nina Music, the publishing arm of Elektra Records.

Starting out with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Browne has performed with many industry icons. He has played not only with the Eagles but Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell and The Byrds. Can’t forget Crosby, Stills and Nash. Many of Browne’s songs were released first by the above artists, with his versions years later.

Many of the relationships forged with the artists of the 70s and 80s remain strong today and are still a major concert draw. A great example is the upcoming tour with James Taylor where performances are scheduled in baseball stadiums like Wrigley Field and Fenway Park.

The highlight of Browne’s long career came in 2004 when he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Introduced by none other than Bob Dylan who commented on Browne’s talents as a songwriter. Dylan noted that while the Eagles may have been inducted first, “You wrote the songs they wish they had written.” He was recognized for his songwriting ability in 2007 with entry into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Right behind the Hall of Fame in prestige is the Rolling Stone ranking. In 2003, Browne had three—For Everyman, Late for the Sky and The Pretender—on the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Browne has always been politically active. From protests at nuclear power plants in the 70s and 80s to suing John McCain for the use of Running on Empty during his Presidential campaign, Browne has used his fame to support his liberal views. He expressed his sentiments, as an example, in the 1986 album Lives in the Balance.

No doubt at the end of the concert the audience will be echoing the sentiment the 67-year-old singer songwriter expressed in This is Patrick:

“Oh won’t you stay just a little bit longer, Say you will!”

 

Segerstrom Center for the Arts
600 Town Center Dr
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
714.556.2787 | www.scfta.org

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Never went to the same elementary school twice. Admittedly it was pretty cool always being the new kid. Ruled both Stone Mountain High in Stone Mountain, GA and the San Miguel dorm at UC Santa Barbara during my tenure.
After my college freshmen year in Atlanta my Dad was transferred to CA. No way was I staying in the Southeast alone. After all we had lived in almost every Southeastern state. Born in Tennessee. Moved to Alabama. Moved to Florida. Moved to Ohio –definitely out of our element. Moved to Atlanta –Stone Mountain-and amazingly went to the same high school until graduation. Moved to CA in ’75 basically in three locations.
Without a doubt the best place and time was as a college student at UC Santa Barbara. Shocker huh? Had the rough experience of living in the dorm. I lived in the eight floor “Penthouse” for two years. One year the room overlooked the campus lagoon where at 6 am the Crew Team would yell “Stroke!” The other year simply overlooked the Santa Barbara coast.
Spent far too long in a career without passion but no longer. So here is to living the passion regardless of age.

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