Bernie Leadon
Bernie Leadon (born
July 19,
1947 in
Minneapolis, Minnesota) is an
American musician, best known as a founding member of the
country rock band the
Eagles.
Leadon cut his teeth with various Southern California
bluegrass and
country rock groups in the
1960s, such as The Scottsville Squirrel Barkers (with future
Byrd Chris Hillman), Hearts & Flowers, Dillard & Clark, and
The Flying Burrito Brothers in the
1960s, featuring his work on
dobro,
banjo and
mandolin, as well as
guitar.
Introduced, and attracted, to the songwriting, singing and instrumental skills of
Glenn Frey,
Don Henley and
Randy Meisner while all were members of a backing band in the employ of
Linda Ronstadt, the quartet tendered their resignation
en masse and formed their own group, dubbing themselves "
the Eagles" as a nod to seminal
folk rockers the Byrds in
1971. Leadon used his boyhood choir training to arrange intricate
harmony vocals on the Eagles' first few albums, and displayed his considerable multi-instrumental skills to great effect. He also wrote or co-wrote several songs, including the band's second hit, "Witchy Woman."
After indulging in the rock-star life for a few years, and while caught up in a relationship with then-
Governor Ronald Reagan's daughter
Patti Davis, Leadon left the band amid much acrimony in
1975, reportedly announcing his resignation by pouring a
beer over Frey's head.
Since that time Leadon has played with numerous other
country and
bluegrass artists, including a stint with the
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Leadon has currently released his second solo effort in 27 years, the 2004's "Mirror". Leadon is also known as a
surfing enthusiast.
He also co-founded the now defunct Pioneer Music Group in Japan which released an album from former Atlantic Records recording artist
Judson Spence; an effort Leadon also produced.
*Train Leaves Here This Morning (co-written with
Gene Clark)
*Earlybird (co-written with Randy Meisner)
*Witchy Woman (co-written with Don Henley)
*Twenty-One
*Bitter Creek
*Saturday Night (co-written with Randy Meisner, Glenn Frey, and Don Henley)
*My Man
*On The Border (co-written with Don Henley and Glenn Frey)
*Hollywood Waltz (co-written with Don Henley, Glenn Frey and brother
Tom Leadon)
*Journey Of The Sorcerer. This piece was used as the theme music for the television series and the film versions of
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy*I Wish You Peace (co-written with Patti Davis)
*Train Leaves Here This Morning-from
Eagles,
*Earlybird-from
Eagles,
*Twenty-One-from
Desperado,
*Bitter Creek-from
Desperado,
*My Man-from
On the Border,
*On the Border-co-lead vocal in the bridge-from
On the Border,
*I Wish You Peace-from
One of These Nights*
Bernie Leadon's official website*
Discography*
Official Eagles website*
Desperados book website
