Bernie Leadon
Encyclopedia
Bernard Mathew "Bernie" Leadon, III (born July 19, 1947, in Minneapolis, Minnesota
) is an American
musician
and songwriter
, best known as a founding member of the Eagles. Prior to the Eagles, he was a member of two pioneering and highly influential country rock bands, Dillard & Clark
and the Flying Burrito Brothers. He is a multi-instrumentalist (guitar, banjo, mandolin, steel guitar, dobro) coming from a bluegrass background. He introduced elements of this music to a mainstream audience during his tenure with the Eagles.
Leadon's music career since leaving the Eagles has been decidedly low-key, resulting in merely two solo albums with a gap of 27 years in between. Leadon is, however, a noted session musician who has appeared as a guest on many other artists' records.
parents of ten children. His father was an aerospace engineer whose career moved the family around the U.S. The family enjoyed music, and at an early age, young Bernie developed a keen interest in folk and bluegrass music. He eventually mastered the 5-string banjo, mandolin and acoustic guitar respectively. As a young teen he moved with his family to San Diego where he met fellow musicians Ed Douglas and Larry Murray of local bluegrass outfit, The Scottsville Squirrel Barkers
. The Barkers would prove a breeding ground for future California country rock talent including a shy, 18-year-old mandolin player by the name of Chris Hillman
(The Byrds
, The Flying Burrito Brothers
, Souther-Hillman-Furay Band
, The Desert Rose Band) and with whom Leadon would strike a life-long friendship. Augmented by banjo player, and later Flying Burrito Brother Kenny Wertz, the Squirrel Barkers would eventually ask Leadon to join the group upon Wertz's joining the Air Force
in 1963.
His stint in the Scottsville Squirrel Barkers
did not last long. In late 1964, his family once again relocated to Gainesville, Florida
, when his father accepted a position as Professor of Aerospace Engineering
at the University of Florida
. Leadon attended Gainesville High School, where he met classmate and future Eagles guitarist Don Felder
. Felder's band, the Continentals, had just lost guitarist and future Buffalo Springfield
& CSNY
superstar Stephen Stills
. Upon Leadon's joining the group, rechristened Maundy Quintet, they gigged locally, even sharing the bill with future Gainesville legend Tom Petty
and his early band the Epics (a band which also included Bernie's brother, musician Tom Leadon
).
A call from ex-Squirrel Barker Larry Murray in 1967 to join his fledgling psychedelic country-folk group, Hearts & Flowers
, was enticement enough for Bernie to move to California, where he quickly fell in with the burgeoning L.A. folk/country rock scene. Bernie recorded one album with the band, their sophomore effort, Of Horses, Kids, and Forgotten Women for Capitol Records
. The record was a local hit but failed to make much of a dent on the national album charts. Discouraged, the group disbanded in 1968.
By late '68 Bernie had befriended bluegrass/banjo legend Doug Dillard, late of the Dillards
. While crashing at Dillard's pad, informal jam sessions with prolific songwriter and ex-Byrds member Gene Clark
began to take shape and morphed into what would become Dillard & Clark, a seminal country-rock band who would lay the groundwork for the country-rock sound that would dominate the L.A. music scene for the next decade. In 1968, the group recorded their classic and highly influential LP, The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard & Clark
. The album featured Bernie's warm and distinctive backing vocals and impressive multi-instrumental work, and was highlighted by several compositions co-written with Clark, most notably the future Eagles staple from their debut album (and somewhat signature song for Leadon), "Train Leaves Here This Morning".
Bernie left Dillard & Clark in 1969, eventually reconnecting with ex-Squirrel Barker (and ex-Byrd) Chris Hillman, who asked him to join his fledgling country-rock outfit, The Flying Burrito Brothers
, a band that Hillman had formed a year earlier with fellow ex-Byrd, Gram Parsons
. Bernie would record two albums with the group, Burrito Deluxe
and the post-Parsons LP, The Flying Burrito Bros. After its release in 1971, Bernie had tired of the band's lack of commercial success and decided to leave the band to pursue an opportunity to play with three musicians he had gelled with while moonlighting in Linda Rondstadt's backing band that summer. He would strike paydirt with this next band, the Eagles, who would launch his career and the country-rock genre into the stratosphere.
, drummer/singer Don Henley
, and former Poco
bassist/singer Randy Meisner
. Bernie is often credited with helping shape the band’s early country-rock sound, bringing his strong sense of harmony as well as his country, bluegrass and acoustic sensibilities to the group.
Upon the release of their debut album, Eagles
, the group met with near instantaneous success, due largely to the strength of their hit singles, "Take It Easy
", "Peaceful Easy Feeling
" and "Witchy Woman
" (co-written by Leadon and Henley), all of which highlighted Leadon’s multi-instrumental talent on electric guitar, B-Bender
, banjo, and harmony vocals. Their follow-up, Desperado, was another strong country-rock venture highlighted by the classics "Tequila Sunrise
" and the title track
, but was met by surprisingly lukewarm reviews and lackluster sales. As a result, the band attempted to distance itself from the “country rock
” label for their third album On the Border
. In doing so, Leadon encouraged the group to recruit his old friend, guitarist Don Felder
to the band. The result was the guitar-heavy top ten hit "Already Gone
". The album also included "My Man", Leadon's touching tribute to his old bandmate and friend, Gram Parsons
, who had died of a drug overdose the year prior at Joshua Tree National Park
in southeastern California
.
With the wild success of On the Border
and its follow-up smash, One of These Nights
, tension within the band grew, as Leadon grew increasingly frustrated by the band’s direction away from his beloved country and bluegrass and toward AOR stadium rock. He famously quit the band in 1975 by pouring a beer over Glenn Frey’s head. He later cited a need to get healthy and break the vicious cycle of touring, recording and heavy drug use that was rampant within the band.
Upon his departure, Asylum Records
released Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975), which highlighted the band's Leadon years and went on to become the biggest-selling greatest album of all time, selling over 42 million units. Although this is sometimes disputed because Michael Jackson's Thriller is stil the best selling, non greatest hits album of all time. He was replaced by former James Gang
guitarist/singer, Joe Walsh
.
In 1985, he recorded an album of bluegrass and gospel favorites under the name Ever Call Ready, featuring Chris Hillman
and Al Perkins
, and also had a short stint with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
in the late 80’s. In 1993, he became a member of Run C&W
, a novelty group singing Motown hits "bluegrass style", recording two albums for MCA Records
. In 1998, Leadon reunited with the Eagles in New York City for the band's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
. All seven current and former Eagles members performed together on "Take It Easy," and "Hotel California". In 2004, he released his second solo effort in 27 years, Mirror.
He currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee
, where he is a well-regarded and well-respected session musician and producer, considered by many as one of the early pioneers of the country-rock genre.
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, best known as a founding member of the Eagles. Prior to the Eagles, he was a member of two pioneering and highly influential country rock bands, Dillard & Clark
Dillard & Clark
Dillard & Clark was a country rock duo which featured ex-Byrds member Gene Clark and bluegrass banjo player Doug Dillard. The group was formed in 1968, shortly after Clark departed The Byrds, and Dillard left The Dillards. They were backed up by, among others, Bernie Leadon, Chris Hillman, Sneaky...
and the Flying Burrito Brothers. He is a multi-instrumentalist (guitar, banjo, mandolin, steel guitar, dobro) coming from a bluegrass background. He introduced elements of this music to a mainstream audience during his tenure with the Eagles.
Leadon's music career since leaving the Eagles has been decidedly low-key, resulting in merely two solo albums with a gap of 27 years in between. Leadon is, however, a noted session musician who has appeared as a guest on many other artists' records.
Early career
Leadon was born in Minneapolis, to Dr. Bernard Leadon, Jr. and Ann Teresa Sweetser Leadon, devout CatholicCatholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
parents of ten children. His father was an aerospace engineer whose career moved the family around the U.S. The family enjoyed music, and at an early age, young Bernie developed a keen interest in folk and bluegrass music. He eventually mastered the 5-string banjo, mandolin and acoustic guitar respectively. As a young teen he moved with his family to San Diego where he met fellow musicians Ed Douglas and Larry Murray of local bluegrass outfit, The Scottsville Squirrel Barkers
The Scottsville Squirrel Barkers
The Scottsville Squirrel Barkers were a San Diego-based bluegrass group, perhaps most significant as the band that launched the career of founding Byrds' member, Chris Hillman and founding Eagles' guitarist-songwriter, Bernie Leadon...
. The Barkers would prove a breeding ground for future California country rock talent including a shy, 18-year-old mandolin player by the name of Chris Hillman
Chris Hillman
Christopher Hillman was one of the original members of The Byrds which in 1965 included Roger McGuinn, Gene Clark, David Crosby, and Michael Clarke....
(The Byrds
The Byrds
The Byrds were an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964. The band underwent multiple line-up changes throughout its existence, with frontman Roger McGuinn remaining the sole consistent member until the group disbanded in 1973...
, The Flying Burrito Brothers
The Flying Burrito Brothers
The Flying Burrito Brothers was an early country rock band, best known for its influential debut album,The Gilded Palace of Sin . Although the group is most often mentioned in connection with country rock legends Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman, the group underwent many personnel changes.-Original...
, Souther-Hillman-Furay Band
Souther-Hillman-Furay Band
The Souther Hillman Furay Band was a country rock supergroup led by singer-songwriters Richie Furay , Chris Hillman , and J.D. Souther...
, The Desert Rose Band) and with whom Leadon would strike a life-long friendship. Augmented by banjo player, and later Flying Burrito Brother Kenny Wertz, the Squirrel Barkers would eventually ask Leadon to join the group upon Wertz's joining the Air Force
Air force
An air force, also known in some countries as an air army, is in the broadest sense, the national military organization that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army, navy or...
in 1963.
His stint in the Scottsville Squirrel Barkers
The Scottsville Squirrel Barkers
The Scottsville Squirrel Barkers were a San Diego-based bluegrass group, perhaps most significant as the band that launched the career of founding Byrds' member, Chris Hillman and founding Eagles' guitarist-songwriter, Bernie Leadon...
did not last long. In late 1964, his family once again relocated to Gainesville, Florida
Gainesville, Florida
Gainesville is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Alachua County, Florida, United States as well as the principal city of the Gainesville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area . The preliminary 2010 Census population count for Gainesville is 124,354. Gainesville is home to the sixth...
, when his father accepted a position as Professor of Aerospace Engineering
Aerospace engineering
Aerospace engineering is the primary branch of engineering concerned with the design, construction and science of aircraft and spacecraft. It is divided into two major and overlapping branches: aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering...
at the University of Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
. Leadon attended Gainesville High School, where he met classmate and future Eagles guitarist Don Felder
Don Felder
Donald William "Don" Felder is an American musician and songwriter, best known for his work as lead guitarist for the Eagles from 1974 to 1980 and again from 1994 to 2001.-Early life and influences:...
. Felder's band, the Continentals, had just lost guitarist and future Buffalo Springfield
Buffalo Springfield
Buffalo Springfield is a North American folk rock band renown both for its music and as a springboard for the careers of Neil Young, Stephen Stills, Richie Furay and Jim Messina. Among the first wave of North American bands to become popular in the wake of the British invasion, the group combined...
& CSNY
Crosby, Stills & Nash (and Young)
Crosby, Stills & Nash is a folk rock supergroup made up of David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash, also known as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young when joined by occasional fourth member Neil Young...
superstar Stephen Stills
Stephen Stills
Stephen Arthur Stills is an American guitarist and singer/songwriter best known for his work with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills & Nash . He has performed on a professional level in several other bands as well as maintaining a solo career at the same time...
. Upon Leadon's joining the group, rechristened Maundy Quintet, they gigged locally, even sharing the bill with future Gainesville legend Tom Petty
Tom Petty
Thomas Earl "Tom" Petty is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is the frontman of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and was a founding member of the late 1980s supergroup Traveling Wilburys and Mudcrutch. He has also performed under the pseudonyms of Charlie T...
and his early band the Epics (a band which also included Bernie's brother, musician Tom Leadon
Tom Leadon
Tom Leadon is an American musician. He was an original member of Tom Petty's former band, Mudcrutch. He is the brother of Bernie Leadon, formerly of the Eagles....
).
A call from ex-Squirrel Barker Larry Murray in 1967 to join his fledgling psychedelic country-folk group, Hearts & Flowers
Hearts & Flowers
Hearts & Flowers was a Los Angeles folk-rock club band, perhaps most significant as one of the groups that launched the career of Eagles' founding member and guitarist-songwriter, Bernie Leadon. The lineup included Larry Murray , Dave Dawson and Rick Cunha . Leadon replaced Cunha on their second...
, was enticement enough for Bernie to move to California, where he quickly fell in with the burgeoning L.A. folk/country rock scene. Bernie recorded one album with the band, their sophomore effort, Of Horses, Kids, and Forgotten Women for Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
. The record was a local hit but failed to make much of a dent on the national album charts. Discouraged, the group disbanded in 1968.
By late '68 Bernie had befriended bluegrass/banjo legend Doug Dillard, late of the Dillards
The Dillards
The Dillards are an American bluegrass band from Salem, Missouri, consisting of Douglas Flint "Doug" Dillard The Dillards are an American bluegrass band from Salem, Missouri, consisting of Douglas Flint "Doug" Dillard The Dillards are an American bluegrass band from Salem, Missouri, consisting of...
. While crashing at Dillard's pad, informal jam sessions with prolific songwriter and ex-Byrds member Gene Clark
Gene Clark
Gene Clark, born Harold Eugene Clark was an American singer-songwriter, and one of the founding members of the folk-rock group The Byrds....
began to take shape and morphed into what would become Dillard & Clark, a seminal country-rock band who would lay the groundwork for the country-rock sound that would dominate the L.A. music scene for the next decade. In 1968, the group recorded their classic and highly influential LP, The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard & Clark
The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard & Clark
The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard & Clark is a country rock album by Dillard & Clark. The album was recorded in 1968, shortly after Clark departed The Byrds for the second time, and Dillard left The Dillards...
. The album featured Bernie's warm and distinctive backing vocals and impressive multi-instrumental work, and was highlighted by several compositions co-written with Clark, most notably the future Eagles staple from their debut album (and somewhat signature song for Leadon), "Train Leaves Here This Morning".
Bernie left Dillard & Clark in 1969, eventually reconnecting with ex-Squirrel Barker (and ex-Byrd) Chris Hillman, who asked him to join his fledgling country-rock outfit, The Flying Burrito Brothers
The Flying Burrito Brothers
The Flying Burrito Brothers was an early country rock band, best known for its influential debut album,The Gilded Palace of Sin . Although the group is most often mentioned in connection with country rock legends Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman, the group underwent many personnel changes.-Original...
, a band that Hillman had formed a year earlier with fellow ex-Byrd, Gram Parsons
Gram Parsons
Gram Parsons was an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and pianist. Parsons is best known for his work within the country genre; he also mixed blues, folk, and rock to create what he called "Cosmic American Music"...
. Bernie would record two albums with the group, Burrito Deluxe
Burrito Deluxe
Burrito Deluxe is the second album by the country rock group The Flying Burrito Brothers, released in 1970. In between The Gilded Palace of Sin and Burrito Deluxe, the band underwent some personnel changes. Bassist Chris Ethridge left the band out of frustration at the band's lack of success...
and the post-Parsons LP, The Flying Burrito Bros. After its release in 1971, Bernie had tired of the band's lack of commercial success and decided to leave the band to pursue an opportunity to play with three musicians he had gelled with while moonlighting in Linda Rondstadt's backing band that summer. He would strike paydirt with this next band, the Eagles, who would launch his career and the country-rock genre into the stratosphere.
Eagles
Leadon was the last member to join the Eagles, a band initially formed by guitarist/singer Glenn FreyGlenn Frey
Glenn Lewis Frey is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and actor, best known as a founding member of the Eagles. Frey formed the Eagles after he met drummer Don Henley in 1970 and the two eventually joined Linda Ronstadt's backup band for her summer tour. The Eagles formed in 1971 and...
, drummer/singer Don Henley
Don Henley
Donald Hugh "Don" Henley is an American singer, songwriter and drummer, best known as a founding member of the Eagles before launching a successful solo career. Henley was the drummer and lead vocalist for the Eagles from 1971–1980, when the band broke up...
, and former Poco
Poco
Poco is an Southern California country rock band originally formed by Richie Furay and Jim Messina following the demise of Buffalo Springfield in 1968. The title of their first album, Pickin' Up the Pieces, is a reference to the break-up of Buffalo Springfield. Highly influential and creative,...
bassist/singer Randy Meisner
Randy Meisner
Randy Herman Meisner is an American musician and songwriter, best known as a founding member of Poco and the Eagles...
. Bernie is often credited with helping shape the band’s early country-rock sound, bringing his strong sense of harmony as well as his country, bluegrass and acoustic sensibilities to the group.
Upon the release of their debut album, Eagles
Eagles (album)
Eagles is the debut album by the rock band of the same name, released in 1972. The album was recorded at London's Olympic Studios with producer Glyn Johns. The album was an immediate success for the young band reaching #22 on the charts and going platinum. The album also released three Top 40...
, the group met with near instantaneous success, due largely to the strength of their hit singles, "Take It Easy
Take It Easy
"Take It Easy" is the title of a song written by Jackson Browne and Glenn Frey, and most famously recorded by the Eagles . It was the band's first single, released on May 1, 1972. It also was the opening track on the band's debut album Eagles and it has become one of their signature songs, included...
", "Peaceful Easy Feeling
Peaceful Easy Feeling
"Peaceful Easy Feeling" is a song written by Jack Tempchin and recorded by the American rock band Eagles. It was the third single from the band's 1972 debut album Eagles. The single reached #22 on the charts and is one of the band's most popular songs...
" and "Witchy Woman
Witchy Woman
"Witchy Woman" is a song written by Don Henley and Bernie Leadon, and recorded by the American rock band Eagles. Released as the second single from the band's debut album Eagles, it reached #9 on the Billboard Pop singles chart and is the only single from the album to feature Henley on lead...
" (co-written by Leadon and Henley), all of which highlighted Leadon’s multi-instrumental talent on electric guitar, B-Bender
B-Bender
B-Bender is a guitar accessory that enables a player to mechanically bend the B-string up a whole tone to C-sharp. There are several different designs, but all use levers or pulleys inside or outside the guitar body that are activated by a pull or push of the guitar neck, body, or bridge...
, banjo, and harmony vocals. Their follow-up, Desperado, was another strong country-rock venture highlighted by the classics "Tequila Sunrise
Tequila Sunrise (song)
"Tequila Sunrise" is a song written by Don Henley and Glenn Frey, and recorded by the Eagles. It was the first single from the band's second album Desperado...
" and the title track
Desperado (song)
"Desperado" is a soft rock song by the Eagles, an American rock band, written by group members Glenn Frey and Don Henley. It first appeared on the 1973 album Desperado, and has later appeared on numerous compilation albums although it was not a single....
, but was met by surprisingly lukewarm reviews and lackluster sales. As a result, the band attempted to distance itself from the “country rock
Country rock
Country rock is sub-genre of popular music, formed from the fusion of rock with country. The term is generally used to refer to the wave of rock musicians who began to record country-flavored records in the late 1960s and early 1970s, beginning with Bob Dylan and The Byrds; reaching its greatest...
” label for their third album On the Border
On the Border
On the Border is the third studio album by the Eagles, released in 1974. During the making of the album, the band experienced significant changes. As the band tried to lean towards a more hard rock sound, they felt that producer Glyn Johns emphasized too much on their country sound. After recording...
. In doing so, Leadon encouraged the group to recruit his old friend, guitarist Don Felder
Don Felder
Donald William "Don" Felder is an American musician and songwriter, best known for his work as lead guitarist for the Eagles from 1974 to 1980 and again from 1994 to 2001.-Early life and influences:...
to the band. The result was the guitar-heavy top ten hit "Already Gone
Already Gone (Eagles song)
"Already Gone" is a song written by Jack Tempchin and Robert Arnold Strandlund and recorded by the American rock band Eagles for their 1974 album On the Border...
". The album also included "My Man", Leadon's touching tribute to his old bandmate and friend, Gram Parsons
Gram Parsons
Gram Parsons was an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and pianist. Parsons is best known for his work within the country genre; he also mixed blues, folk, and rock to create what he called "Cosmic American Music"...
, who had died of a drug overdose the year prior at Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park is located in southeastern California. Declared a U.S. National Park in 1994 when the U.S. Congress passed the California Desert Protection Act , it had previously been a U.S. National Monument since 1936. It is named for the Joshua tree forests native to the park...
in southeastern California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
With the wild success of On the Border
On the Border
On the Border is the third studio album by the Eagles, released in 1974. During the making of the album, the band experienced significant changes. As the band tried to lean towards a more hard rock sound, they felt that producer Glyn Johns emphasized too much on their country sound. After recording...
and its follow-up smash, One of These Nights
One of These Nights
One of These Nights is the fourth studio album by the Eagles, released in 1975. The record's title song became the group's second #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100, in July of that year. The album released three Top 10 singles, "One Of These Nights", "Lyin' Eyes", and "Take It To The Limit". Those...
, tension within the band grew, as Leadon grew increasingly frustrated by the band’s direction away from his beloved country and bluegrass and toward AOR stadium rock. He famously quit the band in 1975 by pouring a beer over Glenn Frey’s head. He later cited a need to get healthy and break the vicious cycle of touring, recording and heavy drug use that was rampant within the band.
Upon his departure, Asylum Records
Asylum Records
Asylum Records is an American record label founded in 1971 by David Geffen, and partner Elliot Roberts, who had previously worked as agents at the William Morris Agency. Founded specifically to provide a record contract for Jackson Browne, the label signed Tom Waits, Linda Ronstadt, Joni Mitchell...
released Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975), which highlighted the band's Leadon years and went on to become the biggest-selling greatest album of all time, selling over 42 million units. Although this is sometimes disputed because Michael Jackson's Thriller is stil the best selling, non greatest hits album of all time. He was replaced by former James Gang
James Gang
The James Gang was a rock band formed in Cleveland, Ohio in 1966. Though the band was not a huge commercial success, except in the Northeast Ohio area, the fame garnered by guitarist Joe Walsh has since made the group more notable.- History :...
guitarist/singer, Joe Walsh
Joe Walsh
Joseph Fidler "Joe" Walsh is an American musician, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He has been a member of three commercially successful bands, the James Gang, Barnstorm, and the Eagles, and has experienced notable success as a solo artist and prolific session musician, especially with B.B...
.
Later career
Upon leaving the Eagles, Leadon retreated from the limelight, only to resurface in 1977 with musician friend Michael Georgiades for his first solo album, Natural Progressions.In 1985, he recorded an album of bluegrass and gospel favorites under the name Ever Call Ready, featuring Chris Hillman
Chris Hillman
Christopher Hillman was one of the original members of The Byrds which in 1965 included Roger McGuinn, Gene Clark, David Crosby, and Michael Clarke....
and Al Perkins
Al Perkins
Al Perkins is a Texas-born American guitarist. The Gibson guitar company called Perkins "the world's most influential Dobro player", and even began producing an "Al Perkins Signature" Dobro in 2001 - designed and autographed by Perkins....
, and also had a short stint with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is an American country-folk-rock band that has existed in various forms since its founding in Long Beach, California in 1966. The group's membership has had at least a dozen changes over the years, including a period from 1976 to 1981 when the band performed and recorded...
in the late 80’s. In 1993, he became a member of Run C&W
Run C&W
Run C&W was an American country music group composed of lead vocalist Russell Smith, formerly of the Amazing Rhythm Aces; banjoist Bernie Leadon, formerly of the Eagles and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band; along with Nashville songwriters Jim Photoglo and Vince Melamed, both of whom played various...
, a novelty group singing Motown hits "bluegrass style", recording two albums for MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
. In 1998, Leadon reunited with the Eagles in New York City for the band's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a museum located on the shore of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It is dedicated to archiving the history of some of the best-known and most influential artists, producers, engineers and others who have, in some major way,...
. All seven current and former Eagles members performed together on "Take It Easy," and "Hotel California". In 2004, he released his second solo effort in 27 years, Mirror.
He currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, where he is a well-regarded and well-respected session musician and producer, considered by many as one of the early pioneers of the country-rock genre.
Eagles songs written or co-written by Bernie Leadon
- "Train Leaves Here This Morning" from EaglesEagles (album)Eagles is the debut album by the rock band of the same name, released in 1972. The album was recorded at London's Olympic Studios with producer Glyn Johns. The album was an immediate success for the young band reaching #22 on the charts and going platinum. The album also released three Top 40...
(co-written with Gene ClarkGene ClarkGene Clark, born Harold Eugene Clark was an American singer-songwriter, and one of the founding members of the folk-rock group The Byrds....
) - "Earlybird" from EaglesEagles (album)Eagles is the debut album by the rock band of the same name, released in 1972. The album was recorded at London's Olympic Studios with producer Glyn Johns. The album was an immediate success for the young band reaching #22 on the charts and going platinum. The album also released three Top 40...
(co-written with Randy MeisnerRandy MeisnerRandy Herman Meisner is an American musician and songwriter, best known as a founding member of Poco and the Eagles...
) - "Witchy Woman" from EaglesEagles (album)Eagles is the debut album by the rock band of the same name, released in 1972. The album was recorded at London's Olympic Studios with producer Glyn Johns. The album was an immediate success for the young band reaching #22 on the charts and going platinum. The album also released three Top 40...
(co-written with Don HenleyDon HenleyDonald Hugh "Don" Henley is an American singer, songwriter and drummer, best known as a founding member of the Eagles before launching a successful solo career. Henley was the drummer and lead vocalist for the Eagles from 1971–1980, when the band broke up...
) - "Twenty-One" from Desperado
- "Bitter Creek" from Desperado
- "Saturday Night" from Desperado (co-written with Meisner, Henley, and Glenn FreyGlenn FreyGlenn Lewis Frey is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and actor, best known as a founding member of the Eagles. Frey formed the Eagles after he met drummer Don Henley in 1970 and the two eventually joined Linda Ronstadt's backup band for her summer tour. The Eagles formed in 1971 and...
) - "My Man" from On the BorderOn the BorderOn the Border is the third studio album by the Eagles, released in 1974. During the making of the album, the band experienced significant changes. As the band tried to lean towards a more hard rock sound, they felt that producer Glyn Johns emphasized too much on their country sound. After recording...
- "On The Border" from On the BorderOn the BorderOn the Border is the third studio album by the Eagles, released in 1974. During the making of the album, the band experienced significant changes. As the band tried to lean towards a more hard rock sound, they felt that producer Glyn Johns emphasized too much on their country sound. After recording...
(co-written with Henley/Frey) - "Hollywood Waltz" from One of These NightsOne of These NightsOne of These Nights is the fourth studio album by the Eagles, released in 1975. The record's title song became the group's second #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100, in July of that year. The album released three Top 10 singles, "One Of These Nights", "Lyin' Eyes", and "Take It To The Limit". Those...
(co-written with brother Tom LeadonTom LeadonTom Leadon is an American musician. He was an original member of Tom Petty's former band, Mudcrutch. He is the brother of Bernie Leadon, formerly of the Eagles....
and Henley/Frey) - "Journey Of The Sorcerer" from One of These NightsOne of These NightsOne of These Nights is the fourth studio album by the Eagles, released in 1975. The record's title song became the group's second #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100, in July of that year. The album released three Top 10 singles, "One Of These Nights", "Lyin' Eyes", and "Take It To The Limit". Those...
. This piece was used as the theme music for the radio, television and film versions of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the GalaxyThe Hitchhiker's Guide to the GalaxyThe Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a science fiction comedy series created by Douglas Adams. Originally a radio comedy broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1978, it was later adapted to other formats, and over several years it gradually became an international multi-media phenomenon... - "I Wish You Peace" from One of These NightsOne of These NightsOne of These Nights is the fourth studio album by the Eagles, released in 1975. The record's title song became the group's second #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100, in July of that year. The album released three Top 10 singles, "One Of These Nights", "Lyin' Eyes", and "Take It To The Limit". Those...
(co-written with Patti DavisPatti DavisPatti Davis is an American actress and author. She is the daughter of former President of the United States Ronald Reagan and Reagan's second wife, First Lady Nancy Reagan...
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Eagles songs with Bernie Leadon on lead vocals
- "Train Leaves Here This Morning" from EaglesEagles (album)Eagles is the debut album by the rock band of the same name, released in 1972. The album was recorded at London's Olympic Studios with producer Glyn Johns. The album was an immediate success for the young band reaching #22 on the charts and going platinum. The album also released three Top 40...
- "Earlybird" from EaglesEagles (album)Eagles is the debut album by the rock band of the same name, released in 1972. The album was recorded at London's Olympic Studios with producer Glyn Johns. The album was an immediate success for the young band reaching #22 on the charts and going platinum. The album also released three Top 40...
- "Twenty-One" from Desperado
- "Bitter Creek" from Desperado
- "My Man" from On the BorderOn the BorderOn the Border is the third studio album by the Eagles, released in 1974. During the making of the album, the band experienced significant changes. As the band tried to lean towards a more hard rock sound, they felt that producer Glyn Johns emphasized too much on their country sound. After recording...
- "On the Border" (co-lead vocal in the bridge ["Never mind your face, just show us your card"]) from On the BorderOn the BorderOn the Border is the third studio album by the Eagles, released in 1974. During the making of the album, the band experienced significant changes. As the band tried to lean towards a more hard rock sound, they felt that producer Glyn Johns emphasized too much on their country sound. After recording...
- "I Wish You Peace" from One of These NightsOne of These NightsOne of These Nights is the fourth studio album by the Eagles, released in 1975. The record's title song became the group's second #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100, in July of that year. The album released three Top 10 singles, "One Of These Nights", "Lyin' Eyes", and "Take It To The Limit". Those...