Music
Jackson Browne announces Bluesfest sideshows
Jackson Browne, one of the industry’s most unique and prodigious talents, is set to perform in Melbourne and Sydney following his performance at the Byron Bay Bluesfest.
The announcement has been met with widespread approval, with fans of the singer songwriter eager to snap up tickets to his shows at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall and Melbourne’s Palais Theatre.
The two performances will follow Browne’s much anticipated appearance at the Byron Bay Bluesfest, one of Australia’s – and indeed the world’s – best music festivals. Jackson Browne was part of the festival’s second artist announcement, which also included huge names such as Tom Jones and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds.
Jackson Browne perfectly fits the vibe of Bluesfest, which is described as Australia’s premier Blues and Roots music festival. Browne is known for his emotional, literate, honest and sometimes political lyrics and songs.
Major hits include Stay, Running on Empty, Doctor My Eyes, Somebody’s Baby and The Pretender. But in addition to his own impressive back catalogue of songs, Jackson Browne wrote or contributed to many other tracks performed by musical legends such as Joan Baez, Linda Ronstadt, the Byrds, the Eagles and Greg Allman.
One of the most fascinating stories is the tale of how the Eagles came to record Take It Easy, which was one of the bands best known and successful songs. Jackson Browne became friendly with Eagles band member Glenn Frey after the pair regularly attended open mic nights. Now neighbours, Frey heard Jackson Browne working on what would become Take It Easy. He loved the song and encouraged Browne to finish it. But when Browne said it could not be finished in time for his self-titled 1971 album, Glenn Frey offered to conclude the song and record it with the Eagles.
He did finish the song – starting with the lyrics: ‘…such a fine sight to see, it’s a girl, my Lord, in a flatbed Ford…’ – and the rest is history. Jackson Browne did eventually record and release Take It Easy, but it is now considered one of the Eagles’ quintessential hits.
But Browne’s star was already one the rise and the subsequent years consolidated him as one of the finest singer songwriters of his generation.
In his personal life, Jackson Browne is a committed activist and philanthropist. He was awarded the John Steinbeck Award for his environmental and social values in 2002 and in 2008 he was awarded the NARM Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award.
Jackson Browne has also been honoured for his work in the music industry with an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. He was inducted by the legendary Bruce Springsteen and three years later he was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
His various awards and the recognition he has received are due reward for his achievements and contributions to the industry.
The performances will feature his regular band members Bob Glaub (bass), Mauricio Lewak (drums), Jeff Young (organ, piano), Alethea Mills (vocals) with the addition of Greg Leisz (guitar, lap steep, pedal steel), and Shane Fontayne (guitars) and will feature classic hits as well as songs from his new album, Standing in the Breach.
Jackson Browne has not performed in Australia since 2009, making his upcoming shows events you simply cannot miss!
Jackson Browne Tour Dates
Byron Bay Bluesfest
Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm
March 24-28
Tickets for Bluesfest are now on sale
Click here to purchase tickets
Sydney Opera House – Concert Hall
March 28
Click here to purchase tickets
Palais Theatre
April 1
Click here to purchase tickets
My Ticketmaster presales for Jackson Browne at the Sydney Opera House and Palais Theatre begin at midday on October 22. General Public tickets are on sale from 10am (Palais Theatre) and 11am (Sydney Opera House) on October 23.
