Bernie Leadon

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Bernie Leadon
Birth name Bernard Leadon
Born July 19, 1947 (1947-07-19) (age 60)
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Genre(s) Rock, Country
Occupation(s) Musician, Songwriter
Instrument(s) Guitar, Vocals, Banjo, Mandolin, Pedal Steel Guitar
Years active 1961 - present
Label(s) Asylum, Really Small Entertainment
Associated acts Eagles, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Scottsville Squirrel Barkers, Hearts & Flowers, Dillard & Clark
Website www.bernieleadon.com
Notable instrument(s)
Fender Telecaster

Bernard Leadon (born July 19, 1947 in Minneapolis, Minnesota) is an American musician, best known as a founding member of the Eagles, an American rock band. He has also played in other bands, including the Flying Burrito Brothers and Dillard and Clark.

Contents

[edit] Early career

In the mid 1960's Leadon attended Gainesville High School in Gainesville, Florida. One of his classmates at Gainesville High was Don Felder, who would years later be his bandmate in the Eagles. Felder was a member of a band called the Continentals with Stephen Stills of Crosby, Stills & Nash fame. Leadon ended up replacing Stills and joining Felder in the band, which was renamed the Maundy Quintet. An interesting note: in the 1966 Gainesville High School Yearbook the Maundy Quintet is pictured next to another Gainesville band destined for fame - Tom Petty and his early band the Epics. Leadon played 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, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and Dillard & Clark, in the 1960s, featuring his work on dobro, banjo and mandolin, as well as guitar.

[edit] Tenure with the Eagles

Introduced to the songwriting, singing and instrumental skills of Glenn Frey, Don Henley and Randy Meisner while all were members of Linda Ronstadt's backing band, 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. He also wrote or co-wrote several songs, including the band's second hit, "Witchy Woman."

Between 1972 and 1975, Leadon rose to stardom with the Eagles indulging in the rock-star life along the way. Leadon left the band in December 1975, reportedly announcing his resignation by pouring a beer over Frey's head.

[edit] Life after the Eagles

Since then, Leadon has played with numerous other country and bluegrass artists, including a stint with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. He is thought to be one of the members of Run C&W, a novelty group singing Motown hits "bluegrass style." Leadon released his second solo effort in 27 years, 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. It is not known who will portray Leadon in the planned Eagles biopic.

Leadon reunited with the Eagles' in 1998 in New York City for induction in the National Rock & Roll Hall Fame (with all six other current or former Eagles members), and all seven performed together on "Take It Easy," and "Hotel California".

[edit] Eagles songs

[edit] Eagles songs written or co-written by Bernie Leadon

[edit] Eagles' songs with Bernie Leadon on Lead Vocals

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Eagles
Glenn Frey • Don Henley • Joe Walsh • Timothy B. Schmit
Don Felder • Bernie Leadon • Randy Meisner
Studio albums
Singles
Compilations
Live albums
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