After wildfires destroy his Pacific Palisades home, Bernie Leadon finds creative renewal

The artwork for Bernie Leadon’s latest album immediately brings to mind his classic country-rock sound. The cover features a side view of the singer-guitarist – who helped start the Eagles – standing with his guitar on a hill, looking out over the bright lights of Los Angeles at night.

Leadon became very familiar with this dreamy, romantic scene during his long time living in the city. He was instrumental in developing a unique sound as a member of bands like the Eagles, the Flying Burrito Brothers, and Linda Ronstadt’s group – all of which favored music with a sad, country-tinged feel. The photograph, taken by Henry Diltz, was originally intended for a solo album Leadon started but never finished, 45 years ago.

He says including the photo on his new album, “Too Late To Be Cool,” isn’t meant to be a grand gesture. He’s always liked the image, and it represents his continued fondness for a time that brought him both global travel and musical success.

I recently spoke with Leadon, and he really captured the spirit of that late ’60s and early ’70s creative scene in L.A. He described the artists of that era as true cultural leaders – like the Pied Piper, they weren’t just making music, they were actively commenting on society and, more importantly, shaping the culture around them. He sees it as a really unique and special moment in time, and honestly, I have to agree.

Bernie Leadon, age 78, is currently at Warner Chappell Music in Los Angeles after recently signing a deal to promote his new music. The agreement will allow other artists to record and license his songs. Though known for his curly hair and distinctive mustache when he was in the Eagles, Leadon now sports a shaved head and hasn’t had a mustache since 1986.

Bernie Leadon’s new album, “Too Late to Be Cool,” is his first solo work in two decades. Released on Straight Wire Records, it echoes the sound of the original Eagles – the band he played with alongside Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and Randy Meisner.

Though not a main songwriter for the Eagles, Bernie Leadon started writing the song “Witchy Woman” even before he joined the band, while still with the Flying Burrito Brothers. Don Henley helped him complete it, and it became their first Top 10 hit, reaching number 9 on the Billboard charts.

From their start in 1971, The Eagles consistently created popular songs. They achieved massive success with their compilation album, “Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975,” which is currently the best-selling album of all time in the United States, having sold 38 million copies (Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” is now in second place). The album gathered songs from the band’s first four albums, during the time Bernie Leadon was a member.

I remember hearing that before coming to Warner Chappell, Bernie visited the spot where his old house used to be. It was heartbreaking – the wildfires this year completely destroyed it. He said it’s just a hole in the ground now, with only the burned remains of the hedges and a scarred eucalyptus tree left. But even through all that, he could still see the ocean and hear the waves, which he found strangely comforting.

A few months prior, he penned a song titled “Requiem for a Village” about his former neighborhood. Though never officially released, the song demonstrates both his sadness over the changes to the area and his renewed passion for expressing his feelings through music.

The song “Too Late to Be Cool” has a relaxed but steady rhythm, reminiscent of the Eagles’ early work with a touch of Creedence Clearwater Revival. Leadon says the song is about finding new motivation and direction. He explains that the first verse is about questioning his own beliefs and choosing to go his own way, ultimately leading to a sense of forward momentum.

The album also features upbeat tracks like “Just a Little,” which has a guitar riff reminiscent of The Rolling Stones, and the soulful, atmospheric “Go on Down to Mobile,” complete with a short but powerful guitar solo that showcases his signature style.

The album was recorded in Nashville at a home studio owned by Leadon, using traditional recording equipment and 2-inch tape. Glyn Johns, who previously worked on the first two Eagles albums and a portion of their third, produced the record. Building the studio itself had been a five-year undertaking.

As a songwriter, working on this project really unlocked something for me. I suddenly found myself writing a ton of material – easily twelve songs or more that I actually liked! When Glyn Johns came on board, we had a lot to sort through – initially around thirty songs. We whittled it down further to fifteen, then recorded fourteen or fifteen, and finally settled on eleven. It was a really enjoyable process of refining and choosing the best tracks. Honestly, I just love being in the studio and writing music, and this project let me do a lot of both.

The album features talented musicians from Nashville, including Tony Harrell on keyboards, Greg Morrow on drums, and Glenn Worf on bass.

According to Leadon, Nashville musicians are exceptionally talented and understanding. They can quickly nail down the right sound – often within just a few takes. This creates a raw, immediate feel, reminiscent of the classic recording sessions he experienced early in his career in Los Angeles, where musicians would simply play together in the same room.

The songs were recorded live, with all the musicians playing together in the same room. This approach was common for classic albums from the 60s, 70s, and beyond, creating a dynamic and spontaneous sound. Because each musician reacted to the others in real time, every take was unique and felt fresh, giving the recording a natural energy that listeners can connect with.

Greg Sowders, a senior vice president at Warner Chappell, notes that Leadon possesses a unique musical style and legacy that continues to resonate in various genres.

As a critic, I rarely encounter artists who truly reshape the musical landscape, but this songwriter absolutely did. According to producer Jim Sowders, he didn’t just write songs – he crafted hits, and more importantly, helped *invent* a genre. We’re talking about a foundational influence, stretching from the work of Dillard & Clark and the Flying Burrito Brothers all the way to the Eagles. He wasn’t just a player; he was a genuine innovator.

Leadon emerged during the early days of country-rock, a scene that predated the Eagles and had roots in the folk music boom of the late 1950s and early 1960s—before the Beatles became famous. As the 1960s progressed, artists like Rick Nelson & the Stone Canyon Band and Mike Nesmith (formerly of the Monkees) with his First National Band, helped develop this new country-rock style.

In 1968, The Byrds teamed up with country music star Gram Parsons to create “Sweetheart of the Rodeo,” an album that’s now considered a classic. However, it didn’t initially sell well, and when Parsons and the band performed at the Grand Ole Opry, the audience wasn’t enthusiastic.

Leadon smiles, explaining, “They grew their hair long, and while Gram Parsons deeply respected the country stars who performed at the Opry, the audience wasn’t accepting of it at the time. But a few years later, long hair became common, and that paved the way for Southern rock.”

Around the same period, Leadon began playing with Dillard & Clark, a band fronted by ex-Byrds vocalist Gene Clark and bluegrass banjoist Doug Dillard (from the Dillards).

Leadon quickly joined the Flying Burrito Brothers and played with Gram Parsons on their 1970 album, “Burrito Deluxe.” The band also performed at the Altamont Free Concert near San Francisco, a festival known for its violence, which Leadon describes as the complete opposite of the peaceful Woodstock festival.

After a year with the Flying Burritos, Parsons moved to the South of France to play with the Rolling Stones while they recorded the album “Exile on Main St.” He asked Leadon to join him, but Leadon declined. As Leadon remembers with a smile, he told Parsons he couldn’t afford to go because he didn’t have enough money and needed to keep working.

Leadon last saw the singer-songwriter while he was recording for a solo album. Shortly after, Leadon and the Eagles traveled to London to work with Johns on a new album. “We arrived in England to begin recording our third album and I found out about Gram Parsons’ death as soon as I landed,” Leadon recalls. “It was a really tough blow.”

Bernie Leadon honored a deceased friend with the song “My Man” on the Eagles’ 1974 album, “On the Border.” The song is a tender ballad, made even more beautiful by the band’s signature harmonies. Leadon sang about his friend, describing how his performances deeply moved people: “He’d sing for the people and people would cry / They knew that his song came from deep down inside / You could hear it in his voice and see it in his eyes.”

The country-rock sound pioneered by Leadon and the Eagles had a lasting impact, influencing both rock and mainstream country music. Even after the Eagles disbanded, their songs remained popular, as evidenced by the 1993 tribute album, “Common Thread.” This album featured country artists like Travis Tritt, Brooks & Dunn, Trisha Yearwood, and Vince Gill (who later joined the Eagles on tour) performing their own versions of the Eagles’ hits.

The Eagles became increasingly popular in the early part of the decade, which meant more touring and growing disagreements within the band. Eventually, Bernie Leadon left after a heated argument with Glenn Frey during a band meeting, but he didn’t leave right away.

Leadon remembers the meeting being dominated by one person outlining their ideas – ‘They kept saying what we were going to do next.’ He felt left out of the decision-making process and, feeling frustrated and acting on impulse, he threw a beer over the person’s head. Understandably, they were upset. About a month or two later, they had a frank conversation, and Leadon told him he thought it was best if he left the group. The other person actually agreed with him.

Following his time with the Eagles, Leadon continued to work as a musician. In 1977, he released the album “Natural Progressions” with guitarist and singer Michael Georgiades. He also became a sought-after session musician, playing on albums for artists like Linda Ronstadt, John Hiatt, and Emmylou Harris, thanks to producer Johns.

The Eagles disbanded in 1980, and Bernie Leadon largely lost touch with Glenn Frey. However, both Leadon and Randy Meisner came back together with the band in 1998 when they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. While he didn’t participate in the band’s reunion tours starting in 1994, he was asked to join their extensive “History of the Eagles” tour that began in 2013.

It happened after Leadon reconnected with Frey, something he now attributes to a letter he sent to the band’s other leader.

Leadon explained that opening the door and apologizing marked a period of reconnection with their history, encompassing 25 months of touring and two months of rehearsals. He recalls that at their final concert, the other musician gave him a warm hug and assured him, ‘This isn’t over.’ Sadly, it proved to be the musician’s last tour.

Frey died at age 67 from multiple ailments, including rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis.

He’s still in contact with the Eagles and describes their current relationship as strong. He recently texted Don Henley and spoke with the band’s manager a few weeks ago. When asked if he’ll ever perform onstage with the band he helped start, he simply says, “You never know.”

Getting back together with the band had a significant effect, and he’s now using that momentum to create new music. Right now, Leadon is actively performing and making music again.

Leadon, a husband, father, and grandfather, explains he’s ‘retired’ from music several times over the years. He’s found that taking breaks is really helpful, because constantly working can become exhausting. He doesn’t want to lose his passion for something he once loved. He believes artists need to experience life fully to have something meaningful to create.

2025-10-15 21:04

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