Bernie Leadon

Bernie Leadon Biography

Bernard Leadon (born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on 19 July 1947) is an American singer, musician, songwriter and founding member of the Eagles, for which he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. Prior to the Eagles, he was a member of three country rock bands: Hearts and Flowers, 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 low-key, resulting in two albums (the first being a collaborative project with Michael Georgiades), with a gap of 27 years in between. Leadon has appeared on many other artists' records as a session musician. Leadon played with various Southern California bluegrass and country rock groups in the 1960s, such as The Scottsville Squirrel Barkers (with future Byrds member Chris Hillman), Hearts and Flowers, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and Dillard & Clark, featuring his work on dobro, banjo and mandolin, as well as guitar. 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 in 1971, dubbing themselves the "Eagles" as a nod to seminal folk rockers The Byrds. 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. He was also in a relationship with then-Governor Ronald Reagan's daughter Patti Davis. Leadon left the band in December 1975, reportedly announcing his resignation by pouring a beer over Frey's head. 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 might portray Leadon in any 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.