Bernie Leadon, Eagles Co-Founder, to Release First New Song in Two Decades
After a lengthy hiatus, Bernie Leadon, the original Eagles guitarist, is preparing to release a new song titled “Too Many Memories” on July 18. This upcoming track marks Leadon’s return to the music scene, following his last release in 2004 with the album “Mirror.” The renowned Glyn Johns, who previously worked on recording the Eagles’ earliest records, took charge of production duties for this new project.
Reflecting on his life experiences, Leadon expressed, “I’ve lived many lifetimes in one lifetime. I’ve lived in five or six different cities in America, on both coasts. … And the conclusion to the song is that I need to let it all go and melt like rising fog off the meadow. Ultimately, I do think we do have to let a lot of stuff go. We need to let resentments go.” These introspective thoughts provide a glimpse into Leadon’s creative process and the emotions he seeks to convey through his music.
Leadon devoted five days to recording eight tracks in his Tennessee studio. Collaborating with musicians Glenn Worf on bass, Greg Morrow on drums, and Tony Harrell on keyboards, Leadon opted for traditional analog recording methods to capture the authentic essence of each performance. “We did it all together, sitting in one room, looking at each other, listening to each other. … There’s a discipline that happens when you record that way,” Leadon shared, emphasizing the intimate and collaborative nature of the recording process.
The inspiration for Leadon’s renewed musical endeavors stemmed from his involvement in the History of the Eagles tour from 2013 to 2015. Reconnecting with the band after a lengthy absence since their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in 1998, Leadon expressed contentment with the current state of his relationship with the Eagles members. Having departed from the band in 1975 amid mounting tensions, Leadon now values the positive connection and ongoing communication with his former bandmates.
To mark his return to the music scene, Leadon is set to perform at Nashville’s City Winery on September 12 as part of the AMERICANAFEST festival taking place from September 9 to 13. As Leadon contemplates the fate of the other seven recorded tracks, he weighs the decision of releasing them individually as singles or compiling them into a full-length album. This upcoming show promises to be a significant milestone in Leadon’s musical journey and an eagerly anticipated event for fans of his work.