128. Jackson Browne / Running on Empty

[@jmcrae825]

I loved so many different bass players from the 70s only to find out they were all Leland Sklar😂😂

[@gregoryjamate5306]

I am so grateful for this video. I've been playing this bass line wrong for years with my cover band. It's good to see the correct way demonstrated first hand. Thank you Leland!

[@Christopher-jk9bj]

Back in 1978, me, my mom and sister went camping in Maine. As a thirteen-year-old I distinctly remember hearing "Running on Empty "blaring from way off in the distance from our campsite one night, and people talking. Now when I blare the record, it brings back great memories. R.I.P. David Lindley, one of the greats at his craft. And thank you Mr. Sklar, you are one of the greats at your craft👍

[@stratboy518]

Remembering David Lindley and with tasteful slide work on this classic. RIP. Aloha O’e.

[@dmolls]

I cannot move on without acknowledging Rosemary Butler’s iconic backup vocals, without which would make it a different song altogether, in my opinion.

[@thebreathalyzer]

Yeah, man. Her vocals make the song for me. So amazing.

[@mrbassslap8930]

Totally agreed. GREAT singer!

[@lelandsklar6363]

LIZZY VALENTINE Absolutely! Still singing great....

[@kendebeer9269]

My wife and I saw Rosemary sing last year in Ventura Ca. She did mostly Linda Ronstadt songs. Put on a great show...still bringing all the notes. Had tickets to her "birthday" performance but it was canceled due to the virus...

[@wrewlf279]

I went to the concerts 50% for Jackson Brown and band and 50% Rosemary Butler!

[@andyhall9288]

Must comment again on a favorite story I’ve told for 42 years as I’ve followed you. Jan ‘78 i was on the stage crew in Norman, OK. There was an ice storm but a great crowd and turnout. After the show you packed your base, grabbed some gloves and helped us load out the trucks - until the last truck was gone. I asked you what was the deal - and you kindly told me you wouldn’t sleep after a show unless you totally wore yourself out. Seen you many times since and always have that great memory. Carry on.

[@shable1436]

Real man right there

[@lelandsklar6363]

Andy Hall Loved being with the crew!

[@THEATREofPAIN270]

A Class Act ✌

[@russputin6294]

Hope you had it all set up to go before you came for Jackson's piano!! ;0)

[@Whipple1]

Russell Morris Now, that was funny! Well played...!

[@jwprimetime9795]

When I graduated high school in 92 my grandma gave me a $20 gift certificate to Specs Music. After I left the party I headed straight there and bought Running on Empty with it. This album means so much to me.

[@rwhitt1901]

It is a privilege to watch you play. Thank you Leland. Thank you You Tube.

[@whistlingfish]

Until you played this with the bass in front of the rest of the band, I never realized how much your riff is driving that song. It sounds like a juggernaut locomotive chugging down the track. Thanks for doing this one!

[@jesusislukeskywalker4294]

☝️❤️🙏 yes

[@TedBishop1]

" If I can get you to smile before I leave " Mission accomplished ! Thank you Leland !

[@gregtrimble7113]

Two of the best guitar solos ever. They take the song to a higher place

[@jonathanschatz2627]

Thank you! This was the first song I learned on bass (much easier arrangement) in 1980 when I decided playing bass would be much cooler than playing cello. I have followed and admired your playing ever since.

[@Sean_Farmer]

That is one of the best live albums ever made. It captures the energy and feeling of what it's like to be a band on the road back in the '70s. Thanks for sharing your memories!

[@nickfletcher4132]

I remember going to the record store, buying this album all those years ago, bringing it back home and going through the ritualised first play. Handling the album cover like a precious stone of some kind. The photography was brilliant. And the magic of imagining what it must have been like on that tour. Of course there was no social world media then and there was a mystery to be had about who the people were, their characters, the adventure of it all, the dream come true. Magical times man truly.

[@vishwanathrajarao565]

Absolutely relate to this. LP covers were so great everything was big and it was so nice to study the Album Artwork in detail and even read all the fine print.

[@bobmcgrew7219]

Very well said. Today's generation is really missing that whole experience.

[@rrboyd10]

I SOO get this... loved getting a new LP. when my daughter now got turned onto vinyl, i wrote up a bit of a 'vinyl-geek' history talking about how i read all the liner notes playing the new records, the local record store in my old home town (Boulder) would commission an artist to do a large 4'x4' canvas of the album covers in oil and hang the new cover art up around the store. Some how things are different now .. oh snap.. yeah i was 16.. maybe that was it....

[@vishwanathrajarao565]

Was catching up on the previous posts and found that Mr Sklar has talked about Albums and artwork in his post titled JT on May 27. Here is the link kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZTWY4Vsp5d-nNE

[@russputin6294]

Among my many regrets selling my original vinyl pressing (with the booklet insert and everything) when I replaced it with a "superior" C.D. copy. Oh well, the follies of youth.......... "Late for the Sky" was one of the reasons I bought a C.D. player at all as I was sick to the back teeth of lousy Warner Brothers paper-thin, snap crackle and pop pressings.

[@devaultd]

Merriweather Post Pavilion, August 27, 1977, Jackson Browne's "Running on Empty" tour. I was only 21 years old then, went to many concerts before and after, and that, by far, was the best I've ever been to. To hear those songs on that classic LP later without knowing of the recordings was awesome. I swear I could hear myself whistling on a track - well, not really, but I know I left there without a voice. I wish I could've stayed - just a little bit longer. Thanks for the memories!

[@winterlongone]

I was there with 3 HS girlfriends that night! When the album came out we were floored!!! We tried to figure out if we could hear ourselves...

[@ppratsnordelo]

Hey Lee my name is Pedro Prats; Bass Player, Sound Engineer and Bassfreak from Puerto Rico. Love what your doing with your channel, truly inspiring. Since you started your vlog I wake up everyday and the first thing I do is watch your video along with my morning coffee. I want to thank you for making this kind of vlog. Musicians also need to hear the kind of perspective on music and the music industry you bring. I also want to thank you for just being the the kind of person you are; I can really feel your humbleness through your videos and being one of the most badass bass players and studio musicians that you are (without ever even hinting at bragging which you very well could!) makes it even more evident of how cool of a guy you are. Love the stories and i really think you shouldn’t listen to those comments that say that you should just play. The stories give each video that spark, an extra mental image of how it all went down on the studio or on tour and then you get the great playing of the parts which I wouldn’t get hung up about the sound of the tracks cause the vlog’s about bass not mixing or tracking and what you play sounds great!Love your tone on all the basses you play!✊🏼✊🏼✊🏼. I have one question: what bass were you playing with Phil at the Knebworth 1990 and i guess throughout that tour? Its a dark green 4 string.....i think u also had an orange one? Anyway, much love and keep up the great work! PS. Love the immediate family and really enjoyed the Cruel Twist video. Great Upright sound! ✌🏽

[@peti802]

Mr. Sklar, thank you for demystifying such a glorious song. Just to watch your technique is a treat.

[@MegaDusso]

Lee, each and every one of these sit-down segments that you do is like bringing a critical piece of the music of our generation back to life, only from a very unique perspective that ONLY you can offer. It is greatly appreciated from someone who was very much a part of that era, and as to your having to re-learn some of the “oldies”, aY !!! It keeps your chops up !!! You da man Lee !!!

[@jasondesselles9168]

Leland, I love hearing these stories about these legendary tracks. Cheers.

[@GrampaPlaysDrums]

That brilliant bass line shows why you are a living legend.

[@kennet7837]

The bass is low in the mix on the record, so it's great to see how the line is played in detail. Thank you for doing these!

[@brettski2532]

👍Many thanks Leland for laying it down. Gotta recent bass gig. Studied the heck out of this video. This saved my a*s. The band said they never had a bassist that “played it right.”

[@chrispengraves6487]

Funny Leland is my father’s name Still sounds great even after 46 years thank you 🙏

[@jamesspradling1094]

Such an awesome player and person... You were one of the many fantastic players on the soundtrack of my youth growing up in the 70's. Hands down the BEST decade in music history to me!

[@peterlaflamme1382]

I SO MUCH enjoy you sharing these stories. You are an awesome player but more than that you seem like a really nice and genuine person. THANK YOU!!

[@douglasg.9271]

Absolutely awesome to be able to sit, and listen to you. It’s like you’re here in my living room. I can’t thank you enough for educating me on some of your musical history.

[@do8472]

Fact, I think you have played on every important song in my life. Thank you so much for sharing,

[@cherylprendergast6146]

As a supermarket worker,I want to say thank you for your appreciation of us on the front lines.Also,coming home after each shift I look foward to your interesting blogs.I saw you perform at the Saratoga Performance Arts center with the Running On Empty Tour.Keep up the great work,please.

[@Bricameron]

Leland. You are such a tonic. I’m so glad I happened upon your daily posts.

[@williamdaly1005]

What a great privilege to listen to these road stories.

[@deanallen927]

Thanks so much for sharing all this stuff. As a kid I used to stare at the album covers and imagine all the times that took place behind it all, and Running On Empty was great for that. So these stories are a real treasure. BTW I love that modded bass - VERY much a '70s thing.

[@stevemyers4218]

The Running on Empty concert at Blossom Music Center in Ohio was the best concert experience of my life. Thank you, Leland!

[@thelaterdazebluesband9847]

Such a remarkable bass player. After all these years I'm realizing I have been listening to your playing styles for decades. Thanks for sharing your stories with us. Your bass playing has been an influence on many!

[@davidgargiulo1012]

How original with the bass jumping up into the octave instead of crashing down on the 4th. I love that song. It means much to me.

[@yvoncormier9762]

4:50 Danny Tedesco's Wrecking Crew doc brought me here, Leland. So stoked you are still grooving like this. Thank you

[@jimford7057]

Leland , these videos you are doing are PRICELESS!!! Thank you so much!

[@DlundoBoston]

Those were the greatest times of rock & roll music! Wow!

[@steveb.1967]

Lindley! Thanks for sharing these Lee. Seriously. Music takes me back to a better time.

[@laurierken]

I *really* need to thank you from my heart for the music.. my life wouldn’t be the same without it. Thanks huge.

[@MagnaLume]

So glad I found your channel. You are living rock history Leland! The rhythmic engine room powerhouse of some of the best music in rock!

[@ChrisStevenson-fe2dl]

Thank you for doing this Brother what a treat, first time I saw you was at Pine Knob (70's) with James Taylor and you were all there, Waddy, Russ, You and Kuchmar James came out barefoot everyone was amazing but Waddy holy cow and you all looked so cool I thought it was gonna be a peter paul and mary gig but you rocked that place just brilliant Terrence(70's)

[@John-wr6yo]

One or two jackson songs that i was drawn to ,and that is about it. I think i appreciate the legacy of leeland sklars great talent and body of work more so than many,many successful artist of the era that bask in the limelight of success.

[@hublocker849]

I played bass on that song in a cover band in the late 70s into the early 80s. Loved playing that song. It has great energy. I didn't know about the octave lick until I saw this video. I don't have great ears for copying records, did not have the album. I lived in a one-room cabin with no electricity or running water anyway so I learned it off the guitar player after hearing it once or twice a this place. I pedaled on the One for the most part and it worked.

[@TheFireflyband]

I've been playing this song in bands for years and I too was surprised to see the Octaves !

[@boandersen2895]

Awesome. I am in Scottsdale, AZ for the season where I would go hear Mr. Dave and chat with him. I miss him.

[@matt82654]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for doing this one!!!!!! You make us all feel as if we know you personally! these videos are so good!

[@cgullcharlie]

Only Leland can make an octave one of the most tasteful and memorable lines of all time. The secret is the beard. It picks up signals from the cosmos and transmits them directly to his brain.

[@fusion2000]

Thank you for the wonderful stories AND the incredible music.....

[@dmolls]

Lee, I catch myself always coming back to watch you play on this clip for inspiration. From one bassist to another, your touch and pocket can bring tears to my eyes. Thank you.

[@opusgazelle]

I came to this late and now it’s one of my all time favourite cuts. So much feel and spirit. Lee you’re a legend!

[@neohomme]

I look at you, the way you feel into the music, the overall beat and the way, only a routinier can handle the soothing but constant hammering of the base lines, push a path as a ground alignment for the Rhythmen glide. Just the more I appreciate your lines, that contribute to the songs expression. Running on Empty, is My Song.

[@pamr4040]

Somewhere in a box of photos amidst my belongings, are several pictures of the stage before the show began...and the words, "The Section" are there! We saw you guys in Los Angeles (can't recall the venue) back in the day! When Jackson and the band did this song, I was blown away by Rosemary Butler's voice!! I still get chills whenever I hear her! They play this song in the overhead music at work, and it always brings a smile to my face (not to mention, wanting to sing along!)! Thank you for sharing this one with us, Leland...and for the backstory about the tour! Loved it! 🧡

[@leewilliamsinthedell]

When the world comes tumbling down I hope they dig this video up and base our history on this vibe.

[@Scrollermania1963]

Mr. Sklar,. Thank you for all the wonderful music, the stories. I remember hearing those songs in the 70's. Such an amazing time, with all the artist's that wrote so many amazing songs... Most of all Amen to the shout out to All our Front line workers, and especially to All the Nurses & Doctor's that have been getting us all through these difficult times...God Bless their hard work...🙏😎👍🇺🇸

[@loutielli]

David Lindley's tone on this tune is one of the best ever IMO. Great choice Lee. Thanks!

[@Xerokbyte]

I am 52 and just picking up a bass. Man, you're pretty awesome, what a great song. One of My favorites.

[@richardburchett]

Thanks for posting. I got to play bass and sing lead on this song at a recent tribute event where we put together a bigger band. This has always been a bucket list song that I never got to do b/c it requires so much instrumentation with the slide guitar, second guitar, piano and different voices. Our slide guitar player was so happy to be finally playing it too. It was just three minutes of bliss for all of us. I’ve always admired the bass playing on that live recording. So great to see it being played. Thanks again.

[@davidcudlip6587]

RIP David Lindley. You will be missed.

[@Mat1970Thompson]

Yes, thank you to all the front line folks! ALL of you are important.......from the doctors and nurses down to the cleaning staff that has to sterilize everything.

[@michaelstapleton9128]

What a great sounding record. It got hundreds of plays at my house. 🙂

[@ksgtrpkr]

I never get tired of this album! I grew up with these jams all over the airwaves. Love your memories and Thank You again for sharing!!

[@atticussfinch9001]

Yeahhhh! Thanks for recovering time with Jackson! Rekindling the days of my youth: You guys rocked and we rolled!!! Gettin’ older now-and this music and your stories remind me: “So what!”

[@Prof_Jeff]

Timely and amazing! Just yesterday I watched Russ Kunkel's drum video for Running on Empty.👍

[@J-DUB-F1]

40 some odd years later, you still get much enjoyment from playing that song, and the pocket is still there! :-) Big ups for those old Yamaha basses from the 70s. A family member and some friends played them. They always sounded great and had some of that P-bass grit and bark! ;:-)

[@YaelBedarshi]

Those videos are something to look forward to, it's the best part of the day :)

[@rogermiller8708]

Music has been the glue that kept many of our lives together, then and now. I love to hear your memories of those days from your viewpoint. Thanks again for taking us along for the ride. Best to you and yours

[@Curlysblues]

Thanks so much, Lee. I saw this tour at Santa Barbara Bowl! Yes, it was another highlight of the times. As an aside, the audience went crazy when David Lindley did "Stay", the old Maurice Williams hit. Let me add that I thought your playing on "Doctor My Eyes" was unsurpassed, along with Jesse Ed Davis' guitar playing. There was just such incredible DRIVE on that cut!

[@cherifshawky4846]

Love hearing the stories .What a great era the seventies were for live albums, so many classic live albums.thanks for sharing.

[@tomsoberlin]

I recall seeing Jackson Browne touring with his very young son. I worked security at concerts at the University of Cincinnati Field house. Loved the show.

[@dmolls]

Thank you. I have always loved that bass part, long before I knew it was you. So simple, yet it is everything that the song requires. Locked in with Russ’ kick, pedaling on “A”, running along like an ambient freight train. What an awesome foundation for Lindley to sizzle those neck hair raising lap steel licks!!

[@maccxoph]

Mr S.. you kill this! I've been working on this song for 2 hours now and think am almost there... until i slow down and really listen. Your groove is infallible. Thanks for the challenge. Your a great teacher and don't even know it...

[@giff06]

Saw that tour with Jackson Browne and the Section as the warm up. You guys were amazing. A pivotal moment at the Garden State Arts Center in NJ. Thanks for that memory Lee.

[@MemphisMike901]

Great video sir. Keeping that Brain working will keep you alive & Running!

[@brw9100]

My favorite Jackson Browne album. The Load Out is an anthem and Rosemary Butler's vocals on Stay are amazing!

[@jamesbuonassisi9741]

The nostalgia is making me cry. Thanks Mr. Sklar. You're the best.

[@cherrypickerguitars]

1978 Running on Empty! Your bass sound “defined” 70’s bass sound on that record! And.... you recorded so much in makeshift conditions! I was at the beginning of my music biz trip, then. I was the gofer at Thunder Sounds and Morgan Earle, too, mainly just hanging out cause they let me. I was sitting on all the lectures a friend was taking at Morgan Earle during his attendance at a paid Music Engineering course they offered. We were actually working. We were recording Ian Thomas’s record “Still Here” as part of the course, that Ian was a willing participant of. It reduced his rate, and he loved working with us young guys - very patient, funny man - God bless him! Anyway, we used that record of yours “Running on Empty” as the standard we hoped to achieve at that time. So many AWSOME memories! Peace

[@dmolls]

Agreed. Lee’ bass style defined the 70s as did James Jammerson and Carole Kay did for the 60s. Growing up I never imagined the all of this greatness was coming from such a small click who wound up being imitated the world over.

[@dougcampbell3593]

Loved this tune and the album when it released and still love it today! It was also the inspiration for the personalized license plate for my '69 Camaro SS ... RUN N ON ... great memories and this song always takes me there and puts a big smile on my face so ... hearing and watching your video has been a real treat and being a bass player myself, I know what you're saying ... amazing bonds can grow from playing and performing with other human beings ... and cherished memories from wonderful times spent together out there doing what you all love! Thanks for sharing this story ... felt real good taking the trip down memory lane with you! Please take good care, keep safe and stay healthy ... Cheers!

[@dianenave554]

Fascinating to watch you play the baseline! Again, thanks for sharing!

[@donniemoder1466]

Leland, enjoy your videos and hearing the backstories.

[@luvbasses5487]

This is a hugely revealing vid for ANY electric rock bassist who cares to pay attention. I always knew & could hear the natural A 440 structure of this tune here but never knew the octave was hit every time. See what I mean? I love learning new things…from the MASTER himself. Thanks for this!

[@mailmusic]

I know this whole album inside and out. I was first introduced to it I guess '76. My father had lung cancer and the family had to travel from Mobile, Al. to Jackson Ms. over and over again so my dad could get treatments at the V.A. hospital. I listened to this album on every trip we made. It was the perfect travailing music. I wore out the tape and the cassette player that i had. Thanks for the stories from the road with JB. Please tell more.

[@Gherson069]

I just discovered Lee played the Hill Street Blues theme. As a kid I used to flick my fingers on a seam on our tv couch to the bass line every time the intro was played. Great tune & series.

[@mrbassslap8930]

YESSAH! One of my All-Time-Favourit-Albums. It has just so much atmosphere in every single song!!! In the background you can hear the bus shifting its gears, while the musicians are playing and recording live really "on the ROAD". Amazing Record, i will love it my whole life. Great work!!! .... no, that really is BIG ART!

[@narmoortiz1831]

Memories of college running through my mind, back in the 80's, sometimes on empty but always enjoying the ride! Thank you Lee, always bringing the music of our lives!!

[@rickbaker4571]

That is the BOMB!! Le the Master, playing it with ease.

[@matsjonsson9492]

Maestro, there's nothing wrong with your mental faculties. Hell, I don't even remember what I had for dinner a week ago, and I'm only 65. Also, 'Running on Empty' is, in my opinion, the best live album ever recorded, and Jackson Brown is a musical diamond. All You Need Is Live.

[@philcaron]

You always do something that makes me smile! Thank you Lee!

[@michaelwillis6520]

I know im a little late but i just wanted to let you know that i love you brother from one bassplayer to another you are the crem dela crem thank you for playing with so much feeling for so many years ..love you brother;)

[@SulCoCrazy]

Lee my intro to you was as a kid watching endlessly the concert with you and James at blossom in 1979. What a band!!

[@TheJtobs9]

Since 1978 when I first heard this amazing album, I have always been jealous of the lucky people in the audience when this was recorded. Now I’m one of them & jealous no more. Thank you Leland. Rock on.

[@RolandJones559]

Running on Empty is one of my all-time favorite albums. I was very inspired by everything I heard. I appreciate the sharing of your memories Leland. You are an American treasure!

[@salyoutubepremium7734]

Mr. Sklar, you are correct. That Running on Empty album does stand the test of time.

[@mikeaustin4138]

Some of the best slide guitar work ever.

[@bluehousemusic844]

Now we know why this song was a hit: it is the running and driving bass line that gets it going - fantastic.

[@browne17098]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on ROE! As a longtime Jackson Browne fan this is certainly a treat. The "weird" part is that the songs were recorded during the Pretender Tour of 1977. What an experience it must have been to be at one of the 1978 ROE Tour shows--this was a little before my time. Your video on Doctor My Eyes has me listening to and focusing on the bass that you laid down; I'm pretty ignorant about music and truly love the information you provide here! Thank You!

[@mathumphreys]

This is so awesome watching the guy who played bass on a song I grew up with, play bass on the song!

[@artemisXsidecross]

Thank you for this continuing oral history of the music that for many of us is our immediate family. :) Add to that a bass playing lesson done by among the best. Life can be good.

[@marjocardon3051]

Nice ...I remember Rosemary Butler when she played bass....I still do...and remember being at the Baked Potato listening to the Section...I was blown away by the band and Lee on that bass....great musical memories...

[@davidelliott6608]

Thank You Mr. Sklar! Graduated Raritan HS Hazlet NJ 1980. Our summers were filled with music. WNEW FM playing Running On Empty, Frampton Comes Alive, Fly Like an Eagle, Hotel California among so many other soon to be classic albums. Feel very fortunate to have been surrounded by such amazing music at such an impressionable time. Never missed seeing you with Jackson Browne at the old Garden State Arts Center. Crystal clear memories of an amazing musical era!

[@rikconverse8726]

So much history, stories and fun memories!

[@gneveln]

Thank you so much for this and your other videos. I enjoy so much being able to easily hear bass parts that I laboriously tried to pick out while listening to the recordings

[@nightingaleofsorrow9349]

Just love this story Lee! I saw you guys at Summerfest in Milwaukee 77 or 78! I think that was part of the Running on Empty tour. Really left a mark on me as I was a novice folk singer at the time. Love the bus and hotel stories. Jacksons line where he says " about a half past 4 Ladanyi come knocking on my hotel room door says where's the cocaine I said its running all round my brain". That's a classic... 🎼🎵🎸