Hearing a band live is the real test of their talent. Love this song--No autotuning, no earpieces... just raw talent that hits like a tidal wave-that was the music of the 70's.
Yeah, ear-pieces are a good thing and in no way diminish anything about the artistry. If anything they’re potentially better for players, audiences, and engineers.
+ Danny H. You are so right my man. In an enterview, jackson described this version and others that were similar, as " running down a train". Don't ask me what interview. There are so many.
@@marciajohansson769 This is Madison Square Garden, '79, the legendary No Nukes concerts! Check out Springsteen's contribution to those shows. Classic and legend don't do it justice.
September 6,1958 65 Still Rocking! Saw over 4,000 Concerts including Jackson Browne on The Running on Empty Tour Los Angeles! Thank you 🙏 Jackson Love ❤️ You !
i'm from italy and i'm 63 and i have the original vinyl album RUnning on empty buyed in 1977 when i was 16... i'm so lucky, thank you Jackson, Bruce, Bob, Jimi, Janis (and all others) for your legendary music......
The legendary Russ Kunkle on drums. He played on Carol Kings Tapestry and Joni Mitchell's Blue and James Taylor Fire and Rain along with all of CSNY's albums and toured with them as well, Dylan,Harrison, BB King and the list goes on and on. His drumming here is so good he makes a great song even greater carrying the fabulous beat!
I love this song. And this happens to be the greatest version ever recorded, at least to me. Everything about it, the backup vocals are amazing, his voice is amazing, and the energy is fantastic. It so much reminds of a different time in America. I miss that time.
I had to look up 3 live versions of this song before I found one with David on that lap steel. It's just not the same without him. Hearing "Running on Empty" without Lindley is like hearing somebody try to cover Zeppelin's "Moby Dick" without John Bonham.
Anyone who gives a sh*t about guitars knows who David Lindley is. He played many high end guitars but preferred the cheap dimestore ones because of the sound he could get out of them. The man was an absolute genius when it comes to guitars. RIP David. You may not be with us in person, but your memories and music will live forever!
I remember being a DJ on the radio when this album came out and thinking it was one of the best EVER !!! And 45 years (?) later it still ROCKS !!!! This was and still is indeed great Rock n Roll.
+ Chip. You may have misinterpreted the meaning of this song due to it's unusual presentation, not always commensurate or equivalent to the true meaning of the song. Jackson described this version as "running down a train". Running on empty" means more than running out of gas, but a great song however you interpret it. No harm meant.
This is one of two songs that can get me in trouble when I am driving. The other is the Eagles Take It Easy. When that opening drum lead in starts my foot is tapping the pedal in rhythm and I have no idea what my bspeed is.
Do you know who the background singer is? She has such a strong voice, it’s alittle familiar, I think I’ve heard her singing background on other popular old songs..
@@aprilstorm I didn’t recheck this , but you are probably referring to Rosemary Buttler. I think she sang primarily with Jackson, but I could be wrong. Could be wrong about a lot of things.
David Lindley, man. He was the element that moved many of Jackson's songs from to good tunes to immortal classics. Can't put a price tag on talent like that.
David passed away 3/3/23. I feel privileged to have seen him a number of times not just with Jackson but also with El Rayo X and with Ry Cooder and doing duets with a drummer/ percussionist.
@@goodun2974, hello again! Do you remember who the drummer/percussionist was? I saw him with a number of different d/p's over the years (e.g., Hani Nasser and Wally Ingram).
@@ellynmacgregor8210 , I've seen Dave play acoustic duets with both Hani and Wally; when I saw him with ElRayo-X (4 times) the drummer was usually Walfredo Reyes Jr (who went on to play with Santana and Chicago) but the last time I saw them, the drummer was a black guy named Rock Detrick or something sounding like that. When Dave and Ry played together, Ry's son Joachim was on drums/percussion (dumbek, mostly).
@@goodun2974 I had no idea that he died! I have been so busy with pointless everyday drudgery and somehow I missed the passing of a legend. I cannot tell you how sad that makes me to hear. His abilities were transcendent and he made so much of Jackson' music come alive. There will never be another like him.
17 years old and this song spoke to me. Graduated from high school in 1980, went in the military. Never went back to my small town. Being runnin’ ever since. From what I don’t know.
My favorite song of all time! Jackson Browne taught me about activism & fighting for what’s right. And then we have Rosemary Butler… One of the best female singers alive. I treasure every experience I’ve ever been lucky enough to have seeing him live. ✌️🫶
this whole band is really hot, a freaking bunch of all-stars bringing it live. Would have killed to have been there. David Lindley is a beast. Rosemary Butler and Doug Hayward on backing vocals. Just a great live version.
Back in the 90s I had a roommate who was a good songwriter and singer and at some point she moved to Los Angeles and after a while I was talking to her on the phone one day and she said she was taking vocal lessons and I said cool and she said remember the woman who sang back up during the chorus of running on empty? and I was like oh wow! I think you’re in really good hands.
He is a very nice man Jackson. Saw him by my house in Evanston Illinois back in the 1970s, in Stockholm in the 1980s, NYC in the 1990s and now have had the privilege and pleasure to get know the man in question on a friendship level. A great performer., musician and songwriter in every which way. His story is a part of the Americana soul that permeates the best things America stands for.
Agreed. Hard to believe (and a huge opportunity wasted) that they didn’t film the tour that lead to ROE! Very few decent live versions of JB doing this with most of the original band. This is the best version.
I saw him in 79 for the Running on Empty tour in Niagara Falls. I am 60 now and my job requires me to travel across the US. I always play this album first when I get in my car to leave home. There is not a better album to describe the life on the road.
David Lindley was so brilliant. Saw him many times with Jackson. And several times solo. Even got to chat with him a couple times. Fantastic musician. Sweet person.
last night I was double dating with my best friend in his 78-Z-28. Tonight I'm a Grandad. What the hell happened! :-) The class of 79 may be grandparents now. But, we still know how to have a good time! Sometimes we have to remind our kids of that fact.
Jackson Browne Guitar /Vocals Russ Kunkel Drums David Lindsey Lap Steel Bob Glaub Bass Craig Doerge Piano BIlly Payne Keyboards Jody Linscott Percussion Doug Haywood & Rosemary Butler Back up vocals Trivia…. Russ Kunkle played drums for both Jackson and James Taylor back to back that night. Original Running On Empty studio musicians and also touring Band members Danny “Kootch“ Kortchmar Guitar and Leland Sklar Bass played with James Taylor that night
One of my favourite songs of that era. Brings back fond memories. Thanks Jackson Brown. Rosemary Butler was a great back up singer then and still is. Beautiful voice. 😀 Russ Kunkle on drums. One of the all time greatest drummers. 👍 Who needs a whining, twanging , steel guitar when you have a class 1 Dobro player. RIP David Lindley.
When this song was released, it was a smash hit. Now, more than 40 years later, like most of Jackson Brownes music, it doesn't grow old. Like a fine wine, if anything, it only improves with age. 😁👍🍺
I've always loved this live version. The backup singers are great; the way the blonde hits "Runnin' Bliii...IIIIIIIND!" is actually what hooked me on this song. (Just found out her name is Rosemary Butler. She also sings on the version of "Stay" with Jackson and Bruce Springsteen. For me, she makes that song, too!)
Brings tears to my eyes, almost every time that I hear this song. " I see they're runnin' too ". Sometimes I have to pull over to the side of the road.
Over the last few months it's a song I often find cropping up on Spotify when I'm out cycling in the countryside and I always almost unconsciously end up in tears.
I'm the same ! I was single when this came out and we played it at my " party house " until there weren't any grooves left in the album ! Simpler times for me then , but great times . I think I owned two pairs of jeans and five t-shirts , broke by Tuesday from partying on the weekend and no bills , life was good !
The greatest thing about the video is that everyone involved looks they are having a great time performing and enjoying the song and working with one another. With the Cardboard Cutout Clones we get for performers today, who don't write their own songs, and can barely produce a product for video or consumption, it's a pleasure watching people who are passionate about their work and profession. A shout out to Rosemary Butler. If you look at it again, when they reach the point where she and Doug Hayward have finished their roles as Backups, she gives an upward motion of her left arm as if she is pulling the cord as the Stage Light blacks out over them. What a talented performer.
They really looked they were having fun but if you look closely you will also see the focus on their faces too as they were playing. These guys meant business and that showed in the performance. Simply incredible.
Where did these days go ??? Just listen to the "Crap" they give us today. Now I now what Hell is like !! NO Auto Tune, NO Strobe lights and special effects. Just PURE Talent. O'h, what I wouldn't give to go back to those times. Air was clean and Sex was dirty !! >
Russ Kunkel on those Drums!!! Bob Glaub on that bass sounds unbelievable and strong! What a tone. They were all at their best here! Must have had some extra energy from Audience that night. The feel from a large crowd in the right space, can make this happen. That woman on percussion is just dangerously good!. Rosemary, what can you say......
AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME! I was pregnant with my daughter in 1979. In fact, here in a few days (2019), she'll be 40! JB is one of the best singers/bands EVER! 1970's - My FAVE music era!
This is why you hear this live version of this song way more than the recorded one. This once-every-hundred performances that was so tight and spot-on and the crowd was so into it. Perfection.
Looking out at the road rushing under my wheels Looking back at the years gone by like so many summer fields '65, I was 17 and running up 101 I don't know where I'm running now, I'm just running on Running on (running on empty) Running on (running blind) Running on (running into the sun) But I'm running behind Gotta do what you can just to keep your love alive Trying not to confuse it, with what you do to survive '69, I was 21 and I called the road my own I don't know when that road turned onto the road I'm on Running on (running on empty) Running on (running blind) Running on (running into the sun) But I'm running behind Everyone I know, everywhere I go People need some reason to believe I don't know about anyone, but me If it takes all night, that'll be all right If I can get you to smile before I leave Looking out at the road rushing under my wheels I don't know how to tell you all just how crazy this life feels Look around for the friends that I used to turn to to pull me through Looking into their eyes, I see them running too Running on (running on empty) Running on (running blind) Running on (running into the sun) But I'm running behind Honey, you really tempt me You know the way you look so kind I'd love to stick around, but I'm running behind (Running on) You know I don't even know what I'm hoping to find (Running blind) Running into the sun, but I'm running behind Thank you
One of the greatest live performances I reckon. I'm 62 now & I used to love listening to that song on my ole cassette deck. Such fond memories it brings back. Never seen that before, thanks heaps for posting 👌🙏🎶🎸🙂
Running on empty, and No Nukes, are probably my favorite live albums ever, along with the Springsteen & the E street band live collection from 1975-1985. Jackson has been and always will be one of my favorite musicians ever. Jackson Browne was one of my first major concerts when I was about 10 or 11 years old. I just saw him live last week for the second time ever. I saw him live last week for my 16th birthday and I’ll never forget it.
I love this song and Jackson Browne. This song is about life yesterday and today. I.am so glad I glad I am part of this generation. God bless Jackson Browne
1979 My senior year in high school, a week before spring break in March, we saw them at The Omni in Atlanta Georgia. These guys played for 2 solid hours. Still have the ticket $7. It’s nice to be old now, to have been young then!!
Summer of '78 I was biking across Europe watching the road rushing under my wheels with this song in my head. 44 years later, I'm living in CA watching the 101 from my backyard. Never paid close attention to the lyrics until now and now I realize how music works.
WOW! Now that’s energy! Totally up tempo. I remember listening to this song as a kid and being completely moved and motivated! When I sing it I change the words to “in 85 I was 17” because it fits with my age. Gotta love it! 😎just insane how this video rocks
Heard this on a tv Commercial and have to go look it up I remember this song when I was14 what great music we had back then and as I stroll down the comments I don’t see none of us old school asking about if your here in 2019 hit like I’m not here for likes I’m here for the music and the band and to go back in time was born in the time where you played and made music not all this bull they are making now days lord bless the good old days rock lives on
Man, what a band. Russ Kunkel is back there killin' it on drums. David Lindley, Rosemary Butler, all those guys are awesome. What a time for rock n roll.
This song, along with Steely Dan's "Aja" 8-track was the soundtrack that helped propel me over four days of driving Interstate 80 home to Detroit in the fall of 1978 after a three year stay in California. Highway 101, the "Day on the Green" concerts. All of the growing up from 18-21. It's all here in this song. I even stayed one extra day before hitting the road when I had to tell everyone, "I'd love to stick around but I'm running behind".
I love this man. His music his hair his face .....everything. He seems like he just is so up front with emotions and communication. That's what women love
can someone please describe this incredible unique feeling that I get inside my heart when I hear this song and I recollect on the decades that have passed?
decades passed indeed..my very first concert was seeing Jackson Browne at Freeborn Hall , UC Davis May 1975. I was 16 and crazy in love with my late husband, he took me. We were together 41 years and he's been gone several now..life goes on but all the light has gone out the room..
