Takin' A Walk w/Buzz Knight: Legendary Musician Bernie Leadon Reflects on His Remarkable Journey in Music—from The Eagles to Solo Music

Podcast: Takin' A Walk – Music History with Buzz Knight (iHeartPodcasts)
Guest: Bernie Leadon, musician (Flying Burrito Brothers, Eagles, Solo)
Date: January 2, 2026
Host: Buzz Knight

Episode Overview

In this episode, Buzz Knight takes a musical stroll with Bernie Leadon, founding Eagles member and genre-crossing guitarist. Together, they discuss Leadon’s storied journey from bluegrass roots and pioneering country rock, through foundational work with the Eagles, collaborations with legends like Linda Ronstadt and Gram Parsons, and the release of Leadon’s first solo record in over two decades, "Too Late to Be Cool." Bernie offers thoughtful reflections on legacy, creativity, community, and the evolution of American music.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Nashville Community, Mentorship, and Songwriting

• Community Support: Bernie expresses deep gratitude for the mentors and friends who boosted his journey, underlining the importance of collaboration in music.
  • “I have had a lot of great friends and people that were benefactors and advocates for me...nobody progresses without help, really.” (00:00)
• Nashville’s Songwriter-First Ethos:
  • “They have a catchphrase that they use: ‘It all begins with a song.’” (14:17)
  • Bernie draws comparisons to New York's Brill Building and LA’s folk/rock scenes, emphasizing Nashville’s organic community and mutual support.

2. The Making of "Too Late to Be Cool"

• A Return to Writing & Recording: Prompted by the Eagles’ 2013–2015 “History of the Eagles” tour, Bernie rediscovered his passion for songwriting.
• Working with Glyn Johns: Legendary producer and close friend, who also produced early Eagles’ albums, steered sessions using 16-track analog tape for a classic, focused sound:
  • “You have to make decisions, right, because there’s no room for 43 guitar parts or 17 vocals…” (05:46)
• Recording Philosophy: The record spans multiple genres, held together by Bernie’s drive for honest songwriting.
  • “There are a lot of styles I’ve played and studied, and so they seem to come out when they’re needed… Sometimes I start a song with a guitar riff, other times with words.” (41:13)
• Contented Spirit: The new material radiates reflective contentment, focusing on the present rather than the past.
  • “Let’s enjoy the day, be present here, get out of the past, get out of the future…” (46:18)

3. Musical Crossroads & Major Influences

• Career Turning Points: Bernie traces the arc of his career back to early benefactor Larry Murray and the interconnected West Coast music community, noting the importance of relationships and serendipity over isolated “big break” moments.

  • “Everything positive connection in my career – you can trace it all the way through.” (19:45)

• Graham Parsons’ Legacy:

  • Bernie credits Parsons’ mix of country, rock, R&B, and soul (Parsons’ "cosmic American music") for inspiring the Eagles’ own sonic blend.
  • “He added R&B influences also to the mix that he called ‘cosmic American music’... The Eagles also mixed in R&B with country and folk and rock and pop.” (22:40)
  • He salutes Emmylou Harris for keeping Parsons’ music alive.

4. Linda Ronstadt and Early LA Folk-Rock

• Cross-Pollination: Bernie recalls playing with Linda Ronstadt and the Stone Poneys before the Eagles, describing how musicians migrated between bands in a supportive, collaborative club scene.
  • “Some say we all came from Linda’s band and we did, but not all at the same time... we were all in the same musical community in LA.” (29:22)
• Ronstadt’s Power:
  • “She sings so full voice and loud, like no restraint, that I had to let my voice open up... She was unrestrained with her voice and just such a natural talent.” (32:20)

5. Iconic Album Art & Stories with Henry Diltz

• The First Eagles Album Cover:
  • Bernie recounts the legendary Joshua Tree photo shoot:
    • “We’re going to close down the Troubadour…drive 100-plus miles to Joshua Tree National Monument…light a fire, drink peyote tea, try to stay warm by the fire...” (34:53)
  • Diltz’s on-location style and collaborative creative process are detailed; Bernie reused a previously commissioned Diltz cover for his new solo album.

6. New Material and Reflections

• Exploring Styles: New album "Too Late to Be Cool" incorporates rock, ballads, jazz ("Everyone’s Quirky"), blues, and more, reflecting Bernie’s eclectic influences and love for diverse sounds.
  • “There’s a lot of different feels and flavors and…vibes. So that’s cool.” (42:03)
• “Too Many Memories”: Bernie unpacks the autobiographical meaning behind this new song:
  • “The second verse says, ‘I’ve lived many lifetimes in a single go.’... It’s not that there are too many memories, but there are things...still some things that have— that bother me or that bother a person... and so the song...the conclusion...just, finally, just face all the shadows and let it all go, like, melt like fog on the meadow...” (44:11)

7. Performing and Legacy

• Americana Fest: Bernie prepares to play at Americana Fest for the first time:
  • “...the show is relatively short...I’m going to play at least three Eagles songs...‘Hollywood Waltz’...‘Train Leaves Here This Morning’...‘Take It Easy’...” (47:50)
  • There’s thoughtful discussion on adapting the classic repertoire to suit his current voice and style.
• Young Bluegrass Revolution: Shoutouts to Chris Stapleton, Billy Strings, and others who are “expanding fast” and blending bluegrass with new influences.
  • “Bluegrass is a really good training ground...If they keep progressing...they go kind of beyond bluegrass and start blending it with other stuff...” (53:10)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Dream Walking Partners:

  • “If you could take a walk with someone, living or dead, who would you take a walk with?”
    Bernie: “Jesus Christ. And wherever it was would be up to him because...if he wanted to be somewhere else, you just take us there.” (04:00)

• On Recording "Too Late to Be Cool":

  • “He [Glyn Johns] just works so fast and smoothly. He makes decisions on the fly. And we recorded the 2 inch 16 track analog tape. So you have to make decisions, right, because there’s no room for 43 guitar parts or 17 vocals or whatever. So we got on with it.” (05:50)

• On Gratitude and Community:

  • “I have had a lot of great friends and people that were benefactors and advocates for me and helpers and mentors, and I'm just really grateful to all of them. Nobody progresses without help, really.” (00:00, 20:57)

• On Linda Ronstadt’s Vocal Power:

  • “I was the main harmony singer. And she sings so full voice and loud, like no restraint, that I had to let my voice open up or I would have sounded like a pipsqueak mouse next to her.” (32:20)

• On Letting Go of the Past:

  • “The conclusion of the song (‘Too Many Memories’) is just, finally, just face all the shadows and let it all go, like, melt like fog on the meadow, you know, just let it go. Just let it dissolve. Focus on today. Be happy. Don't forget to smile.” (44:57)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Opening Philosophy & Mentors in Music – 00:00–02:00
• Return to Music & New Album "Too Late to Be Cool" – 05:30–11:00
• On Nashville’s Songwriting/Community – 14:10–18:00
• Biggest Crossroads in Bernie's Journey – 19:40–21:50
• Graham Parsons’ Influence & Legacy – 22:30–26:00
• Linda Ronstadt & LA Scene – 28:50–34:00
• Henry Diltz and Album Cover Stories – 34:50–39:50
• Diversity of Styles on the New Album – 41:13–43:20
• Meaning Behind “Too Many Memories” – 44:11–46:18
• Americana Fest & Legacy Performances – 47:50–51:55
• Young Bluegrass, Billy Strings, Chris Stapleton – 53:10–55:15
• Final Reflections – 56:00–END

Tone & Closing Notes

The conversation is warm, authentic, and reflective—filled with gratitude and wisdom earned through decades of musical exploration. Bernie Leadon’s humility, sense of interconnectedness, and harmonic curiosity shine throughout. Fans of music history and creative process will find a treasury of stories and inspiration in this episode.

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