Jackson Browne – Running on Empty

Catalog #: 6E-113  |  Side A Matrix: 6E-113-SIDE I-1A-2G  |  Label: Asylum Records

About the Artist

Jackson Browne is one of the defining voices of the California singer-songwriter movement. Born in Heidelberg, Germany in 1948 and raised in Los Angeles, Browne emerged in the early 1970s as a poet of the open road, romantic disillusionment, and social conscience. His introspective, finely crafted songs — delivered with a warm, earnest baritone — made him a cornerstone of the Asylum Records era alongside peers like the Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, and Warren Zevon. Albums like Late for the Sky (1974) and The Pretender (1976) established him as one of rock's most thoughtful and emotionally honest writers. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.

About the Album

Released in January 1977 on Asylum Records, Running on Empty is one of the most innovative and beloved live albums in rock history — and one of the most unusual. Rather than a conventional concert recording, the album was captured entirely on the road: on stage, in hotel rooms, on the tour bus, and backstage during Browne's 1976 tour. The result is an intimate, fly-on-the-wall document of life as a touring musician — the exhilaration, the exhaustion, the camaraderie, and the relentless forward motion. Produced by Browne himself with a raw, unvarnished warmth, the album reached #3 on the Billboard 200 and was certified platinum multiple times over. It remains a landmark of the '70s rock canon and a deeply personal artistic statement.

Highlights

• The title track Running on Empty became one of Browne's signature songs — a timeless meditation on momentum, purpose, and the road
• Features The Load-Out / Stay, a stunning concert closer that became an anthem for touring musicians and their fans alike
• Includes a soulful cover of Maurice Williams' Stay that showcases Browne's band at their most joyful and spontaneous
• Recorded in genuinely unique locations — hotel corridors, a moving tour bus — giving the album an unmatched sense of authenticity
• Features contributions from longtime collaborators David Lindley, Craig Doerge, and Rosemary Butler
• An essential piece of '70s Americana and a must-have for any serious rock vinyl collection

Record Condition

This copy has been carefully cleaned with a Spin-Clean record washer and stored in a new inner plastic sleeve. The vinyl shows minor surface scuffs consistent with age, but played flawlessly on a quality turntable with no skips. Minor pops and crackles were noted during playback — typical for a record of this vintage. Overall, a very solid player. The original inner sleeve is included as well as the booklet.

Jacket Condition

The jacket is in decent condition with visible wear on the spine and corners, as shown in the photos. The cover art and text remain intact and legible. An honest, well-priced copy for a listener who wants to spin one of the great albums of the '70s.

Grading Summary

• Record: VG (plays well; minor surface marks, light pops/crackles)
• Jacket: G+ (spine and corner wear; cover art intact)
• Includes: Original inner sleeve and booklet

All items are shipped securely in protective mailers. Combined shipping available — please inquire before purchasing.