Bernie Leadon

Original Eagles member Bernie Leadon was perhaps the group's most underrated and valuable player from 1972 through 1975, as he alternated between vocals, guitar (acoustic, electric, and pedal steel), banjo, and mandolin, in addition to lending a hand with songwriting. Prior to the Eagles, Leadon was a country-rock pioneer, playing in the pivotal outfits Hearts and Flowers and Dillard & Clark before joining the Flying Burrito Brothers. Once he left the Eagles, he settled in Nashville, working as a session musician, producer, and songwriter. Born on July 19, 1947 in Minneapolis...