Jackson Browne was born in Germany while his dad was stationed in the Army, but was raised in Los Angeles, where he made a name for himself in the '60s as a songwriter. After a few years kicking around the scene and gaining a reputation, he released his eponymous album in 1972. With help and support from the Eagles, Warren Zevon and others, Browne quickly became one of the decade's most popular, and defining, singer-songwriters. His mid-'70s albums 'For Everyman,' 'Late for the Sky' and 'The Pretender' are classics. By the end of the decade, Browne became heavily active in political causes, especially as an advocate against nuclear power. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, and has continued to make records that blend the personal with the political.