When Jackson last played York it spooked him - Charles Hutchinson finds out why...

Name: Jackson Browne

Occupation: Poetic country rock singer-songwriter and political activist

Born: Clyde Jackson Browne, October 9, 1948, in Heidelberg, Germany, to US Army parents. Jazz pianist father played with Django Reinhardt in Europe

Age: 56

Where and when is he playing in York next week? Sold-out show at £45 a throw at Grand Opera House on Thursday, 7.30pm. Only Yorkshire date of his autumn solo acoustic tour.

Last time in York: August 15 1996; found it "spooky" playing to subdued Barbican Centre audience

Early career snapshot: Moved to Los Angeles in early 1950s; joined Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, who recorded two Browne tracks for 1966 debut album. Re-located to New York, 1967, acquiring residency at Andy Warhol's Dom Club. Played guitar for Nico, writing songs for her 1968 debut album Chelsea Girls. Co-wrote The Eagles' Take It Easy with Glenn Frey in 1971

British hit: Cover of Maurice Williams And The Zodiacs' Stay, number 12 in 1978

American hits: Doctor My Eyes, number five, 1972 (Jackson Five cover version reached number nine in UK, 1973); Somebody's Baby, number seven, 1982; You're A Friend Of Mine, 1986 duet with E Street Band's Clarence Clemons

Best of Browne's albums: Late For The Sky, 1974; The Pretender, 1976 (written in response to wife committing suicide); Running On Empty, 1978; Lawyers In Love, 1983

Political records: Lives In The Balance, 1986; World In Motion, 1989

Last studio album: The Naked Ride Home, October 2002. More politics, scorn for shallow TV and mid-life thoughts on "all my expectations long abandoned"

Latest album: The Very Best Of Jackson Browne, Warner compilation

Out next week: Enjoy Every Sandwich: The Songs Of Warren Zevon, featuring Jackson Browne and Bonnie Raitt's cover of Poor Poor Pitiful Me

Latest honours: Founders Award, American Society Of Composers, Authors and Publishers, May 2004; honorary doctor of music degree from Occidental College, May 2004

Latest political activity: Performing on this month's Vote For Change tour, the anti-Bush, pro-Kerry musical platform, along with Bruce Springsteen, REM, James Taylor, John Mellencamp. Sang with Bonnie Raitt and Keb' Mo at tour finale in Washington DC

On the radio: For Everyman - The Jackson Browne Songbook, presented by Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2, Tuesday, 8.30pm

York tickets update: For returns only, phone 0870 606 3595.

Updated: 16:56 Thursday, October 14, 2004