Died On This Date (January 19, 2013) John Braheny / American Songwriting Great
themusicsover John Braheny
December 9, 1938 – January 19, 2013
Known throughout the industry as “The Songwriter’s Best Friend,” John Braheny was a successful songcrafter as well as the author of to best-selling manual, The Craft and Business of Songwriting. Braheny began his career during the late ’60s as a recording artist – his only album, Some Kind of Change came out in 1970. S0me may argue that this album was the birth of the Laurel Canyon country rock scene since its “December Dream” was later popularized by Linda Ronstadt and the Stone Poneys. In 1971, Braheny co-founded the Los Angeles Songwriters Showcase which at one point or another showcased such future greats as Stevie Nicks, Dianne Warren, Janis Ian, and Warren Zevon. As a journalist, Braheny had upwards of 600 interviews and features published in numerous magazines and newspapers. In later years, Braheny taught songwriting classes at UCLA and other Los Angeles area schools. He also served on numerous music industry organization boards throughout his career. John Braheny was 74 when he passed away on January 19, 2013.
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