The Load Out/Stay - Jackson Browne (1977) 4/13/22

In 1977, Jackson Browne came up with a "Great Medley" to end his "Running On Empty" album...and just about every one of his live concerts thereafter.

It began with "The Load Out," which signaled the end of a concert...and ended with a cover of Maurice Williams & the Zodiac's #1 hit from 1960: "Stay!""

The medley not only featured vocals by Jackson, but members of his band, David Lindley and Rosemary Butler.

Billboard called it "spirited and Gospel-like." Cashbox praised the "effective guitar solos, easy beat and pleasing vocals."

When it was originally released as a single in 1977, only "Stay" was included, but radio stations almost immediately started playing the medley off the album.

After a while, Asylum Records got the hint and re-released "The Load Out/Stay" as one song--and then it charted quite well: #12 in the UK, #19 in Canada, and #20 in the US. Those are very solid numbers... but If there hadn't been a gap between releases, the medley most likely would have charted a bit higher.

"The Load Out/Stay:" the perfect encore for Jackson Browne, and a "Great Medley of the '70s!"

"Stay" (original 1960 version by Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs):