Jackson Browne Tests Positive For COVID-19: ‘You Have To Assume You Have It’

Doug Seymour – Jackson Browne
Weinberg Theatre, Scranton, Pa.

Jackson Browne has tested positive for COVID-19 and is recuperating from what he describes as “mild” symptoms at his Los Angeles home, the Rock And Roll Hall Of Famer told Rolling Stone. 

He believes he was exposed to the coronavirus when he traveled to New York City for the Love Rocks NYC benefit concert at the Beacon Theater March 7, which was streamed sans audience, and also featured artists including Cyndi Lauper, Dave Matthews, Warren Haynes, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks.

“As soon as I had a small cough and a temperature, I tested [for COFVID-19],” he told Rolling Stone. “My symptoms are really pretty mild, so I don’t require any kind of medication and certainly not hospitalization or anything like that,” he adds.

The 71-year-old singer/songwriter says he spoke out about his diagnosis to help spread the word about the coronavirus.

“So many people that have it aren’t going to be tested,” he says. “They don’t have symptoms, but they might have it and might be able to pass it on. That’s what younger readers need to understand: They need to take part in the global response to stop the spread. That means not going anywhere, not getting into contact with anybody, not seeing anybody.”

He says he quarantined immediately once he felt ill. “I’m in the middle of trying to call everyone I know to discuss with them how they are feeling and whether or not they have symptoms. You have to assume you have it. You need to assume that you in some way could very easily pass it to someone else.”

Browne is known for hits included “Doctor My Eyes,” “Running On Empty,” “The Pretender” and many more, as well as his environmental and social justice activism. In the last three years, he’s averaged 2,973 tickets sold per show and grossed just more than $217,000 as reported to Pollstar Boxoffice.