Local songwriter Jack Tempchin (Museum of Making Music)
Songwriter, Hillcrest

Did You Know…

By Frank Sabatini Jr.

…that the multi-platinum song “Peaceful Easy Feeling” by the Eagles was written by local songwriter Jack Tempchin while sitting at the former Wienerschnitzel at 101 W. Washington St. in Hillcrest?

The year was 1972, and Tempchin wrote a portion of the song while waiting for his hot dog order on an outdoor table that was dedicated to him. Decades later, then-Mayor Jerry Sanders declared Dec. 1 as “Peaceful Easy Feeling Day” in San Diego, which corresponded to the release date of the song.

Tempchin, who was never a member of The Eagles, today resides in Encinitas with an extensive resume of songwriting under his belt. Over the years he has performed with or composed songs for such notables as Linda Rondstadt, Jackson Browne, Patty Loveless, Tanya Tucker, and others.

As for that inspirational A-frame landmark from which he wrote the ever-popular mega hit, it has changed hands over the years and is currently a drive-through coffee shop called happyfastdelicious – all one word, all in lowercase letters.