Favoring a relatively abstemious and reclusive lifestyle in comparison to some of his bandmates (nevertheless, according to bassist Chris Ethridge, he "loved to drink wine" and frequently exhibited science fiction films at the "Burrito Manor" shared by Parsons and Hillman in Reseda throughout 1968); intolerant of the group's infamously erratic live performances; and increasingly disenchanted by his exclusion from the creative process—including the diminution of his parts in released mixes and the summary rejection of his songwriting efforts—Kleinow eventually left the Flying Burrito Brothers in 1971. Despite this setback, the imprimatur of the band allowed Kleinow to enjoy a lucrative career as a session musician throughout this period. He appeared on albums by Joe Cocker ("Joe Cocker!", 1969), Delaney, Bonnie and Friends ("To Bonnie from Delaney", 1970), Joni Mitchell ("Blue", 1971), Billy Joel ("Cold Spring Harbor", 1971), Little Feat ("Sailin' Shoes", 1972), Little Richard ("The Second Coming", 1972), Frank Zappa ("Waka/Jawaka", 1972), the Bee Gees ("Life in a Tin Can", 1973), Yoko Ono ("Feeling the Space", 1973), John Lennon ("Mind Games", 1973), John Cale ("Paris 1919", 1973), Linda Ronstadt ("Heart Like A Wheel", 1974), Harry Nilsson ("Pussy Cats", 1974), Stevie Wonder ("Fulfillingness' First Finale", 1974 and "Songs in the Key of Life", 1976), Fleetwood Mac ("Heroes Are Hard to Find", 1974), and Leonard Cohen ("Death of a Ladies' Man", 1977).