Posted on 03/26/2010 12:31:31 PM PDT by GSWarrior
When The Eagles were hot and ultra-happening in the 1970's, they were not considered country at all. They were really part of the California soft rock scene along with folks like Linda Ronstadt, Souther Hillman Furay and Jackson Browne.
Somewhere along the line, that all changed. Maybe in hindsight it started with a country tribute disc to The Eagles, "Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles," way back in 1993. Of course, The Eagles were shall see inactive for a long time until they regrouped and started touring again, eventually leading to the 2007 release of "Hell Freezes Over."
By that point, The Eagles were considered part of the country crowd- showing up at awards shows (The Eagles made their awards show debut on Nov. 7, 2007, when they performed How Long live at the Country Music Association Awards) and getting played on country radio.
And Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit have toured behind that album off and on for more than two years. It's going to continue again, this summer, of course, with a tour featuring The Dixie Chicks and Keith Urban. Obviously based on the opening acts, The Eagles continue going for the country crowd.
But it seems in their infinite wisdom to keep milking the CD, the group also is trying to milk their audience. It seems that a VIP package to a show is going for $850, at least the "5 Star VIP Package" is.
What does that get you? A ticket in the first 10 rows. Plus a pre-show party, including dinner & drinks. An exclusive Eagles gift. Hassle-free entrance to the venue. Crowd-free merchandise shopping. A 5 star commemorative laminate. An on-site host. Not to mention parking.
This is the same band that included Henley going super green (to his credit, I might add) over Walden Pond where Henry David Thoreau once toiled in the 19th century and having a conscious in general about a variety of issues (No Nukes for example).
Has the quartet's money gone down the tubes in the economic decline? Maybe they need a new financial adviser.
I have no problems seeing The Eagles. I hope to see them myself this summer, but hey guys it's tough times out there in case you weren't aware from your perch. Obviously no folks on the unemployment lines are going for the VIP tickets. I couldn't find out how much tickets were for other seats, but The Eagles tix have been priced sky high since they resumed touring.
Guess life in the fast lane has done a number on The Eagles and being kind to their fans in tough times.
Mojo Nixon Bump
I was never a fan of the Eagles and the first line of the article may nail it: “When The Eagles were hot and ultra-happening in the 1970’s, they were not considered country at all.”
They may not have been considered country back then, but knowing what I do about music now, and knowing that I hated all country music at the time, I can see why I didn’t like them.
However, I saw their Live in Austrailia DVD and bought it. They are now one of my favorite bands. I also finished the book “Hotel California” a few months ago (in spite of the title, it is not about the Eagles) and it really opened my eyes to the environment that created the whole scene back then.
The quality of musicianship in their live shows is remarkable. As a live musician myself, I really appreciate that.
Hotel California, all the songs on the album, pretty much pegged L.A. in the 70s.
And they did write the ultimate summer nostalgia song, Boys of Summer. Pretty sweet.
A lot of times, it isn’t the song that makes the genre, but the performance.
Not always - much hip hop is never going to cross over into CW and Taylor Swift seems to have a knack of making any song sound like it is sung by a disturbed 14 year old.
Off the top of my head, I do recall hearing Travis Tritt cover Take It Easy - I though it sounded so much like the Eagles that it may as well have been.
Of course, if most CW wasn’t essentially pop already, then a little pop with a twang wouldn’t be so bad. My market only has two CW stations - one is clearchannel - nuf said. The other seems to be trying to imitate clearchannel.
It’s like R&B/HipHop infiltrated Pop, so pop infiltrated Country and now those of us who really liked Country don’t have a home, at least on the FM airwaves.
Guess I’ll have to break down and get a PC in my workshop so I can stream some decent stations from TN or thereabouts.
I am in my 50s and I’ve never been to a rock concert. When I was younger, I was busy working and going to school, so I didn’t have time.
I’d change my mind and take the whole family if the Rolling Stones had a concert and I could get tickets and it didn’t break the budget. Meanwhile, there is always You Tube and the concert dvd I got my son for Christmas.
I’m trying to get my band to do “All She Wants To Do is Dance” and “You Belong to the City”. Those are great danceables.
Henley's good at appearing on neither side, but in concert he's one of the jerk rock & roller's who've taken swipes at George Bush to make points with the sheep in the crowd. He says he's an independent politically, for what it's worth.
And also for what it's worth, Supposedly Witchy Woman is about Ronald Reagan's daughter.
Boys of Summer. That’s the other one I want to do. Those three are my favorite Eagles songs. The live Austrailian DVD version of that song is really awesome.
I hold the Eagles responsible spawning the untalented Firefall.
My home and car are Eagles-Free Zones. The prohibition is absolute (inculdes solo albums) and enforced by me with extreme prejudice.
Did you think those sounds were real?
You were all scammed!
Whoaaa!!!! NO effing way I pay $850 or one red cent and they are the first act or anywhere in the stadium.
I will skip it. Thanks for the heads up.
“When Leadon left, and Meisner, they became commercial/rock/pop and the quality of music declined.”
My take as well.
I love that song!
I actually have 3 country stations in my area. All 3 are owned by Clear Channel, but headquartered in different cities.
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