Yeah, except for the vocals, harmonies, songwriting, playing and production they really sucked.
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Meisner
- Thread starter krustwell
- Start date
Yeah, I love Bernie's playing, whether on guitar, steel, or banjo.
I always enjoyed that spot between country and rock, with bands like NGDB, New Riders, Poco, or even the Ol' 97s, which leans more to rock with country and even punk influences.
I won't say the Eagles are my very favorite band of all time, but I've always liked the band. Randy Meisner was a great bassist, an incredible harmony singer, and a great lead vocalist as well. Take it to The Limit was their first #1 hit. Unfortunately, I've read the Alpha Dogs in the band, Frey and Henley didn't give Randy more opportunities to have his songs recorded.
I've always admired Don Henley's singing. songwriting, - especially his lyrics, and he was kind of a rarity: A drummer who was a great lead vocalist.
As a beginning player I bought the Eagles Greatest Hits album and it's songbook. I had 2 friends in Junior High that were taking lessons, so we learned a few of their songs, so we could play together.
I went on to learn every song off the album, and I then started learning the songs off of Hotel California, which was a new release at that time.
A couple of guys about 10 years older than me had a gigging band when I was 18. Their bassist flaked out and one of the guys I started out playing Eagles songs with in Junior High recommended me to them, so my very first paying gig was playing in a Country Rock band, playing quite a few Eagles songs.
And I'm STILL playing those Eagles songs. I can't think of very many cover bands that I've been in over the decades that didn't play at least a few Eagles songs.
Like someone else posted, I've also played in one band where we learned a few of their lesser known songs that you typically didn't hear as much on the radio, such as Disco Strangler.
I've always admired Don Henley's singing. songwriting, - especially his lyrics, and he was kind of a rarity: A drummer who was a great lead vocalist.
As a beginning player I bought the Eagles Greatest Hits album and it's songbook. I had 2 friends in Junior High that were taking lessons, so we learned a few of their songs, so we could play together.
I went on to learn every song off the album, and I then started learning the songs off of Hotel California, which was a new release at that time.
A couple of guys about 10 years older than me had a gigging band when I was 18. Their bassist flaked out and one of the guys I started out playing Eagles songs with in Junior High recommended me to them, so my very first paying gig was playing in a Country Rock band, playing quite a few Eagles songs.
And I'm STILL playing those Eagles songs. I can't think of very many cover bands that I've been in over the decades that didn't play at least a few Eagles songs.
Like someone else posted, I've also played in one band where we learned a few of their lesser known songs that you typically didn't hear as much on the radio, such as Disco Strangler.
The vocals on the "Desperado" album are beyond belief. Back when I had to do a lot of singing I would sing along to the album over and over to try to keep my voice in shape. It's amazing what great vocalists the Eagles were. You just have to be born with voices like that. There is no way to fake it. Plus, how they wrote those songs for "Desperado" to make it such a great concept album--I don't see how they did it. Great artists through and through.
This is a masterpiece---
This is a masterpiece---
There are a BOATLOAD of bands in the Americana/alt.county vein, nowadays. Check out alt-country.com.
And also give The Avett Brothers a listen. I saw them live recently, and they were great.
The Meisner/Leadon years was the era that put them on the map. Those two guys are
enormously talented and were flowing with creativity during those years.
enormously talented and were flowing with creativity during those years.
For my 18th birthday my folks got me tickets to see the J Geils Band in Providence. Maybe my second "real" rock show. Opening band was the Eagles. "Take It Easy" was getting radio play, and pretty much the only thing I (or anyone else for that matter) knew about them. They were just kids - blue jeaned, t-shirted California hippie-jocks laughing and playing up a storm. Probably their very first tour. A very memorable first impression; especially, for me, Randy.
They almost stole the show from Geils. I say almost because the J Geils Band would rip the roof off, especially in those days. And they certainly did that night.
/rick
They almost stole the show from Geils. I say almost because the J Geils Band would rip the roof off, especially in those days. And they certainly did that night.
/rick
Funny, I was thinking about this tune a few days ago.
I won tickets through an L.A. radio station back in the early 80's to go the see the comedy show "Fridays" when it was on the air (it was like a west coast version of Saturday Night Live, but it didn't last; among others, I think Jennifer Aniston was one of the regulars.) Randy Meisner was the musical guest that night, promoting "Hearts on Fire" which was getting airplay at the time. Unfortunately, I gave the tickets to a friend of mine, so I did not make it to the show.
After a little work, I found it on the PPAC History website. September 9th, 1972 when it was the Palace Concert Theater.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
This picture was there as well:
And to round that out - their closer, Hard Driving Man. (runs from 4:40). Object lesson in how to rip the roof off.
Looks like tix were around 3,4, and 5 bucks at that time.
Also, I see that Timothy B. Schmit played the Palace with Poco the year before.
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Agreed. The Meisner years were the classic years.
True. If you're looking for a couple of egos that make Gene Simmons sound down right humble, read some Henley/Frey stories. Or just read Don Felder's book. It perfectly reflects everything I've read about "The Gods" from other sources.
While I was never a fan, I certainly walked away with a greater appreciation and respect for the group after seeing the doc. I still wouldn't consider myself a fan, but I do listen to their music (all I have to do is turn on the radio at any given moment) through a different lens than before, which was pretty much "Gah!!! This song again!"
And really good lyric writing too. Sometimes, truly great lyric writing. Better than anything on pop radio these days.
Holy shoot mon! Like stepping into a time machine. That's the date and the place. Thanks bro
The 99 cent movies at the Palace were a gas too; almost as good as the shows. Saw so many great bands in that beautiful old theater.
