Countdown to the Eagles!

The countdown has begun to the Eagles concert Sunday night in Fargo! A bunch of us (Beth’s family and my family) are converging on the Fargodome and we’re going to have a great time!

Just for fun, I’ve been doing a little research on the Eagles as a band and they have a very colorful past. Here are some interesting facts, written in my own words (not just copied from some article):

The Eagles have won six Grammy Awards spanning a 34 year time period.

They are members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Vocal Group Hall of Fame, and have been honored by the Recording Industry of America for the “Best Selling Album of the Century.”

Glenn Frey was born on November 6, 1948 in Detroit, Michigan. He moved to California in 1968 where met and was hired by Bob Seger. Frey soon met and became roommates with Jackson Browne and the two remain good friends to this day.

Don Henley was born July 22, 1947 in Gilmer, Texas. He moved to California in 1970 to record an album with his band, Shiloh. The album was produced by the lead singer of The First Edition, who went on to have remarkable success as a solo artist. His name was Kenny Rogers.

Glenn Frey and Don Henley auditioned for and became a part of Linda Rondstadt’s backing band in the early ‘70’s. In 1972, with Rondstadt’s encouragement, the two formed their own band, which they decided to call the Eagles, as homage to the Byrds.

After numerous line-up changes, Joe Walsh was brought into the Eagles family in 1975. The hard-partying lead guitarist, known as one of the best slide-players in the world, was born November 20, 1947 in Wichita, Kansas. He became a star in the James Gang in 1969, with hits “Funk #49” and “Walk Away,” and then went on to his own successful solo career in the early ‘70’s. His single “Rocky Mountain Way,” was a top 20 hit.

When the Eagles original lead guitarist quit the group in 1975, Henley and Frey called Walsh and asked him if he would be interested in helping on an album they were working on, tentatively titled Hotel California. Walsh brought in a riff which blew Frey away. The two worked on tune, which became known as “Life in the Fast Lane.” Walsh’s outstanding guitar work is featured prominently on the album and he was hired as the Eagles new lead guitarist. Walsh has been credited (or blamed?!) for steering the Eagles’ sound away from country and more toward rock.

Bass player Timothy B. Schmit is the “new guy.” Before joining the Eagles in 1977, was a member of the band Poco. Poco was made up of former members of Buffalo Springfield, featuring Neil Young and Stephen Stills (of Crosby, Stills and Nash fame). Schmit was known as one of the country’s premiere bassists when he was hired by Henley and Frey. He’s also known for his soaringly high vocal harmonies which became a staple of the Eagles trademark five part harmonies.

Each of these four original remaining members went on the successful solo careers as performers, writers and producers.

Here’s some interesting trivia about each:

• Although he’s known as one of the world’s preeminent guitarists, Joe Walsh is also plays oboe, clarinet and bagpipes proficiently.

• Timothy B. Schmit was a long-time member of Jimmy Buffett’s touring band. It was Schmit who coined the term “Parrotheads,” to describe Buffett’s die-hard fans.

• Glenn Frey guest starred on the 1980’s hit t.v. series Miami Vice and wrote the song “You Belong to the City” for the series. The Miami Vice Soundtrack was #1 on the Billboard album charts for 11 weeks.

• Don Henley has had the most successful solo career of any Eagles members. His albums Building the Perfect Beast (1984) and End of the Innocence (1989) have sold a combine 10 million copies in the U.S. alone. He’s had 12 top ten hits, including four #1 hits.

• Walsh recently toured as the musical director of Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band.

• Schmit recorded David Crosby’s vocal parts on the song “Southern Cross,” because Crosby was too strung out on drugs to make the recording session.

• Frey wrote “The Heat Is On” for the movie Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack. The song reached #2 on the singles charts.

• Henley is an avid environmentalist and created a several foundations to help underwrite ecological research and education, including the Walden Woods Project and Caddo Lake Institute.

• Walsh ran for President in 1980, on the platform “Free Gas For Everyone.” He did not win.

• Schmit helped ‘80’s superstar Richard Marx establish his career and sang backing vocals on Marx’s # 3 hit “Don’t Mean Nothing.” Marx is now a top producer in the music industry.

• The character “Russell” in the movie Almost Famous was based on Glenn Frey, according to director/writer Cameron Crowe. Frey also appears in the movie Jerry McGuire, directed by Crowe.

• Don Henley’s wife suffers from multiple sclerosis. He wrote the song “Everything Is Different Now” from his solo album Inside Job for her.

Looking forward to Sunday night! These guys truly are legends!