Weasels are weasels and eagles soar

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“Eagles may soar in the clouds, but weasels never get sucked into jet engines.”

 

–

Attributed to both Jason Hutchison and John Benfield

 

 

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“He was the spark plug, the man with the plan. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of popular music and a work ethic that wouldn’t quit. He was funny, bullheaded, mercurial, generous, deeply talented and driven.

 

I’m not sure I believe in fate, but I know that crossing paths with Glenn Lewis Frey in 1970 changed my life forever, and it eventually had an impact on the lives of millions of other people all over the planet.

It will be very strange going forward in a world without him in it.

 

But, I will be grateful, every day, that he was in my life.”

 

—

 

Don Henley

 

 

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“90% of the time, being in the Eagles was a fucking blast.”

 

—

 

Glenn Frey

 

 

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What a sad morning it was when I read Glenn Frey, Eagles founder, guitarist & singer, died at the age of 67 in New York.

 

I have seen the Eagles several times in concert … all in their first incarnation pre ‘break up’ in 1980. <which I still believe was the best>.

 

 

In fact … I was fortunate enough to work their final concerts before they broke up.

 

One night at Santa Monica Civic <one of the last three of their Long Run tour> and then their final final concert at Long Beach Arena … a July 31st benefit concert for Senator Alan Cranston.

 

 

They were awesome.

 

 

My personal Eagles highlight will always remain hearing “I can’t tell you why” <sung by Timothy Schmit and co written with Frey> which remains one of my favorite songs I have ever heard live.

 

I knew at that time this was their “last” so it was special … but more importantly their music was special. They were good. It was not just that their songs were good … THEY were frickin’ good in concert. They were tight as a band and individually we great musicians and individually each voice was distinctive and strong. They were like the best of Poco, Buffalo Springfield, CSN&Y, Hollies and a couple other bands all wrapped up in one.

 

 

Just for the fun of it … here is the playlist of The EAGLES Live at the Civic Auditorium Santa Monica, California from Tuesday July 29, 1980 <they opened with an acoustic set>:

 

Saturday Night

After The Thrill Is Gone

Keep On Trying

Seven Bridges Road

Pretty Maids In A Row

 

 

—break—–

 

 

Hotel California *

Already Gone

In The City

The King Of Hollywood

Wasted Time

Lyin’ Eyes

I Can’t Tell You Why

Desperado

Those Shoes

Heartache Tonight

In The Long Run

Life’s Been Good

Life In The Fast Lane

1st encore:

 

 

Rocky Mountain Way (with Boz Scaggs)

 

 

2nd encore:

 

Sea Cruz

Take It Easy

 

3rd encore:

 

All Night Long

Best Of My Love (with J.D. Souther)

 

 

 

The concert was over 2 hours.

 

 

Look.

 

 

It is possible to not like Eagles music overall but I would challenge anyone … and I mean anyone to not like at least one song. Among their huge well written and crafted song portfolio everyone will find something they will like.

 

 

Look.

 

 

Frey was arrogant. He could kinda be an asshole at times. Or, as Don Henley described him … “He had an encyclopedic knowledge of popular music and a work ethic that wouldn’t quit. He was funny, bullheaded, mercurial, generous, deeply talented and driven.”

 

 

Put whatever label you want on Glenn Frey but, bottom line, the man could write a sweet melody. He credits his writing song skills to Jackson Browne <who lived in the apartment above – watch the fabulous Eagles documentary on NetFlix to see the whole story … I recommend part 1 … part 2 is kind of drags on a little>.

In fact … there are times I get a chuckle out of fate … I mean c’mon … what were the odds that Glenn Frey, Jackson Browne, JD Souther & Don Henley … all fantastic song writers and word smiths in their own right would be at one place at the same time?

 

That, my friends, is fate at its best.

 

 

And to have Don Henley and Glenn Frey as a writing duo? Yikes.

 

Take it Easy, Desperado, Lyin’ Eyes, Hotel California, Already Gone, One of These Nights <Frey’s own favorite Eagles track> are all worthy songs.

 

I liked his song writing. I loved his voice. I thought it was cool when he was a smuggler on Miami Vice.

 

 
I didn’t know Glenn Frey personally but I, as Henley, will be eternally grateful that he was in my Life.

 

Another Eagle soars where only weasels wish they could go.