Randy
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Randy
Don Felder is my favorite Ex-Eagle. He is one of my biggest guitar inspirations other than Joe Walsh. He and Joe were my favorite guitar duo.
Bernie. One reason is that he came up with the catchy opening riffs/licks to no less than seven songs on the (first or second) best-selling album of all time . . .
I think Bill Szymczyk is my favorite ex-Eagle though he did come out of retirement to do Long Road Out Of Eden in 2007 and I guess doesn't qualify because of that. So much of that "Eagles Sound" is because of his untold hours in the editing studio both during and after the "takes". Same with Walsh's works and the James Gang before that. Bill doesn't get the public recognition he should get....but then not many "producers" do get that recognition. People tend to think the magic on records is pure talent from the band....and I'm not discounting that at all. But it takes someone who really knows what they are doing to take that live sound and get it laid down on vinyl or digitized onto a CD or DVD.
But I think the intent was to name an "ex" that performed on stage with band during concerts. Felder, Meisner and Leadon. For me, it would have to be Felder but NOT just because he was a virtuoso on guitar. His style is closer to what I identify with. Leadon is however, the most accomplished musician in my opinion. I think he could play a fishing line if he had to and play it well! Love his work on mandolin and banjo as well as guitar.
Meisner would get the nod from me on vocals of those three X's.
Take It Easy
Witchy Woman
Lyin' Eyes
Already Gone
Tequila Sunrise
Peaceful Easy Feeling
Best Of My Love
In the case of the first two songs, we know that in To The Limit J.D. Souther credited him with coming up with the opening of Take It Easy, and Don talked about the opening of Witchy Woman in the Very Best Of The Eagles booklet. As far as the rest of them go, Bernie played them, and J.D. said that he had a knack for coming up with those hooks, so I would assume they were his unless there was evidence to the contrary. Opening riffs don't have anything to do with songwriting credits, unless you're the organ player for Procol Harum . . .
If I had to choose my favorite ex-eagle, it would have to be Felder. He is so amazing at the solos and I love his style. I think Randy has a very unique sound to his voice. Bernie is very fun to watch on old videos, because he plays the banjo like it's second nature. Overall though, Don is my favorite ex-eagle.
But are we talking about the acoustic or electric riffs? At least for Tequila Sunrise & Lyin' Eyes, which Glenn co-wrote, those songs begin with acoustic strumming before the electric guitar kicks in. The same is true for Best Of My Love and Peaceful Easy Feeling. The truth is I wouldn't know so I would guess you are right.
The thing is I don’t think there is any concrete evidence for us to positively conclude that it was Bernie who came up with the opening riffs for all of those songs. I’m not saying he did or he didn’t - I'm just saying we don’t know for sure. Just because Bernie played those riffs doesn’t necessarily mean he came up with them. While I agree that everyone is free to assume and believe whatever they wish, to me there isn't enough information available to declare it as fact.
Take It Easy is probably one of Bernie's finest moments, that opening riff is legendary...and don't get me started on the guitar solo, probably one of the most recognizable guitar solos in rock n roll. Sadly, if you asked the common music fan who wrote it they'd tell you it was Joe Walsh :-x
Bernie Leadon is my favourite ex.
Lyin' Eyes does start with Bernie's brilliant electric guitar theme above Glenn's (and Don Felder's) acoustic strumming. Tequila Sunrise starts with Glenn's acoustic, but Bernie's electric comes in before the first chord chance, unless my memory fails me! (Also another acoustic, by Bernie I suppose, comes in.) In Best Of My Love Bernie's pedal steel comes in during the intro; in pretty much the same way as in Tequila Sunrise. There's also some electric lead work in the Peaceful Easy Feeling intro, but it's not as noticable as the Lyin' Eyes intro. I think these are the bits Scarlet Sun is talking about.
I've gotta go with Mr. Meisner on this one...
It all goes back to a little 10-year old Grey, a Stevie Nicks-twirling-twerp who was really getting into rock & roll back in 1982...every time the song "Never Been in Love" came on the radio, to quote Ms. Nicks, everything stopped!! :-o
I will always adore that song...and now I have the entire album...plus some more of Randy's wonderful songs on the old Eagles' albums :partytime:
I really don't remember Randy or Bernie that well so I'd have to say Don Felder...I was quite shocked and disappointed when I heard he was out of the group...
well...I think Randy was just a sweet guy.
soft spoken type.
Bernie...well he did alot for country rock sound..sorta the father of it I think JMO
while I respect felder for writing my fave song Hotel calif, i lost alot of it when he did the throw them under the bus of DH and GF in his book....
thats jmo folks
oh you're right about Felder...thus my very mixed feelings about him....
bren...I think everyone has mixed feelings about that dude.
I mean JMO you can be a genius and be a "jerk" or you can be dumb as a bag of hammers but be as sweet as pie.
I think he thought he was doing the right thing by writing the book and telling his side of things and believe it or not, DH and GF took the high road and didnt air their dirty laundry.
but if I started to rant ...or write a book...that would be a wholenother thread.
I think we can agree that Felder brings a lot of mixed feelings to most eagles fans. thee is no middle road with him your either on one side of the fence or the other..
BERNIE LEADON:rockguitar:
I guess being a sweet soft spoken guy is a prerequisite for being an Eagles bassist huh?...
maybe...but I love timmy more....
he blew me away when he talked about how much he missed his wife and he wrote a song for her.'what a guy
Mine would have to be Randy.
Don Felder, Bernie L eadon and Randy Meisner I like equally!
Felder's guitar brought the band to the next level. In fact, one of my favorite Eagle tracks was penned by Randy and Fingers being "Too Many Hands". My mom at first thought Joe Walsh wrote it and I said "it's Don Felder who wrote the music and Randy Meisner the lyrics". Felder wrote the music for "The Disco Strangler" and "Those Shoes" also which many forgot as well.
Joe Walsh was right on the money when he said "Randy never knew how great he was" and Randy was just an excellent singer/bass player. Shame he developed stagefright from being made to sing "Take it To the Limit"'s high note at the end. Left to his own device he could do it great but if made to do it, he got scared.
I also like Bernie L eadon as well. His songs were excellent and haven't heard a better banjo player.
I never knew this!! I LOVE Too Many Hands, musically and lyrically! Wow that's cool to know! I love Randy, he's my favorite ex Eagle (Joe being my favorite current one).
I can relate to him, i'm the same way...I can't do things nearly as good when someone tells me to and pays attention to it, but I can do it fine if I do it on my own, alone!Quote:
Joe Walsh was right on the money when he said "Randy never knew how great he was" and Randy was just an excellent singer/bass player. Shame he developed stagefright from being made to sing "Take it To the Limit"'s high note at the end. Left to his own device he could do it great but if made to do it, he got scared.
That's definitely Randy, his voice is just incredible.
When I first heard Take It to the Limit I had tears rolling down my face. The live version of that song gives me goose bumps every time I hear it.
Bernie is one cool guy and I love the way he plays the banjo.
Felder always amazed me with his great guitar play.
But none of that is as good as Randy Meisners voice!
My favorite ex-Eagle is ... wait for it ... Don Felder! Okay, given my avatar, I suppose that wasn't too surprising. But man, I just love his guitar playing!! :guitar: The man can play that rock and roll. Oh, wait that's... Nevermind.
Reading through this thread, I see it's kinda lonely over here in the Fingers Felder camp... It ain't nothin' like the Randy camp (you all be careful not to step on each other's toes!). Anyway, looks like I get to hang out with: Marco, eagleshenleyfan, rcknalwys, WalshFan88, MikeA, EaglesFanatic and zeldabjr. Cool!!
Perhaps some more people will join us :cheers:
Sorry, Turf, but I have to say it's pretty much equal for me!
You can hang out with me, too, Turf! We're all Eagles fans! ;)
No worries, VAisForEagleLovers! sodascouts, Cool!
You're both entirely too reasonable :D
Randy, Randy, and Randy!
Randy ( but of course if he hadn't left, we wouldn't have Timothy B)
Then Bernie
I really do not like Felder. He may have been talented, but in my opinion all I feel towards him is he tries to fling poo to make himself look better any chance he gets.
I think bernie.he was a man who always seemed to march to he beat if his own drum
Ya know, do things his way true to his heart
I respect that in a person famous or otherwise
:cheers: Cheers to Randy lovers! 8)
Randy is my ultimate favvie ex-Eagle. Love him and yes, cheers to Randy lovers!!
Randy is my favourite ex-Eagle as well :rofl:
Randy is mine too. He was just so cute!
Bernie. I like his voice and Bitter Creek is one of my favourite tracks. I also like the guitars on the first two albums (Bernie or Glenn, it doesn't matter). In the BBC 1973 concert, Bernie seems to interact well the Randy and Glenn as if he's giving them encouragement during the performance. Perhaps I'm just nostalgic for the original line-up.
In recent interviews Bernie seems so thoughtful and grounded and I particularly like that he has no regrets about leaving the band because if he hadn't, he wouldn't have his son. That's a man who knows his priorities.
Favourite ex-Eagle? Don Felder. Love him or hate him, he's a phenomenal guitarist and probably the best musician they ever had. Meisner a close second, he's the best vocalist they ever had; even if Don H. was a better all-rounder, for me Randy beat him hands down on actually specific ability.