Originally Posted by
steve_e_dee
Hi Everyone,
What better way to post for the first time here, than sharing some thoughts about “History Of The Eagles”. As an L.A. native (still here and current in the entertainment industry), I’ve lived smack dab in the middle of Eagleland. Like all of you, I’ve waited years and years and years to hear stories straight from the horses’ mouths’, opposed to fired band members and unauthorized biographies (although I personally believe much as what’s been written in the past, including Felder’s book)
I thoroughly enjoyed watching this. At the end of last night, I wanted more… and sure enough, when tonight ended, I said the same thing...”More please”. The interviews were informative, the archive footage fascinating, and the music…well, that’s most important.
However, there were some issues I can’t shake. They aren’t make and break, and I hope I don’t get slammed, but wanted to share (note – I still loved it).
Firstly, Gibney and Ellwood could have done a much better job. I just don’t feel they captured how enormous this band once was. There just wasn’t that “1-2 punch”, if that makes any sense. I’ve loved their work in the past, but Pearl Jam’s Twenty, Scorsese’s George Harrison Docu and Tom Petty’s Running Down a Dream all had more power. I think they could have displayed their impact to society better than they did. We get 5-10 min about On The Border and One of these Nights, yet 40+ minutes about HFO? Huh?
Another quick point about the filmmakers -- No former band members were thanked in the credits. Nor was Jackson Browne, Bob Seger, Linda Ronstadt, Jimmy Buffett, Glyn Johns or anyone else. I find that disgusting and quite insensitive.
Secondly, this is a whole band. It is not called “Don Henley, Glenn Frey and the Eagles”. Many have said it here, and I completely comprehend Frey and Henley are the leaders (musically and otherwise), but I wish I saw even more insight from the former members… and others close to the band. Jackson Browne was really the only one with much insight, but I could rattle off a list of plenty in the know who could lend a statement here and there.
Thirdly, Don Felder. Full disclosure, I’m a big Felder fan. From all I’ve seen and heard (which is more than has ever been written), he got the shaft, plain and simple. While I still love Felder, I have to say I have changed my opinion a bit after watching this. Glenn’s simple statement about what he and Henley did while the Eagles were broken up is something I didn’t consider much until he said it. Frey is right…if it wasn’t for him and DH touring, playing the songs, etc, there might not have been nearly the success that was HFO. In some ways, I now think they are entitled to more, but there is one thing that cannot be denied – Felder’s guitar work is every bit responsible for Eagles stardom as Frey/Henley. You cannot put one ahead of the other. Hotel California, the opening riffs and the guitar work at the end --- Szymczyk said it himself – is what he is most proud of in his entire career. Not to mention is numerous guitar contributions. Felder is no saint… and after seeing this (and seeing him in a Q&A several weeks ago at the grammy museum), that was confirmed, but Glenn is a very….very close 2nd (and may even be worse). Felder’s and Frey’s selfishness and stubbornness canceled each other out, but both of those guys need to check themselves a little. However… it is Glenn’s band, and he said what he thought he had to say. If Felder had a brain, he would stop with the nonsense, end any lawsuits, maybe even reverse a couple in the past, and make an effort every 30-60 days until they crack and give it a try (which they will, because there’s money to be made, and people don’t go to see Steuart Smith…but the main lineup is a nice marketing tagline when almost everyone has already seen you in the last 7 years of touring).
Overall, I really liked it. True, from reading you may think otherwise, but that isn’t the case. It was fantastic. I’m just doing what I always do when reviewing something – take off the rose colored glasses and be honest.
Thanks all (let the flaming begin)
Steve
Final Note - someone said earlier, there’s three sides to a story - his, mine and truth. We’ll never know the truth part, but its clear that all the players (Azoff and Geffen included) are not saints. In fact, some may even be considered a scumbag (or worse). They are musicians who impacted our lives and became a soundtrack to each of us.
They aren’t gods… but I can see the resemblance.
Re: Eagles Documentary DVD
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