Eagles.... 3.0

[Jonny Come Lately]

I really do hate that this has happened. Really has caused division and infighting and a lot of other things I wished could have been avoided. It is very unfortunate.

I personally am upset, but not to the level of some, but IMO, they have every right to feel that way. It isn't unreasonable. As far as bias, we all are. You could have spun this many different ways and all groups of fans would have felt the despair of this announcement. But I hope that it all settles down soon. I hope.

I personally am looking forward to seeing Joe in May, but I can understand how someone would feel like not going to the guys shows because of the announcement. I feel like Tim and Joe while they aren't mindless and doormats, are less to blame than Irving, and as much as I hate to say it, Don. But I can sympathize with those who are upset at all of them and everyone involved.

I still have no idea who if anyone will be singing Glenn's songs. Surely they wouldn't do a show of just Henley and Walsh and Tim songs and completely leave out all of Glenn's songs. Then again, it will be hard to see others sing them so it's a damned if you do, damned if you don't kind of thing here. No good way to do it.

All in all, I feel it was a bad decision. They had the right to do it, but that doesn't make them exempt from criticism as others have said. And more power to those who are excited at this announcement. No ill will against you. But I feel like it really was the last thing the fans of the band needed - division and drama.

I really hope they will stop after these two shows, but in my mind and heart I know that is likely to not happen. I sure wish there was a rewind, pause, skip, and fast forward button to life, but alas it doesn't exist. That said I hope this eventually becomes a thing of the past and people will feel better about it all.

Okay, here goes... I've not posted in this thread until now. I didn't want to post anything until I felt the full picture became clear. I'm not going to lie, I am disappointed in Don (I'm not disappointed in Irving - I wouldn't have expected anything different from him). I'm also a bit disappointed in Joe and Tim, but much less so than Don, because they both joined a successful band, whereas Don was with Glenn in their early days at The Troubadour and was with him throughout the band's journey. To me, Don didn't have to say that the band couldn't continue without Glenn. He didn't have to say that the band wouldn't play again after the Grammys. I wouldn't have minded so much if he hadn't said those things, especially as his words are still quite recent.

I really do strongly agree with Austin on everything he says. I also strongly agree with chaim on his comment about what he feels is okay or not, if you are for it or even just okay with the situation I'm fine with that, just don't rub it in for people who are clearly upset.

A major part of what disappoints me is the context. If they'd agreed to reunite only for Don's birthday celebration concert, or even if Don's 70th came before these concerts. The big difference between the two is that I feel the audience at Don's birthday concert will consist mostly of fans like us. By contrast, the audience at the Classic Rock festivals is unlikely to be a 'specialist' crowd, and many of them may not even be there primarily for the Eagles. The other day I was listening to a couple of tracks from Led Zeppelin's Celebration Day and I thought 'that's the way to do it' - a one-off reunion with the sole emphasis on the one band rather than a festival audience and within reason creative freedom with the setlist. They did play Stairway To Heaven and Whole Lotta Love of course, but they also played songs they'd never played live in full before (Ramble On) or at all (For Your Life). With these festivals, I think a lot of the audience will want to hear the obvious hits like Hotel California and Life In The Fast Lane, and any material that is not 'classic' is unlikely to go down well. The handling of the situation probably only makes this more likely, as I think it's clear that a lot of us are quite upset by the way it's been managed but a lot of casual fans probably don't care.

I will try to balance this out by saying that I must admit I do wonder if Don's decision was to some extent influenced by the audience reaction at some of his solo shows. When I saw him last year, although I think he tried to hide it, I think he was probably a little disappointed by how indifferent much of the crowd seemed to the Cass County songs he played, whereas all of the Eagles songs got at least a big cheer at the end (The Last Resort got a standing ovation). I do think it is difficult for older rock artists to make much of an impact with their newer songs regardless of their quality, especially if they make an album that isn't in the rock genre like Don did with CC.

I guess you could accuse all of the artists playing the festival (or who played at Desert Trip, for that matter) of a cash grab, but the difference is that for most of them it is just another date on the tour so to speak. I really don't blame Fleetwood Mac at all for instance and it doesn't affect my opinion of them at all, same with all of the performers at Desert Trip. The single worst aspect of it though, is my suspicion that the aim is to pretend that the band will be just continue as before and hope that people have either forgotten Glenn or are too ignorant to be aware of his absence. I really, really hope this is not the case, but the extent to which Glenn was edited out of the video doesn't fill me optimism, sadly. I think his memory deserves better than this.

[Funk 50]

I went to sleep last night with Freypower's "reassurances" comment in my head. " a lot of it has to do with Henley and his 'desperate' comment and other reassurances that the band was finished" and I pictured Steuart Smith, asking Don Henley if his Eagles work is finished and Don telling him not to worry, you're not out of a job, just as Glenn had reassured Bernie after the last HOTE show. You can repeat that conversation for each member of the Eagles road crew.

Then I woke up the beautiful strains of JD Souther singing The Sad Cafe and I pictured JD and Don sharing the vocals, singing The Sad Cafe to Glenn this summer. You'd want to be there, wouldn't you?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOAEAzJyXww

[chaim]

I went to sleep last night with Freypower's "reassurances" comment in my head. " a lot of it has to do with Henley and his 'desperate' comment and other reassurances that the band was finished" and I pictured Steuart Smith, asking Don Henley if his Eagles work is finished and Don telling him not to worry, you're not out of a job, just as Glenn had reassured Bernie after the last HOTE show. You can repeat that conversation for each member of the Eagles road crew.

Then I woke up the beautiful strains of JD Souther singing The Sad Cafe and I pictured JD and Don sharing the vocals, singing The Sad Cafe to Glenn this summer. You'd want to be there, wouldn't you?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOAEAzJyXww

There are many other imaginary situations where I'd rather be. One is seeing Glenn still alive and performing with the Eagles.

[Glennhoney]

Did I miss something? Was a new album announced? Please link me to this announcement.

I know that money has been a factor for them for a long time - for Glenn as well. They've been criticized for that before by many. No one, not even the most ardent fan, thinks it was just about the art for any of them.

But there are some lines that shouldn't be crossed. Family shouldn't be sacrificed. Integrity shouldn't be sacrificed. In my opinion, the Eagles legacy shouldn't be sacrificed.

I thought Don felt the same way, from things he said - his now-infamous quote about greed and desperation was made less than four months ago. Right up until the announcement, I naively believed they wouldn't call themselves the Eagles.

I was wrong.

Please spare me the "It's what Glenn would want" line. You don't know that, so it comes off as an attempt to emotionally manipulate those who love him.

You know, some people here in the past have taken pleasure in criticizing the band and its members, especially Glenn and Don. I find it painful to do so.

This is true not only of the Eagles, but of Don. I don't enjoy criticizing him either. I have driven all over to see him solo because he is an amazing songwriter with an unforgettable voice. I was happy to drive 4, 5, even 6 hours just to hear that voice, feel it charge the air and vibrate straight to my soul. I loved him, too - don't dismiss me as "just a Glenn fan."

For years, I have poured an incredible amount of time, effort, money, and emotional investment into this band and its members. These sites are just the beginning. Those of you who know me know how deeply I have cared. I have been a fierce advocate of the Eagles when some of the contributors to this thread have insulted them, disparaged them. I fought for them. I adored them, and now...

My heart is broken.

No pronouncements about how I "should" feel will mend it.

As for the Remnants of the Eagles, nothing they do will mend it, either, and that includes name-dropping Glenn during these shows.

Last night, I tried to think of a way they could somehow make this right, some way that would allow me to love them again, because I want to love them again.

I couldn't think of anything.

As for those of you who are pleased by this development, more power to you. I won't tell you you're wrong to feel that way. I won't tell you that you shouldn't go to these shows. Do what makes you happy.

Just don't tell me I'm "unreasonable" and "unfair" for not feeling the same way you do.

AMEN....I could not have said it better...I might have accepted "Eagles Family or Friends" better...but just EAGLES makes me really sad....

[Dawn]

I went to sleep last night with Freypower's "reassurances" comment in my head. " a lot of it has to do with Henley and his 'desperate' comment and other reassurances that the band was finished" and I pictured Steuart Smith, asking Don Henley if his Eagles work is finished and Don telling him not to worry, you're not out of a job, just as Glenn had reassured Bernie after the last HOTE show. You can repeat that conversation for each member of the Eagles road crew.

Then I woke up the beautiful strains of JD Souther singing The Sad Cafe and I pictured JD and Don sharing the vocals, singing The Sad Cafe to Glenn this summer. You'd want to be there, wouldn't you?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOAEAzJyXww

Steuart Smith is a fine musician glad he got to collaborate, record and tour with the Eagles. It was a hell of a gig topped off with the Kennedy Center Honors. Love JD too. But no, I don't have any desire or interest in being there to see him share vocals with Don Henley on the Sad Cafe or any other song.

[Delilah]

I wonder if it was disclosed that these concerts have Cindy Frey's blessing and full suppport, that it would make some fans feel better and lessen the pain and disappointment. This may well be all Don needed to proceed with these shows. I'm not convinced he's aware that there is an outcry about this. How would he know? I was under the impression he doesn't follow social media; he's not going to find out by reading Anthropology Quarterly and watching PBS. I read somewhere that someone should have carried a protest sign to one of his shows about it; I doubt that occurred.

Also, tributes have been planned and carried out by non-spouses. I don't believe it's necessary for Glenn's widow to organize it. There was a tribute for Glenn that was put together at and by the Troubadour, I thought.

[Ive always been a dreamer]

With regard to question about The Sad Café performance, anyone who has been participating in this thread obviously already knows it has been answered here in many different ways. Surely, no one who has been reading this thread is insensitive enough to figure out how others feel about this. It doesn’t really need any further explanation beyond what has already been written, IMHO.

Delilah – To answer your post, I can only repeat what I wrote earlier in this thread. My feelings about this aren’t based on anyone’s wishes who is associated with the band, including Glenn or his family. I have always said as far as I’m concerned ‘No Glenn or No Don = No Eagles – as least for me. The way I see it, the band is bigger than any of the individual members. It’s the band’s legacy that I care most about. And everything I had heard from the band members since Glenn's passing had reinforced this. I’m reminded of one of the best lessons my mom ever taught me … ‘just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should.’ And all I can say is that, as the new curator of the Eagles’ legacy, shame on Don if he doesn’t understand that or if he isn’t aware of what the fans may be feeling.

I actually came into this thread to respond to some other comments, but once again, Soda and others have eloquently expressed just about everything I’m feeling.

I don't mean to speak for everyone, but I think the bottom line is that many of us fans are feeling betrayed.

[thelastresort]

I will try to balance this out by saying that I must admit I do wonder if Don's decision was to some extent influenced by the audience reaction at some of his solo shows. When I saw him last year, although I think he tried to hide it, I think he was probably a little disappointed by how indifferent much of the crowd seemed to the Cass County songs he played, whereas all of the Eagles songs got at least a big cheer at the end (The Last Resort got a standing ovation). ...

I agree with everything you else, and anything else I wanted to say some else has already said, but I will comment on this!

I concur with your point, though I wonder how much of that is to do with the audience he was playing to as opposed to what he played.

There was a strong small-town, rural, blue collar Texas sentiment to much of the Cass County material and the music itself is generally speaking very country; very strongly rooted in the part of America it was written about.

That translates really well if you live in Texas, or Arkansas, or Oklahoma. It doesn't translate if you live in Widnes or Stockport. England has never really done country-based music; the closest a mainstream British rock band ever really got to it was probably some of Led Zeppelin's folk output or the likes of the Stones's Wild Horses. Scotland and Ireland are a bit different as they still have very strong Gaelic, traditional roots in places, and that generally translates well into country music (see Garth Brooks's massive Dublin stint a few years ago).

If Don had played some of the harder stuff from Cass County, like No Thank You or Where I Am Now, it probably would have been better-received, like the classic and Eagles work was. Sadly, steel pedal solos and songs about trains thundering across the Texas countryside don't really cut it in North West England.

[Freypower]

I went to sleep last night with Freypower's "reassurances" comment in my head. " a lot of it has to do with Henley and his 'desperate' comment and other reassurances that the band was finished" and I pictured Steuart Smith, asking Don Henley if his Eagles work is finished and Don telling him not to worry, you're not out of a job, just as Glenn had reassured Bernie after the last HOTE show. You can repeat that conversation for each member of the Eagles road crew.

Then I woke up the beautiful strains of JD Souther singing The Sad Cafe and I pictured JD and Don sharing the vocals, singing The Sad Cafe to Glenn this summer. You'd want to be there, wouldn't you?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOAEAzJyXww

How nice to know that you think the feelings of Steuart Smith & the road crew (good grief) are of more importance than respecting the memory of Glenn Frey. Won't someone think of the poor, unemployed road crew. You got your wish for them, I guess.

In any case Smith isn't out of a job (or wasn't). He was still in Henley's band.

I was advised that I should rein in my criticisms of Henley. Perhaps you should consider that your gung ho 'isn't this wonderful' approach is coming across to those of us who are against this as incredibly insensitive.

As for the word 'reassurances' I make no apology for it. The band should have ended with Frey's death, and I believed that it had, was in fact 'reassured' that they would not play together without him. The word is correct in my perception of these events.

[Freypower]

With regard to question about The Sad Café performance, anyone who has been participating in this thread obviously already knows it has been answered here in many different ways. Surely, no one who has been reading this thread is insensitive enough to figure out how others feel about this. It doesn’t really need any further explanation beyond what has already been written, IMHO.

Delilah – To answer your post, I can only repeat what I wrote earlier in this thread. My feelings about this aren’t based on anyone’s wishes who is associated with the band, including Glenn or his family. I have always said as far as I’m concerned ‘No Glenn or No Don = No Eagles – as least for me. The way I see it, the band is bigger than any of the individual members. It’s the band’s legacy that I care most about. And everything I had heard from the band members since Glenn's passing had reinforced this. I’m reminded of one of the best lessons my mom ever taught me … ‘just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should.’ And all I can say is that, as the new curator of the Eagles’ legacy, shame on Don if he doesn’t understand that or if he isn’t aware of what the fans may be feeling.

I actually came into this thread to respond to some other comments, but once again, Soda and others have eloquently expressed just about everything I’m feeling.

I don't mean to speak for everyone, but I think the bottom line is that many of us fans are feeling betrayed.

Dreamer, the problem with this argument is that it is precisely what those who are in favour of this are saying. They don't seem to think that Glenn was of any importance because the magic word EAGLES overrides everything. I know what you mean, but that's not the way many are seeing it.