In my opinion, the Eagles peaked with the release of "Hotel California"... egos and issues seemed to arise with the passage of time...
It took over two years to produce and release "The Long Run"... the degree of perfectionism that had developed had heightened... even Don Henley and Glenn Frey were at odds with each other... supposedly, the single, "The Long Run", was about their relationship. Relationships within bands can't be immune from the problems of any other kinds of relationships...
Bernie Leadon had tired of the touring, demands on his time, and bickering within the group... supposedly, it peaked one evening, in 1975, when, in an argument with Frey, he poured his beer over Frey's head and quit. Of course, he was promptly replaced by Joe Walsh... and Life continued forward for all...
There was another breakdown of a relationship within the band... and that involved Eagle bassist (and my favorite Eagle), Randy Meisner.
Randy Meisner
Meisner was a wonderful vocalist... but a bit on the shy side... he said that he always preferred to be stage-right when they performed and out of the spot light. Unfortunately, one of Meisner's songs (that he wrote and sang) was a huge hit on "One Of These Nights"... and that song was obviously in rotation when they toured...
"Take It To The Limit"
Sing it, Randy!!!!
AUGH!!!!! You can almost see at the 4:00 mark that he looks tentative about his voice... that is when he started the falsetto... and at the 4:30 mark, he hits a home run with it...
The "Hotel California" tour was a hard one... and unknown to the public, there was a great deal of fighting and bickering going on between band members. Meisner was having health issues on this tour (ulcers and the flu)... and it culminated one night when Meisner refused to sing "... Limit" because he felt he wasn't going to be able to hit the high notes at the end of the song. One thing led to another, and Meisner announced he would leave the band after the last date of the tour. Supposedly Meisner said...
"All that stuff and all the arguing amongst
the Eagles is over now. Well at least for me."
Needless to say, The Eagles still perform "Take It To The Limit" in concert, but Frey sings the lead vocals... For the record, he can NOT hit those high notes!!!
Meisner had come to "The Eagles" from a band called "Poco," who promptly replaced Meisner with a bassist by the name of Timothy B. Schmit.
Well... when an opening for a bassist occurred with the Eagles, they promptly replaced Meisner with...
Timothy B. Schmit
Schmit is quite an accomplished bassist and vocalist as well...
This was his contribution to
"The Long Run" album...
"I Can't Tell You Why"
What a solo by Felder!!!!
Of all the videos associated with "The Long Run," this is my favorite video...
You can watch the video by clicking
Bickering... fighting... falling outs all ensued. The band broke up...
The Eagles were still under contract to their recording company... and owed them a live recording... the result of this obligation was this album...
No one was talking... communicating... and whatever collaboration occurred, did so at a great distance... I've read that the names of five attorneys are credited on the album.
... and it was over...
but you know better than that!
~shoes~
It dawned on me tonight... as I was going back through this before I posted it... that by getting all tied up in the writing of these 'Eagles' posts... that I've been hiding/avoiding/ignoring a bunch of hurt that has been taking place in my Life since the death of my sister back in October...
ReplyDeleteIn compiling this material for these posts, I see that everyone's Life has chaos/nonsense/bullshit in it...
How many people fight back? How many walk away?? Who wins??? I mean, WHO really wins????
I have been hurt by family members about as much as I can stand to be hurt by them...
As large as my family once was, today, I only recognize one brother... as far as I am concerned, the rest are dead to me.
I no longer care... I don't care... I can't care...
I have been so physically ill over the Christmas holidays... lung infection... I wonder if it's possible that some of that illness, isn't due to the stress and worry caused by family...
I was in my office this afternoon... preparing for a class that I was to teach... and one of my colleagues came into my office... she always has this look on her face when something is amiss...
This is the colleague that had surgery for breast cancer and was divorcing her husband... she has had such a struggle the past several years...
... and she wears this look that always tells me when something is wrong...
Her ex-husband... upon whom she relies for child support and financial aid for a daughter who is in college was fired from his job this afternoon.
She comes to my office to see me when these things happen... she always apologizes for coming to me and crying when things aren't right, but I assure her that I am complimented by this action... that she must feel she can trust me with her hurt.
So... we all have this... where we are hurt by others... or where we hurt others... and it plays out every day... each and every day.
Anyway... I can see where my involvement in writing these posts have been my way of dealing with crap in my Life...
I miss the goofy part of my postings...
My Muse...
Surely She is somewhere...
Thank you all for tolerating me...
~shoes~
Ah Shoes...you'll find your muse again. :) I'm sorry to hear you aren't well and hope you're feeling better soon! As for family, I often say to myself " I love them , but I really don't have to LIKE them."
ReplyDeleteSomething good will happen "One of these nights, one of those crazy lonely old nights..." :) Hugs!
Hey you...
Delete"One of those crazy lonely old nights..."
What a GREAT song that is!!!!!
Yes, something good will happen..
How are you, dear?
~shoes~
Jim, you ain't alone... As I told you, I distance myself.. As far as winning... does winning ever matter? How about overcoming the hurt? I guess you can call that winning... overcoming the hurt is more powerful... That's how one can get back either at others or better to show that the hurt they inflicted on you did not do what they intended it to do... Personally, I find other things to occupy myself... Why do u think I work my ass off in the garden pulling weeds? lol... of course its a good physical work out as well as a mental one.. + the yard looks damn good... dude, you're going thru the cycles of grief... its normal... My grief therapist told me to write letters to those that angered me, hurt, as well as to my husband.... it does not matter if you send it just writing helps... Too bad one of the Eagles hasn't read your posts on them.. They'd be smilin' for sure.
ReplyDeletebtw the only Eagles I have is On The Border... have u heard it?
DeleteHi there, Chris... "On The Border" is the shiznits!!!
DeleteI have heard that album!! That was the first album for which Don Felder was a member of the band...
As for family... fukkem...
I'm sick... and I don't have time for that!
:oD
How are you??
~shoes~
The Long Run is the only Eagles LP I ever owned. I didn't even remember I bought that one until this post.
ReplyDeleteHi there, Bathwater...
DeleteThey were well on their way to destruction by then...
Still some great music on that LP...
~shoes~
I don't know much about music but I'm glad I have your blog to educate me.
ReplyDeleteHi there, Stephen...
DeleteThank you!!
~shoes~
Mr. Red Shoes Dude,
ReplyDeleteMy human has that album! And he remembers Poco. Yes, quite similar to the Eagles.
I noted your powerful verbalisation in your comment. I hope that it gave you a modicum of comfort to get it out. Take care, my human brother.
Pawsitive wishes,
Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar!
Hi there, Penny...
DeleteHow is Gary?
Yes, Poco was quite similar to the Eagles...
Take care of yourself and have Gary give you a bone!!
arf arf...
~shoes~
First, about The Eagles. This was definitely a great album. And contradictory in some ways. It seems to be such a wonderful collaborative effort on the part of the band, but things that I have heard about how Frey and Henley maintained an iron grip on the band and made the rest feel like they easily could be replaced... well, it doesn't really lend itself to a team effort, does it? With that sort of mentality, it is no wonder that the group split. Feelings were hurt. And apparently some people were so mad that they poured liquids over other heads that they thought were too big. Ugghhh. It's a damn shame really.
ReplyDeleteAbout your comment... yes, I think that mental pain will result in physical pain if we cannot figure out how to release it and truly let it go. I hope that you find a way that works for you to really Be Okay with things as they are. That means not hurting over things in the past, things in the present, surrendering or accepting what is. And it being alright. Maybe when that happens you will feel better.
Hi there, Robin...
DeleteYeah, I am of the opinion that Frey and Henley are jerks extraordinaire... how they treated the other members of the band are just unreal...
I think I am starting to get things in perspective.
I'm going to be ok in the long run...
Thank you, dear...
~shoes~
Your last four blogs have been interesting and healing as well. Music does heal. No?
ReplyDeleteYour comment above is very heart warming that u are able to share with ur blogging friends whom care about u deeply. I think that in itself will help u. Just saying it or rather blogging about it.
We all have hurts and it is good for us to tell someone.
I had to let go of coworker whom I thought we would date. Blah--we both agreed. However, he avoided it for a month what he really needed and wanted to say. Finally, we resolved everything yesterday. Back to friends category. He apologized for flirty and then realized "I shouldn't hurt Dawn." So he backtracked. He is a whore dog. His words not mine. Nice guy but dates two to three women at a time. I was like I'm ok with us going back to friends. It was over before it started. Most guys realize they don't want to hurt me and they value my friendship more. Funny I hear that a lot. So maybe one day my muse will come along too.
I have been praying about it lately. Never done that before. Bring the man into my life that wants a relationship not a one night stand. I don't do those.
I hope u find ur muse too. It's tough being single. Much funnier to have a companion to share with--
Sorry that ur heart is still hurting about ur sister's death. My "adopted" mom passed Sunday night. It's tough. It does make u think about life though. No?
My motto that I live by: "Live and love like a dog in the moment."
Take care Shoes--
StormyDawn and Buttons
Hi there, Stormy....
DeleteThe mess with the death of my sister and subsequent property grab has just been so disappointing to me...
Things are going to be ok...
~shoes~
It's too bad great groups have to be plagued by bickering. It kind of ruins a good thing.
ReplyDeleteHi there, Sherry... yes, egos and bickering do mess up a great thing...
DeleteI hope all is well with you...
~shoes~
Hey Shoes, I just wanted to let you know that I dedicated something to you on Friday's HERE'S TO YOU post. I hope you like it:)
ReplyDeleteHi there, Ms Robin... I saw it! thank you!!
DeleteI totally loved it!!!
~shoes~
Ahhh yes... Ego... the thread that runs rampant through so much of the human fabric, and destroys so many brilliant, and wonderful ( or potentially so), relationships.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to be a shoulder, though I do hope you get that ick out of your chest.Winter. I'm filled with some kind of minor funk the entire season. Be well brother.
Hi there, Steven... this being sick sucks.
ReplyDeleteThere are quite a few people who have been dealing with this mess for an extended period of time...
it SUCKS!!!
~shoes~