"Heartache Tonight", indeed...
In a time of catch phrase lyrics, and singers who can't seem to find a note without 'sliding' into it, Eagles' ballads were a refreshing change.
Take it easy, Glenn. R.I.P.
Well said.
The Eagles were, IMnsHO, quite simply the quintessential American band. They were musical innovators transiting uncharted ground, somehow morphing from a country / California amalgam sound into a "new rock" of the time. The Frey / Henley songwriting was unexpected and serendipitous magic, like that of an earlier young British duo from "across the Pond". Henley was a country-ish singer / drummer from Texas, Frey a pure rocker from Detroit. Add a guitar magician like Don "Fingers" Felder, then later add in one wacky Joe Walsh for good measure and yes indeed, that's a
band, complete with beautiful multi-part vocal harmonies and ready to rock.
Dating myself, I believe that I first saw the Eagles in live performance somewhere around the D.C. Beltway in 1977. Throughout their personnel changes, the Eagles always had the impressive ability to faithfully duplicate in live performance almost anything from their studio recorded material; I dunno how many bands could / can make that claim, then or now. I saw them several more times over the years, but perhaps only once or twice in the exit-Don Felder / enter-Stuart Smith later years.
Glenn Frey was always the hub of the Eagles wheel and the de facto "leader". He also arranged much of their music (referred to jokingly as "The Lone Arranger" by Don Henley in a interview retrospective some time ago). Glenn Frey was a rocker and his departure from this earth at 67 takes a lot of fun in 4/4 time along with him.
I always enjoy the guitar chords intro to
Take it Easy. Classic Glenn Frey, although the song originated with Jackson Browne. I adopted (via lawful online purchase) those opening bars as a ringtone when I first got a smartphone. Still love it every time I hear it --- but probably with a sense loss too, from now on.
Rest in peace, Glenn Frey. Thanks for your innovation, contributions and rockin', creating what was some of my favorite music in yesteryear; it remains so today.
