u/Mrs_Phyton

Last November 15th, I searched for "Hotel California" to remember my husband RIP on his birthday with one of his favorite songs. As a fan of The Beatles and English rock bands, I confess that American bands weren't on my radar until my son introduced me to Metallica and Linkin Park. But this time, my YouTube search led me to a 45-minute video that I now know is part of the 1977 Capital Centre performance from the "Hotel California" tour—the one Henley tries to ban at any cost every time someone uploads it.

I watched it and was shocked. How could I have missed such a great band? I'm 62; theory says I should know them by generation…but no, I didn't know them beyond "Hotel California." I liked the track so much that I played it 100 times…until UMG banned it—or was it Don Henley? Anyway, I was curious, so I started investigating. That's how I discovered the band members, especially Randy Meisner, who impressed me the most, both with his voice and his looks, I have to say; their albums; the websites and accounts that post things; memorabilia; the band members' TV series; their solo careers, etc.

That's how I found the bootleg concerts from Houston and Seattle, the BBC performances, and other early shows, and I obsessed over the playlists suggested on the band's account and others, already having my own preferences (the good thing about social media is that you choose, not the radio), and I still listen to them at least once a day. Like any good old band, there are more recorded radio broadcasts of their concerts than videos, but they're there. So, like a kid, I find myself buying LPs and DVDs today for the first time in years, also to avoid getting banned… and that's the only thing that worries me.

As a new fan, I'm concerned that the band will be history soon and they won't capitalize on its powerful legacy with younger people. For me, the band's specialty is "playing better live than on the album," at least until they broke up in 1980, and that's why I consider those bootlegs essential, at least for younger generations to discover them. My metalhead son loves them. Why doesn't Henley release them legally as part of the band's legacy and on their own turf, instead of just trying to sell out fans like he does?

Sorry, but the way he approach the current setlist and lineup is too "adult" and "old-fashioned" for my taste. It's very yuppie. Very "un-rock." Walsh "the tough guy" is softer in the Eagles. You miss the hippie enthusiasm of the beginning. They even abandoned singing live and the beauty of imperfection, which doesn't happen much in this band, but it was endearing... one of my favorite moments from the Seattle concert was hearing Glenn say "Geeeeeeee" in response to the noise of a microphone.

Nobody expects an 80-year-old Don to sing like he did in his twenties, which is that he's the only one singing now (taking all the spotlight has its price, karma?), so some Lyp-synching is normal, but some honesty would be nice (I don’t like how Vince Gill do it). I hope they at least play... but how long will the band last if their best work is hidden from the internet? Young people don't buy records and can't afford Ticketmaster's prices... which, from what I've read, Asov has a hand in as manager.

For now, the best stuff is in the East. There are even full Walsh concerts! That's why I know he is more soft in the Eagles. Why don't we have the same privilege?

Thoughts?