Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Eagles reunion concert set right by a mistake

We watched the fascinating Showtime documentary "History of the Eagles" on Sunday night. I was never a big fan of their music, but for someone born in the 1960s, songs like "Take It To The Limit" and "Life In The Fast Lane" are an inescapable part of life, like the smog in LA.

And, of course, the band's story is as crazy and extreme as their music is mellow and polished. That fact alone makes the documentary great cinema. [The footage of Glenn Frey and Don Felder going at each other verbally during the band's final 1980 concert is shocking and priceless.]

Part 2 of the film takes up the band after they reunited for a concert tour in 1994. The first concert was a huge affair, to be broadcast on MTV. As the band takes the stage, the members, in voiceover, talk about how nervous and tight they were, it being 14 years since they played in front of an audience. And then, a few songs into the set, lead singer Don Henley forgets the words to one of their new songs.

And, rather than disintegrate, the band laughs at themselves [disclaimer: the following transcribed from memory and there will be errors].

"I can't believe you forgot the second verse," says Glenn Frey, smiling. "I thought you would forget the third verse."

"I know the third verse," Henley says, also with a smile on his face.

"Well, this is for television, so we get to do it until we get it right," Frey says.

And, from that point, the band relaxed and was comfortable playing together. For as professional and tightly-wound band as the Eagles, a mistake enabled them to forget their anxieties and enjoy the moment.

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