Welcome to another edition of Fallen Friday. I haven’t set it up in some weeks, so I’ll remind the newer reader/listener/fans… Fridays are where I get a chance to find music from a band that has had a great song, career, was huge, a one hit wonder, or just plain jumped the shark. With that, it’s time to take a trip back in time to when you’re about 5 or so and under the heavy influence of your parents.
I can remember my dad being a big music nut. Actually he still is. He liked classic rock for a long time, probably still does. He also had a penchant for eclectic stuff too. I can remember the Eagles though. Some of my earliest memories of music are the Eagles. I would venture a guess that before that my parents were into The Beatles. When you’re 5 you don’t think much about the music other than the fact that you probably move and sway to it. You likely stare at the speakers and wonder where the voices and sounds are actually being kept and why they’re not able to be seen.
I don’t know what concert ended up being my very first concert in my life. I recall a trip in a car through the countryside and we were very far from the stage. I don’t know who we saw, but I remember the lights. I remember how they changed and danced in the darkening evening. I may not have even been 5. It was a trip that my dad decided take, and I think it was just him and I. What a bummer to not know who your concert is as a child.
Over the course of growing up I know that the Eagles were a staple in the stereo so I can remember learning to follow along to the songs. Of course a few years later after I’ve decided I’m going to play guitar and be a musician myself, one of the ‘ultimate’ solos you can learn is in fact the one in this song. While attending Musician’s Institute there was a class I took about rock guitar solos and of course this was one of the ones we had to master. When it comes to one of the most thought out and well played solos – you don’t get much more mastery than this.
Interesting factoid that I learned in that class: The Eagles got their start as the backing band to Linda Ronstadt. They were put together by her manager. Smart man that guy obviously was. What a powerhouse of songwriting. So many great songs not only from within the band but eventually by all the members as solo artists. The one thing about their music is that it has an incredible ability to stand up to the test of time. I dare say that lots of musicians popular today still won’t have the longevity that the Eagles have. I can’t imagine what it takes to write music that touches on such a mass appeal and then has the integrity as well.
As a reader of Single of the Day I invite you to stay a while. Explore the past and tune in for the future. Remember you can check in, but you can never never leave. 🙂
If you are one of the few people left on the planet who does not own this song, then don’t let another day go by without it in your library. It’s a vacation you won’t regret being permanently on.
(** Disclaimer: If the Eagles label decides to check me into the Hotel, I’ll likely want to stay but in order to pursue my own career I’ll have to check out the audio from the server. The post will remain as a testament to staying power. **)