The Eagles first album touched a cultural nerve in 1971, with songs like "Peaceful Easy Feeling" and "Witchy Woman," a prelude to the hits to come. And, the music never stopped. Despite mounting criticism from critics and fans alike, within five years they rolled those hits into one of the biggest selling Greatest Hits albums of all time.
But, a strange thing happened. The more they were loved by teens blasting "Take It Easy" from the rolled-down windows of their parent's car, the more they were hated by those who said they were too slick, too professional, and lacking the rough edges that revealed a chink in their armor. But, most of the ire was about something more personal; the songs lacked soul, the band lacked integrity, money drove their story. At least, that was the story.
And, 40 years later, it's still the story, provoked by a reunion that Henley swore wouldn't happen until "hell freezes over." Well, Hell Freezes Over is coming to a city near you.
The bigger question is why we're still fighting over The Eagles? Is it because they made catchy tunes or because so many other people want nothing more from the music than a catchy tune?
Or, is it because they betrayed a generation who looked to music to guide us through a turbulent world of post-60's angst - JFK, Vietnam, MLK, Watergate.
The Eagles never took a stand. Just as Bill Clinton used political polling to tell him who we wanted him to be, The Eagles straddled the fence - not quite country, not quite rock, not quite pop - producing a muddled combination that was easy on the mind and shot straight to the top.
But, some of the criticism may not be fair. Most people know The Eagles solely by their greatest hits, never venturing too deeply into the cuts that might have revealed a different side.
Whatever the reason, it was all so long ago. Why do we still care?
GUESTS:
- Eric Lichter - Singer, songwriter, instrumentalist and owner of Dirt Floor Recording Studio in Chester, CT
- Robert Christgau - Pioneer in rock journalism. His newest book is Going Into the City: Portrait of a Critic as a Young Man
- Nathan Rabin - Writer and author of several books, including most recently, You Don't Know Me But You Don't Like Me: Phish, Insane Clown Posse, and My Misadventures with Two of Music's Most Maligned Tribes
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Colin McEnroe, Chion Wolf and Jonathan McNicol contributed to this show.
