Eagles Promise Low-Key Parade of Hits

Bangkok's Independent Newspaper

Thanks to Offy for finding this one.

The Eagles promise to play all their classic hits at their first gig in Thailand, as long as it’s kept low-key.

“No fireworks, no dancers,” said drummer Don Henley, prompting laughter at yesterday’s press conference for Eagles Live in Bangkok 2004 concerts.

The rock legends arrived on Monday evening to kick off their Farewell I tour at the Impact Arena tomorrow and Saturday. Even though the concert title implies it to be their last journey, it might not be the end after all.

“You can’t do Farewell XI so you do Farewell I first,” guitarist and vocalist Glenn Frey said.

“We just decided to call it Farewell I so we can keep going. It gives us more options,” Henley said. Since fans are already familiar with their recordings, the only surprises at the three-hour performance will come down to the order of the songs and the trick intros.

The band waxed nostalgic about how different the music scene was during their heyday in the 70s.

“It was very special to hold your own record that your neighbour down the street didn’t have,” said Timothy Schmit, the bassist. “Now anybody can cut their own CD at the computer at home. It lost that magic that it used to have.”

“It was more fun then. The music was better,” said Henley, who sings one of the group’s greatest hits – “Hotel California”, which has mystified followers trying to figure out what the vaguely bizarre lyrics mean. Some even think it has something to do with Satanism.

“It’s about America. About excess, lost innocence, materialism and some of our girlfriends,” Henley said. “It’s about a young man on a journey and a quest and ‘The Twilight Zone’. We like that show.”

Security was strict. Questions were screened by the quartet’s publicist and could only be asked through the emcee. Two really big bodyguards who resembled wrestler The Rock were at their side at all times. But the band members including guitarist and vocalist Joe Walsh were friendly enough to step down and sign autographs after the briefing. They also crooned “Tequila Sunrise” at a rehearsal for the press afterwards.

The Eagles will take their sold-out tour next to Singapore, then on Hong Kong, Japan and Australia.