Don Henley Interview Excerpt

Rick Jackson · Post by **Rick Jackson** » 8 Aug 2003 10:33 am

I was reading the "Night and Day" section of the San Diego Union and there was an article about the Eagles playing a venue in San Diego. The quote that really caught my attention as Henley was talking about the Eagles influence was as follows: "If we're responsible for what happened to country music, I apologize to the world," Henley said. "There's no country music anymore, because there's no country. Everybody is an 'urban cowboy.'" I thought it was interesting and thought provoking. What are your thoughts????

mtulbert · Post by **mtulbert** » 8 Aug 2003 3:57 pm

Good topic, but I feel that Mr. Henley has an overexaggerated opinion of the influence that the Eagles have had on country music. I always felt that they brought some country elements into their folk, acoustic style of music.

More detrimental to our type of country could be none other than Mr. Garth Brooks, with huge gimmick concerts, and smashing guitars etc.

Just my view.

Mark T.

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 8 Aug 2003 4:58 pm

It was Alabama, not the Eagles, that put the rock into country radio.

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Craig A Davidson · Post by **Craig A Davidson** » 8 Aug 2003 6:49 pm

Amen Bobby! The brightest day to me will be when Alabama plays their last show. I have been waiting for over 20 years for them to give up the bubble gum country. The Eagles had Bernie Leadon playing steel when I first heard them, and years later on the Hell Freezes Over Tour, they were still carrying a steel, with Don Felder doing the honors.

David Reeves · Post by **David Reeves** » 9 Aug 2003 3:23 am

I won't disagree with you b0b, but before I ever heard of Alabama, them Belamy Brothers done a number on their own.

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 9 Aug 2003 7:35 am

What a beat up topic!

Hank Williams got blamed for putting rock in country before there was even rock.

Pat Burns · Post by **Pat Burns** » 9 Aug 2003 1:57 pm

..I think Don Henley has an overexaggerated opinion of his importance in every aspect of life..I like to listen to his music, but I really don't care what he thinks about his importance, or to listen to what he thinks about the ecology or Blue Whales or Josey Whales...

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 10 Aug 2003 4:36 am

B0b is right...

One can only imagine where the Steel would be today if Alabama did in fact have a Steel as a mainstay in their band. I never really could quite figure out why they didn't.

A majority of their tunes were begging for a Steel fill or solo. Me, quite frankly, I always thought that Alabama was pretty boring and on the cusp of out of tune vocally. But they sure sold a whole lot more CD's than I ever did..I'll give them that !

Lets be thankful for George Strait, Alan Jackson and the likes of Brad Paisley who feature Steels up front..I know theres more that do but they pretty much are at the top of their game right now.

I'm pretty certain I will ask Randy Owens, I think thats his name, if I ever meet him, why he didn't use a Steel in his Country band for all those years....

The Eagles were influenced by Country music, they didn't have influence ON Country music..Don't get me wrong I think Henley and the gang are great but somehow I don't see Merle sittin' around listening to them thinking he needs to sing Lyin' Eyes anytime soon...

tp

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 10 Aug 2003 8:21 am

I've been a huge fan of Don & Eagles growing up.
Not sure why he felt appologetic in the interview.
Music is music with or without steel, of course it's better with STEEL!

JMO
Theresa

John Steele · Post by **John Steele** » 10 Aug 2003 10:08 am

I never really could quite figure out why they didn't.

Tony, if you can make a bag full of money playing "Play me some mountain music" to a bunch of poseurs who wouldn't know mountain music if it crawled up their butt and laid eggs, then....
On the other hand, it's quite an accomplishment to gather together an audience thick enough to stand with their bic lighters in the air for your anthem "If you're gonna play in Texas, you gotta have a fiddle in the band". ('specially when you got no fiddle player in your band)
I'm with Dwight Yoakum, who said "Alabama ? Those guys are a Holiday Inn Lounge act."
-John

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 10 Aug 2003 10:42 am

Jeff Cook took alot of credit for playing guitar and fiddle on their records.

I'll never understand them not having steelguitar too.
I steel love the Eagles music more!
Theresa

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 10 Aug 2003 11:05 am

Jeff Cook took alot of credit for playing guitar and fiddle on their records.

I know that Jeff Cook did play some fiddle on their records, but on "Gotta Have A Fiddle..." I believe Mark O'Connor was the fiddler.

The story I've heard is that Mark took one hellacious fiddle ride, and Randy Owen told him, "Uh, Mark, great solo, but Jeff is gonna have to play the fiddle ride on our shows." Away goes the pyrotechnics and out comes the simple Georgia Shuffle (dum dadda dum dadda dum dadda dum etc.)

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Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 10 Aug 2003 12:28 pm

Herb,
Correct, but Bruce Watkins played fiddle more than Mark did on their hits.

I'm happy Gregg played lead on "When We Make Love" and "She and I"!
Theresa

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 10 Aug 2003 1:08 pm

Back to topic.
I like Don's music!