The Eagles are not famous for fancy live performances. Instead, they are praised for their excellent musical skills and many popular rock songs. At their first concert of what they say is their final tour, called The Long Goodbye, which will likely continue until 2025, the band, led by Don Henley, Joe Walsh, and Timothy B. Schmit, played two hours of their well-known songs perfectly and precisely.
Even though they were very professional, there was still a strong feeling of emotions during Thursday’s one-hour performance at a completely full Madison Square Garden.
The signs promoting this “Last Tour” gave off a sense that it was the end. Don Henley’s voice sounded very sad when he talked about the tough six weeks the Eagles went through after their original bassist, Randy Meisner, passed away in July. Also, a two-song tribute to Jimmy Buffett later in the show made everyone feel very sad.
Endings always happen, but the Eagles finish their fifty-year-long career with a long tour across the country and a big playlist of 23 songs. The first hour of the show was calm and relaxed, while the second hour was full of exciting rock music.
The Eagles gave out 50 years of hits.
The band’s famous harmonies were heard at the beginning of the show. Henley, Walsh, and Schmit, along with recent tour guests Vince Gill and Deacon Frey (the son of late Eagle legend Glenn Frey), and the skilled guitarist Steuart Smith, all stood at the front of the stage to perform “Seven Bridges Road.”
The lead singing was taken on by different members of the band. Deacon Frey did a great job on “Take it Easy,” and Don Henley sang beautifully on “One of These Nights” while sitting behind his drum set. Vince Gill sang “Take It To The Limit” in a touching way to remember Randy Meisner.
The easygoing music from Southern California that made the Eagles popular in the early 1970s, like “Best Of My Love,” “Peaceful Easy Feeling,” and “Tequila Sunrise,” sounded even better with the help of the musical director Will Hollis with keyboards, Scott Crago sharing the drumming with Henley, and Michael Thompson on keyboards, adding more depth to the sound.
The Bassist Schmit, who Don Henley mentioned had once been part of Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band and came up with the term “Parrotheads” for fans, sounded just as good as always. His high-pitched voice added a dreamy and charming quality to the song “I Can’t Tell You Why.”
The Eagles paid tribute to Jimmy Buffett.
People who wanted to pretend to play the guitar in the air were about to get their chance. But, before that, Henley quieted the audience to talk about his close friend, Jimmy Buffett.
He said that he is now sailing in that endless space and enjoying a cheeseburger with Glenn and Randy. Henley continued that Jimmy made work seem like fun. He brought happiness to everything he did, and one of his last wishes was for us to continue the celebration.
Schmit sang a lovely version of the wonderful song “Come Monday,” and Walsh wore a hat with a parrot on it to get the audience to sing along with “Fins.” This tribute was both happy and sad because when you looked around the venue and saw people making the “fins” hand gesture, it reminded everyone that we would not see Buffett lead that chorus again.
Also Read: Why Did Meisner Leave The Eagles? Explained
