marvin

Um...sure

I wrote this a year ago: https://raspberriesmarvin.wordpress.com/2018/04/27/raspberries-an-influential-case-for-the-rock-roll-hall-of-fame/

Lew, I love you 😉

What I'm deathly afraid of is, Bernie will see all the work Lew put in to get people back and as a show of respect, will make him a new administrator

It feels strange and at the same time, very natural to be back. Good luck, Bernie.

Allow me the artistic license of substituting names to make things more relevant. At this time I am reminded of Diana Ross' closing speech during the 'Motown 25' special: " "EC.com is family. Maybe Bernie has felt that he’s never been appreciated for all his work. But, it's not about the people who leave that’s important, it’s about the people that came back. And today, everyone came back." EC.com was the home of too many good memories to list here - all because of our communal love for a music that touched our lives. That will never go away. It was Bernie's vision that fulfilled many of our dreams. For that, we cannot begin to say enough 'thank you's.' Regardless of your final decision on what to do with this Message Board, let it be known Bernie, that you brought a lot of people together for good reasons, and that's something many of us will never forget. Take care. "And the good times are the best times, the bad times fade away." - J Geils Band

My good friend, Pat, told me about this thread. I have not been on this site in ??? years. People who have known me since EC.COM first came to be, know that the Eagles have been my favourite band for the last 45 years. They were a band that I grew up with, a band whose songs marked many important moments in my life. I wrote the following note on FB after the passing of Glenn Frey. Pat thought that I should share it here. Apologies for the length: The Eagles, Glenn Frey & the days of youth I’ve told this story many times, so apologies for the redundancy. If you follow me on FB, you know that my favourite band in the early 1970’s was, Raspberries. After their last album in 1974 and eventual breakup, I felt a musical void. Was there another band that I could be passionate about? Hey, I was 14, give me a break for being over-sensitive! As I approached those introspective late teenage years, I started to focus on singer-songwriters, and the especially the sounds coming out of California. It was a fertile, creative time in Southern California, as an unprecedented number of artists such as Jackson Browne, Joni Mitchell, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, Dan Fogelberg, and the Eagles, were starting to make inroads. The quality of the songs that these musicians were writing, and especially the lyrics, connected with me immediately. Right from the start, there was something about the Eagles that intrigued me. Sure I was aware of the early hits such as “Take It Easy,” and “The Best of My Love,” but I hadn’t spent any time with their music. For me it was always about vocals, strong melodies and musicianship, the Eagles seemed to have each of these qualities in spades. A Christmas 1975 gift was the album ‘One Of these Nights.’ My homework began. I started reading everything I could find on the Eagles. Back then you had to wait for a monthly music magazine (in my case, Hit Parader and Circus), because there were few other resources available. I also backtracked and purchased their previous three albums, ‘On the Border,’ ‘Desperado,’ and their self-titled first album. I was overwhelmed by the vocals, the strong songwriting, and the guitar interplay between Bernie Leadon (later Don Felder) and Glenn Frey was melodic heaven. Don Henley and Frey were writing songs that spoke to me on every level. Yes, I had found my new Raspberries. The strength of a well-constructed song cannot be denied. The Eagles sought perfection with their music, and most of the time (imo), succeeded. Yes there was an over-attention to detail that alienated many critics and music fans, and I’ll admit there were times I wished they would just release the music and not fret over every single note. Regardless, in my mind, every aspect of every song was brilliantly arranged (thank you, Glenn Frey) and showed that at times their devotion to perfection was worth the struggle. When a beloved musician dies, it always hits me hard. I know that one person is no more important than another, but I’m affected by music because of its force throughout my life. Elvis’ death in 1977 was the first musician death that I remember clearly. Even though he was not of my generation, it resonated with me because his music was very popular in our household. The first musician death that did have a tangible effect on me was John Lennon in 1980. I clearly recall the tears that seemed to last forever, and how for many it seemed like the end of their dreams. The end of their youth. And that’s what it comes down to - beyond the music, there is this sense of a loss of youth. I have this impossible wish that these musicians will grow old with me. I imagine that comes mostly from emotion and nostalgia. The reality of course is, that as I get older it’s inevitable that these musicians that were part of my youth, musicians who are 10-20 years older than me, will pass. Glenn Frey’s passing reminds me how easy it is for people you’ve never met to still have an impact on your life. At the same time it also feels like someone tugging at my youth, saying, “I guess it’s time to let go.” It seems like yesterday since my initial indoctrination to the Eagles. I’ve taken that ride now for close to 45 years, and never looked back. Even when the band took a recording and touring ‘break’ from 1980 to 1994, they were never far from my thoughts, my turntable or my guitar. Radio and their respective solo careers kept them alive in my heart. For some who are reading, these words will come across as over-the-top. For others who might be like me – those who have had music be a touchstone in their lives, connecting them to events - you’ll nod your head and say, “I get it.” The days of youth passed a long time ago and that’s ok, because that special music that formed my youth, will be with me forever. #RIPGlennFrey

Regardless of where my loyalties lie and whether I 'liked' some of her comments (I didn't necessarily agree with everything she wrote), I DID NOT bring any of this topic to Kay's attention.

Sorry Eric, but I had nothing to do with this. Your call if you believe me or not, but I'm disappointed in the accusation.

More frrom the new Lewisohn book on the Beatles, and their contract with Brian: QUOTE Record companies didn't routinely hold artist management contracts, but it was probably Decca or EMI that Brian Epstein first obtained a sample document. He never revealed who it was, only that the terms were "quite disgraceful: it gave the artists no freedom, hardly any money and bound them." It could be a "weekly wage" contract or the kind that stole as much as 50% of an artists' earnings — they were all one or the other, their every clause shaped solely to the manager's advantage, many of them concealing outright theft of present and future rights and income. Line up every 1950's/'60's pop artist in Britain and America and ask those who weren't screwed by management to raise a hand, and you will see very few hands. This was the lion's den Brian was now entering, intent on being fair. The exclusive contract for five years from February 1, 1962, paying Brian 10% of all monies received, rising to 20% if their earnings exceeded $1,500 (pounds not dollars) each per year. David Harris, a young partner at lawyers Silverman, Livermore & Co, said, "Brian was very keen indeed to ensure that the contract was a fair one. This was the tenor of his instruction: "I want to be fair."He was a middle-class boy, well educated, well spoken, dealing with lads who were, in that sense and in those days, of an inferior class, And he was very conscious of that, and he wanted to ensure that he wasn't seen as taking advantage of them because of his position. It was absolutely admirable." ENDQUOTE

If you get a chance to read this Rolling Stone story on KISS, do so. It is incredibly revealing and tells you a lot about the size of Gene's ego. In my opinion that more than anything else is what's keeping Ace and Peter out of the Hall.

Yes at times the management can be the saving grace. In the Lewisohn book, "The Beatles: All These Years Vol.1 TUNE IN", there are revealing quotes from Bob Wooler (Liverpool dj and Beatles associate), Neil Aspinall, and even John Lennon, that if Brian Epstein hadn't happened when he did, the band would have likely broken up. The band become jaded and bored with what was happening musically. Epstein had the faith in them to want to be their manager and to push them toward new avenues. On a financial and career-expanding level, the best thing that happened to McCartney was meeting Linda and her family of lawyers, and John meeting Yoko, someone who was very business-savvy.

Actually I did listen to it and really enjoyed your enhancements. Since I don't have the "Essential" collection, I can't compare the differences.

You would think that the record company and management would have the artists' best interests in hand, but music history especially in the 50's, 60's and 70's, is littered with examples of bad deals. When the Eagles were courted by Geffen and the new company that he was putting together, Asylum Records, they signed on a 'hippie idealism' belief that Asylum would look out for the band. Geffen, the Eagles, J Mitchell, etc, were all young, all friends, the feeling was that they would grow together artistically and financially. That didn't last long. The band eventually cut ties with Geffen, and in the 1980's, Henley sued Geffen. For a couple of people who started out wanting the same thing in their careers, a career based on friendship, Henley and Geffen have very nasty things to say about each other today.

As much as I abhor Albert Goldman and everything he did, that quote above is interesting. What is even more interesting is how this topic has gravitated from KISS to the Eagles to the Beatles

Further to your post, Bernie, I am currently reading Mark Lewishohn's "The Beatles: All These Years Vol.1 TUNE IN", which by the way is the most authoritative and intensive work I've ever read on the band. This first volume focuses on the very early years and ends in 1963. In the days prior to Brian hooking up with the band, they had signed contracts with (among others) Allan Williams and Bruno Koschmider where they admittedly did not know what they were doing. Paul, George and Stu were still teenagers, and John and Pete were barely 20 years old. That first contract they signed with Brian was probably done under some duress about where their career was going. They were so desperate for proper management, someone to direct and guide them and also push them forward. Brian was the right guy at the right time, but he was also pretty management and business savy. I would bet that the terms in future contracts were much more fairer.

The Eagles have always been Frey's band. He formed it, and he's the one that has always been looked at as the 'leader.' That doesn't necessarily make either him or Henley the "moral leaders" but they are DEFINITELY the decision makers. I'd even go so far as to say that Irving Azoff (their manager) gets more of a vote in the decisions than Walsh or Schmitt. If either Walsh or Schmitt had chosen to not toe the Frey-Henley line, they also would have been kicked out years ago. I've had many discussions with other Eagles fans on other Message Boards about how pointless in my opinion, this current tour is. Other than thankfully bringing the under-appreciated Bernie Leadon back into the fold, this tour is bringing them into the same cities and venues repeatedly. The tour will stretch well into 2015, making it almost three years old. Why not spend this time working on new music? Their last album,"The Long Road Out Of Eden" is already seven years old. Interestingly, both Schmitt and Walsh have released albums of new music over the last year, while Frey's release from last year was a covers album, and Henley's upcoming release later this year will also be covers. Maybe the Frey-Henley well has run dry.

I don't necessarily disagree that Henley and Frey shouldn't get paid more than the rest, but when you say it on a documentary (with a smirk, I should add) viewed by fans, critics and a zillion others, it doesn't do much for a perception that already exists that you (Henley and Frey) are egotists and always put yourselves above other band members. No idea what hegemony means, and I don't feel like looking it up

Fully appreciate that music is a 'business', and as bad as it may sound, sometimes you have to have a bit of ruthlessness in you in order to survive. I don't know Paul, Gene, Don or Glenn from a hole in the wall. All I know about them is what I've read and seen in interviews over the last 40 years. Maybe that's not a true reflection of their personalities but with all due respect, they can all come across as pretty nasty people - especially when it comes to talking about former bandmates or the dollars and cents of the music business. In Gene & Paul's case, their dissatisfaction with Ace & Peter seems to be more about the substance abuse factor than about the music. Some of their comments and especially this latest rift over who will and will not play at the Rock Hall inductions must be tough for KISS fans to bear. Regarding the Eagles, I adore Henley & Frey and their body of work with the band, as well as Henley's solo music. Some of the stuff they've said about former members is pretty harsh and tough to handle, for those of us who love the band. The recent "History Of the Eagles" documentary pulled no punches but very few of the comments were about the art, most were about money (Frey: "I told management that the only way we'd get back together is if Henley and I got paid more than the other members"). It's the art that I love and I try my best to separate the art from the artist. Sometimes that's a challenge.

Eric, I'm probably one of the biggest if not the biggest Eagles fan on this message board. What I meant was that when it comes to business, Paul and Gene remind of Henley & Frey. As songwriters, they don't even come close to Henley & Frey. Just my opinion.

As long as they're wearing the same makeup, and have a similar build, who'd know the difference? Other than a couple of songs here and there, I've never been a fan of KISS. I've always considered them to be a lot of style and very little substance, and as musicians, I think Gene & Paul make good businessmen. They REALLY remind me a lot of Frey and Henley.

I read the story. Certainly no love lost between Paul, Gene, Ace and Peter. Nasty, nasty, nasty.

I for one am not concerned about the quality of questions being asked. This is more press than Eric has received in a zillion years and I continue to be impressed with how many media outlets have re-discovered him and his music.

I prefer "Tonight You're Mine" to "Lips", and would have chosen "American As Apple Pie" over one or two others. We're all critics in our own write (pun intended); to each his own, as BeNrie said.

"Try And Love Again" is a crowning achievement for Randy.