European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 03, 1977, Darmstadt, Hesse Tuesday May 3, 1977 the stars and stripes Page 19 the eagles flying High Over Europe by James Simon associated press can t blame the eagles for flying High these s since its formation in 1971, the los Ange Esrock band has seen All six of its albums sell More than a million copies. It s album of hits featuring a string of big Selling singles has sold 5v4 Mil lion copies. And there were two million orders for their latest album. Hotel California before it was even re leased in january. The five member band is the heir to the California blend of Folk Rock and country sounds first popular lied by the Byrds and later by Buffalo Springfield. Those sounds Are combined with finely crafted lyrics usually written by drummer Don Henley and guitarist Glenn prey which Appeal to screaming teen age girls hard Rock fans and adult listeners. On its recent 12-City american Tou to promote the new album the band refused to talk to reporters. But Frey and Henley talked about the group s roots and approach to music in an interview on the eve of the release of their new album. We live in Southern California and we re a song band said Frey. I think that is something dominant in California groups like the Beach boys Crosby stills Nash and Young the Byrds Buffalo Springfield. There s More Harmony singing Here on the West coast than on the East coast. We Don t write guitar riffs or Rock n Roll tracks for somebody to scream Over. We write etched with respect for the popular the band is noted for its approach to songwriting with members tearing apart each other s lyrics and melodies until they re Happy with the final product. That s vastly different from most groups where each member s ego is fragile and every word or musical note is a Gem. Writing songs is still a mystery to me said Henley who handles most of the vocals. I Don t know How we get from the concept to the end of the song. I know it s hard work. We agonize Over prepositions we take it very seriously. The trick about writing songs is to reach As Many people As possible without lowering your Frey Henley bassist Randy Telsner and guitarist Bernie Leadon were working As backup musicians for Singer Linda Ronstadt in 1971 when they decided to try to Fly on their own. Guitarist Don folder was added in 1974 and Leadon left the following year for a Solo career. Guitarist Joe Walsh a Veteran of such hard rocking groups As the James gang and his own barnstorm was added to round out the present lineup. In concert the eagles avoid instrumental solos in favor of hammering out hits. A new York concert featured 22 songs from the six albums and from earlier Walsh efforts. The songs were faithful to the recorded versions almost too faithful As there was no instrumental soloing other than what is preserved on Vinyl. Henley Walsh Meisner Frey Felder More than six million albums in six years. That s unfortunate As bassist Meisner and guitarists Felder and Walsh Are top notch and could use some room to improvise. Leadon s departure and the addition of Walsh toughened the band s sound. Leadon s acoustic guitar and Banjo were an integral part of such Early hits As take it easy and peaceful easy feel ing while Walsh concentrates or harsher Lead guitar playing. Those hits from the first album helped establish the band with the record buying Public. And the follow up album. Desperado a concept record presenting rebel Lious Rock stars As the modern equivalent of Western out Laws gave the band respectability among critics and pm audiences. The band s third Effort on the Border featured the hit. Best of my love which broadened the group s popu Larity when the song crossed Over from the pop charts to reach country and adult listeners. Liat broadening continued with the album one of these nights an which the Eagle singles from Lynn take it to the limit and the title track hit big on the charts. On its latest album the immediate am Success of new kid in town prompted the eagles to release the title track hotel California to solid am Suc Cess. While Henley handles most of the vocals Frey Walsh and Mesnar also contribute to the singing. It was Meisner s vocal on take it to the limit that gave the group its most successful single so far. The band switches easily from its hit ballads to rockers like James Dean on which Frey dons sunglasses and struts around stage like a hippie Cowboy while singing about the rebel movie Star of the 1950s. Frey started the new York show by saying i. We re the eagles from but none of the five eagles is originally from the Golden state and the band has been accused of capitalizing on a California hippie stereotype As the basis for its Success. But whatever the reason the eagles have become one of the top concert attractions in the country with their legions of fans gobbling up tickets within hours or Days of thei going on Sale. And the band is now in Europe in Hopes of expanding its audience. Life goodbye Columbus life a music and dance ensemble from Columbus. Ohio leaves new York May 20 for a 42-Day Uso shows tour in Germany and Italy. The three woman eight Man group of vocalists danc ers and instrumentalists put on what the Uso describes As a vegas Type variety show. They have performed with Bob Hope Tennessee Ernie Ford Tony Bennett and Lena the on stage column and local announce ments for playmates. Or conducted by j. King Cruger travel writer Here s what s shaking at Stratford the Hoyal Shakespeare company opened its 1977 season at Stratford upon Avon England in april with performances of a experimental production of Mac Beth directed by Trevor company will be playing this summer in nine plays the most ambitious season in the company s history. Coming May 6 will be a Midsummer night i dream directed by John Barton followed by a musical version of the comedy of errors opening May 10. All three of Shakespeare s Henry i plays Iube staged in their entirety this year for the first time Mey will open in july. Win August will come a new production of Henry v new productions of Ai you like it and coriolanus will follow in september and s experimental smaller theater Ca led the other place will be doing non shakespearian plays be ginning May 23 with Ben Jonson s. The alchemist. Then will follow with an English version of Alfred de Mussel s Loren Zuccato and Ford s tis pity she s a whore then two modern plays. Queen Christiana by Pam Gens and David Hudkin s sons of Light. All the Shakespeare plays will later be taken to London to be shown at the company s theater there the Aldwyck and at two other Heaters. Tennis and ski Camp june 19-july 30 the Alpine Tennis and ski club will hold its second annual summer program for americans in Zell am see and Kapraun Austria. Six sessions will be offered from june 1 Willy 30. U s instructors will be on hand to teach Tennis five hours each Day for All Levels of instruction beginner through advanced. The first two sessions will be for adults and families june 19-25 and june 26-july 2. The remaining four sessions july 3-9, 10-16,17-23 and 24-30 will be for juniors age 10-18. The Camp also offers ski instruction beginner through advanced on the nearby Glacier at sessions Cost from $140 to 1180 for juniors and 1160 to 1180 for adults depending upon the sport. Cost includes All meals and lodging for a week instruction and lift fees. During the sessions for juniors round trip bus transportation from Wurzburg Germany is also included. Details Are available from Gary h. Teeman Wurz Burg american High school Skyline 134, 8700 Wurzburg. Germany. Tel. Wurzburg civilian 0931 70490. Italy Art history tour May 27-june 5 the Karlsruhe education centers Are sponsoring their third annual Art history tour to Italy from May 27 to junes. Three units of College credit will be available for this tour which will include visits to the most important museums and monuments in Rome Florence Ravenna and Assisi. The tour Price of 549 Marks about b29 includes round trip transportation by bus hotel accommodations with breakfasts All admission costs and three Art history slide shows. Tour pick up Points include Karlsruhe. Stuttgart Ulm Augsburg and Munich. For detailed itinerary and reservations Call Karlsruhe military Obi or your local american express travel office
