1976 - December: Eagles “Hotel California”

The fifth studio album by the Eagles would become their biggest commercial success (not counting Greatest Hits (1971-1975), another monster album in its own right). Hotel California has been certified 26x platinum, and virtually every track was played on rock stations, not just the singles "New Kid in Town", "Life in the Fast Lane" and the title track, "Hotel California."

This album was recorded after Bernie Leadon had left the group. This multi-instrumental founder was a strong country influence, and when he was replaced by rocker Joe Walsh the group took on a stronger rock orientation. “Hotel California” is a bit of a concept album with the word “Hotel” signifying the daily experience of the band members, and the word “California” taking on a mythological symbolism for the state, the United States, and/or the West. The songs speak of loss of innocence, corruption, illusion versus reality, and of course strained and broken relationships.

Friend of the show, Steve Hardin joins us in this week's episode.

We hope you enjoy this look at one of the most storied albums of the 70's.

 

Try and Love Again Bassist and high tenor Randy Meisner wrote and sings lead on this track about starting over after a broken relationship. "right or wrong, what's done is done, it's only moments that we borrow. But the thoughts will linger on of the lady and her song when the sun comes up tomorrow." Meisner would be replaced by Timothy B. Schmit after this album.

Wasted Time Don Henley takes on lead duties for this break-up song. Drummer Henley would take lead singer duties for about half the songs on the album. "So you can get on with your search, baby, and I can get on with mine. And maybe someday we will find that it wasn't really wasted time."

New Kid in Town Glen Frey takes the lead on this song, which was the first single from the album. Don Henley has the main harmony vocals, and would attrribute the song to the fleeting nature of fame, especially in the music business.

The Last Resort Henley wrote and sings this epic protest song about finding Paradise in California, and destroying it. The group would have to re-record it a number of times because the studio they were using in Miami was adjacent to a studio Black Sabbath was using to record Technical Ecstasy, and the sound kept bleeding through the walls.

 

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

”Rocky (Gonna Fly Now)” from the motion picture "Rocky" Sylvester Stallone wrote and starred in the movie which would launch his career

 

STAFF PICKS:

“The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” by Gordon Lightfoot Rob's staff pick tells the story of a shipwreck in Lake Superior that occurred on November 10th 1975. Lightfoot was inspired by an article in Newsweek called "The Cruelest Month." The Edmund Fitzgerald was the largest ship on Lake Superior.

“Fly Like an Eagle” by Steve Miller Band Friend of the show Steve Hardin brings us the intro and the song proper from Steve Miller Band. It rose to #2 on the charts, held back by Barbara Streisand's "Evergreen" from A Star Is Born. The band had been playing the song in concert since 1973, but it didn't make it to an album until now.

“It's a Long Way There” by Little River Band Wayne brings us the first hit in the United States by Australia's Little River Band. This would begin a string of hits from the band with a west coast feel and tight harmonies.

“Beth” by Kiss Bruce features an unusual ballad from the normally hard rocking Kiss. Ironically, this is the highest charting single by the group, hitting #7 on Billboard's Hot 100.

LAUGH TRACK:

"Disco Duck" by Rick Dees This week's podcast finishes off on a fowl note.

Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”

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