"They will never forget you 'till somebody new comes along." *
I have vivid memories of hearing "New Kid in Town,” on the boardwalk in Ocean City, New Jersey, circa summertime 1976-78. It mixed seamlessly, naturally, with the other siren songs - pinball, air hockey, and Skee-ball - that were pouring out of the arcades and amusement parks. In my memory, I feel certain that it was playing at the same time in those same seaside fun palaces out in California, on Mission Beach, Venice Beach, on the Santa Monica Pier; indeed, everywhere in between both the coasts.
I sincerely hope somebody new comes along who can replace Glenn Frey. But I don't believe that will happen.
The generation that fell in love with the power and glory of rock and roll music, and who became the writers and musicians who created the immense catalog of popular music created in the 60's, 70's, and into the 80's, were inspired, indeed, driven, by the Ed Sullivan Show appearances of Elvis Presley in 1956-57, and The Beatles in 1964.
Legions of wide-eyed youths were moved by these Sunday night performances, live in their living rooms on their black and white televisions, to take up an instrument and practice, practice, practice. Some of them ended up in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside their idols, including one Glenn Frey from Detroit.
Most of the others never made it anywhere near that far, but they are still out there, performing and keeping the music alive: they are the 50 and 60-somethings performing at your local outdoor concert series, club, or casino. Ask one what inspired him to become a musician; they'll be happy to tell you.
These songs became the soundtrack of our lives. And perhaps no band provided so many lasting soundtracks for so many people than did the collection of transplants from Texas, Michigan, Florida, and Montana who migrated to Southern California and formed a band called the Eagles.
Their music was Rock and Roll with a country flavor, "country-rock," with soaring harmonies descended from their adopted-Southern California predecessors like the Beach Boys and the Mamas and Papas, and a knack for capturing the essence of life in their new home.
And they proceeded to create songs that seem to last forever.
"Hotel California," the album that spawned "New Kid in Town," is one of the best-selling records ever made, and widely considered to be one of the greatest. The title track itself is still ubiquitous in 2016.
I heard the strains of "Hotel California," "rising up through the air" outside of another arcade as I strolled along the Santa Monica Pier, waiting for sunset. ** Almost forty years after my childhood memories on that New Jersey Boardwalk, the Eagles once again provided the perfect soundtrack for another unforgettable moment in my life. As I watched the sun drop into the Pacific, I once again heard the Dream of California.
Great bands, great albums, and great songs, come along so infrequently these days, if ever they ever come at all. The icons we still listen to - Cocker, King, Bowie, Prince, Frey - are growing fewer every year. And no one replaces them. No one can replace them.
I appreciate them more than ever.
Glenn Frey, rest in peace, and thanks for everything.
* "New Kid in Town," written by Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and J.D. Souther
** "Hotel California," written by Don Felder, Don Henley, and Glenn Frey
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