WLAA-D Concert Review: The Eagles bring the hits to a sold-out Little Caesars Arena

Most rock & roll bands come out with a blistering, rocking, rip-roaring song designed to set the tone for the whole evening. Well, The Eagles have never been “most bands.”

And on Friday night, one of the greatest American bands (if not THE greatest American band), walked out on stage to a sold-out crowd at Little Caesar’s Arena and set the tone like only they can – with a basically acoustic number. While they certainly turned up the volume and energy at times – Rocky Mountain Way, for example – The Eagles did what The Eagles do and have been doing for more than 50 years.

They don’t really live “in the fast lane,” but more in the “peaceful, easy feeling” lane. And there is nothing wrong with that.

Don Henley once said that the band has been accused of “loitering” on stage and they did nothing on Friday night to change that description. With songs like Peaceful, Easy Feeling, Lyin’ Eyes, Take it Easy and Desperado, they will never be confused with the Rolling Stones or Bruce Springsteen. But what The Eagles do deliver are well-written, well-crafted and creative songs with amazing harmonies that have found a place not only in the American songbook but the hearts of a few generations of music fans.

It also helps to have one of the greatest singers of all time in Don Henley, and his voice was in fine form despite a rather grueling schedule that has included many back-to-back nights on this tour. The only Don Henley solo song that made the setlist was Boys of Summer. It would have been nice to add a few more, including my personal favorite New York Minute, but you don’t always get what you want – or something like that.

The setlist was jam packed with a juke box full of hits – really big hits. Hotel California, One of These Nights, Take it to the Limit and so on. Other highlights included New Kid in Town, Heartache Tonight and the always fun Joe Walsh song, Life’s Been Good.

Speaking of big hits, Steve “Guitar” Miller (below) opened the show and rattled off a setlist of classics including The Joker, Jet Airliner, Swingtown, Rock’n Me and the very appropriate Fly Like An Eagle. Even at age 80, Miller sounded in fine form and looked good, too.

It’s difficult for many to see The Eagles without seeing and hearing the great Glenn Frey, one of the band’s founding members and songwriters. The Detroit native passed away in January 2016 at the age of 67. Frey, who had a nice mix of humbleness and confidence, once said: “The Beach Boys were pioneers. The Eagles were settlers.”

The group announced on July 6 that they will be embarking on their final tour of their career, “The Long Goodbye.” How long is up to Henley, who said during Friday’s show, “we might be back, though. We’ll have to see how the old skeleton holds up.”

The Eagles of 2023 now feature Henley, Walsh and bassist Timothy B. Schmit, with Vince Gill and Deacon Frey, who did a wonderful job on his dad’s classic hits Peaceful, Easy Feeling and Take It Easy. And Gill is a perfect fit for the band, adding mesmerizing harmonies and incredible guitar work that is a perfect complement to the great Walsh. No, this is not the original Eagles but it’s an excellent version and an amazing group of musicians that carry on the band’s legendary sound and legacy.

Their music, that so beautifully echoed through the hall at Little Caesars on Friday night, will carry on forever. It means a lot to a lot of people. One fan said: “I am so grateful that I lived in an era that The Eagles existed.”

Indeed!

All photos by Terry Jacoby / WLAA-D