“In His Own Words” will be an ongoing series featuring a compilation of quotes from Randy on different subjects. In this first installment, Randy shares his thoughts on performing, both as a solo artist and with the Eagles.
“Whether I was playing in front of 60,000 or 7 people, it made no difference to me. They’re all just people. If you blow it, they understand. If you do well, they understand, too.”
BAM, November 7, 1980
“And there are times when, if I’m tired, sometimes I have to concentrate, and my concentration comes off like this.” (He makes a mean look.) “The guy that’s mad at everybody. But it’s really not. If you’re tired. Sometimes it will come out like that.“
Cleveland Scene, Dec. 2, 1976
“I’m still learning [about performing]. Like occasionally I forget lyrics. But remember, I was always in the background. Coming out of the background isn’t easy. It’s certainly harder than I thought it would be.”
Oregonian, April 10, 1981
“Every time [Poco] played the Troubadour it was packed, people hanging out of the rafters. We’d go up to Doug Weston’s office, have a shot of tequila and some beer, then hooting and hollering we’d run out, which is really great for a group just before you go onstage, like a football team psyching-up. By the time we’d hit the stage the whole audience would be yelling. We’d have ‘em cranked before we even started playing. When you know the audience is with you, it gives you that extra boost of natural energy. It was just so much fun. Some nights Jimmy would have his dog Jasper with him, and he actually came on stage with us a few times.”
Desperados: The Roots Of Country Rock by John Einarson, 1991
“Henley always wanted us to stand still on stage, but (Joe) Walsh and I wanted to move around and do things like Chuck Berry’s duck walk.”
Sioux City Journal, November 28, 1994
“I feel 37 in the mornings, but 17 when I’m on the stage.”
Alliance Times-Herald, July 6th, 1983
“Looseness, that’s what I’m trying to create. I like doing spontaneous things rather than the same old thing every night. I like to take that chance, draw that line, sing a song a different way. As a performer, I have more fun that way.”
Atlanta Constitution, December 16, 1982
“I was nervous about doing [“Take It To The Limit”] live. I wouldn’t have spotlights out on me. Everyone had spotlights. I just didn’t want to be in the limelight…I liked to be on the side and play and do my parts. I was kind of shy, actually. I just wanted to do my job.”
Ken Sharp interview, 2006
[On switching to playing guitar on stage when he went solo] “You can’t play bass and sing at the same time. Too many counterparts. Rhythm guitar gives me more freedom.”
New York Daily News, March 10th, 1981
“There’s a difference in recording and playing live. [The Eagles] were too serious on stage, too meticulous, and perfectionistic. It makes you conservative when you’re afraid to vary from a set thing or make a mistake. On stage, you’re supposed to have fun and play different licks and stretch out. You’re not supposed to copy your records exactly. The way they do it, you can go home and listen to the record, put a picture of the group on the wall and have the same effect.”
Los Angeles Times, April 5th, 1981
“I liked [to perform] the more up songs, like “One Of These Nights” or “Hotel California” and that kind of music myself. The ballads are ok, but as far as playing bass to them or singing background, you know, it’s pretty much, boom, boom, boom boom (mimics slow bass line). If I had been singing lead on it, I might have had a different feeling about it. “Already Gone” I liked. I liked the more rock and roll stuff we did.”
May 12, 1988, KZOK radio interview, Seattle, WA.
Excellent Jessica. This is what it’s all about for me. Thanks so much ♥️🎶🦅
You’re welcome, Rhonda! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it.
This is a lovely theme gathering Randy’s own words together to show his real personality. The real man.
Thanks so much, Leah! It’s always better to get Randy’s own take on things. It’s just a shame he didn’t give more interviews.
Great article. I really loved the quotes about performing with Poco at the Troubadour. Sounds like so much fun! Thanks for putting all these together. You even found two pictures I had not seen before! 🙂
Hi, Janis! Thank you! I loved that quote about the Troubadour, too. Although it’s hard for me to imagine gentle, soft-spoken Randy hooting and hollering before going onstage
Right! This was the Randy who loved to have fun and play practical jokes.
Love all the personal words, the way Randy felt. Thank you Jessica.
Thanks Jessica great fun reading Randy’s quotes.
You’re welcome! I used to do these quote compilations many years ago on my previous blog & people seemed to enjoy them. I thought it would be fun to do it for Randy.
Jessica,
Thanks so much for sharing this with
us all. It’s nice to read something that you know are Randy’s own thoughts and opinions, rather than someone else’s!
I look forward to reading more about our sweet Randy!
My pleasure, Nanci, and thank you for your nice comment. I agree, Randy’s own thoughts are always preferable to other people putting words in his mouth or telling us how he felt about something.
Thank you sooo much for doing this! It takes a lot of hard work and time to put this together. I love Randy and getting to know what he likes and dislikes is like personally knowing him! I’m excited about this and can’t wait to learn more !! ❤️🎶🎸🎤🎶❤️
I’m glad to hear it, Annette. I hope you stick around!
Thank you Jessica for this great article. Like everyone else it is great to read Randy’s own words. I loved watching him in the Silverado and Poco bands where he really enjoys moving around. It is a great look! He is awesome.
Thanks, Peggy. I agree on all points!