In April 1977, the Eagles gave an interview for BBC Radio 1, shortly after their arrival in in London for a European Tour, which included four shows at the Wembley Empire Pool. The interview took place at the Intercontinental Hotel, where the band was staying.
Interviewing the band was renowned British rock journalist & co-founder of Zigzag magazine, John Tobler, who hosted a weekly show on Radio 1 called Rock On, which aired every Saturday afternoon.
The interview was most likely conducted on April 20th or 21st, which was after their arrival on the 19th and before rehearsals began for the Wembley shows on the 22nd. It was not aired live and the actual airdate is unknown. Rock On was an hour-long program, so the 84-minute interview presented here is the unedited version.
Each band member is interviewed individually, with Randy going first. His interview starts immediately at the 5-second mark and lasts 6 minutes. He doesn’t speak again for the duration of the interview, although you can hear him laughing in the background occasionally. Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Joe Walsh, and Don Felder follow. There is a segment at the end where Don and Glenn discuss the band’s history and albums.
NOTES:
- Randy discusses two singles by The Poor on York Records (see Discography). He was probably too self-deprecating about the failure of these singles. “She’s Got The Time” (She’s Got The Changes),” sung by Randy, was set to break the Top 1001 and probably would have if not for a disc jockey strike at the time of its release. 2 & 3
- At the end of Randy’s interview, Tobler asks him about his recent appearance on Mac Gayden’s Hymn To The Seeker,4 which was recorded at Criteria Studios in Miami at the same time the Eagles were recording Hotel California. Randy states that he “sang on a couple of things,” but he is only credited with one song, the funky “Someone Whispered.” Listen here.
- Don’t miss the moment at 1:08:40 when Henley, in defense of One Of These Nights being described by critics as the “weakest Eagles album,” mentions how Randy’s performances of “Take It To The Limit” always receives “about a three minute standing ovation” in the States. “So, there you go,” he says.
- A week later, during their stop in Glasgow (April 30-May 1), the Eagles sat for another interview that aired on the Radio Clyde program, “Stick It In Your Ear,” May 25th, 1977. 5
Randy at Wembley, April 28th, 1977 (@Gus Stewart)
1 Billboard, April 22, 1967
2 Interview with songwriter, Tom Shipley by Nick Warburton, October 2009.
3 The 1967 AFTRA (American Federation of Television & Radio Artists) strike took place from March 29th-April 10th.
4 Gayden, who is known for his wah-wah slide guitar technique, was once considered as a replacement for Bernie Leadon in the Eagles. (Post on Mac Gayden’s Facebook page, November 17, 2019
5 Record Mirror, May 21, 1977
I’ve never heard this one before! Ya’ll find the best information. If Randy doesn’t write a book, you could!
Perhaps our blog here could be sort of a virtual book about him.
I agree! A book would be great.
Love it! Thanks Jessica!!
You’re welcome, Sue!
After listening to that interview with Randy, I can almost see him squirming around uncomfortably in his seat while that guy from the BBC was interviewing him. Kind of like, ok, it’s time to interview someone else. Randy was an interesting guy seemingly full of contradictions. He was very gifted and talented in the music and entertainment business, yet hated the spotlight and had so much self-doubt. He was shy, humble, and sweet; but could be extremely moody and sarcastic. He hated LA because of the air pollution and smog, but would drive around LA with a gas mask on in one of his many cars that undoubtedly added to all of that air pollution. He longed for fresh air, but smoked cigarettes and other things practically his entire life. He had a stomach ulcer, yet put hot sauce on so much of his food. It’s like he was always drawn to the things that were bad for him. Those were just some of the examples I’ve read about him.
Don’t get me wrong. I loved him dearly and am heartbroken that he is no longer around. I just wish so badly things could have been different and better for him in his later years.
I often wondered if Randy kept his hair and bangs long to help cover his face and eyes since he didn’t like the spotlight that much. I’m sure Jennifer would know the answer to that question. I’m hoping that they had a civil relationship over the years even though they had gone their separate ways. I wish so badly they could have made it as a family, especially with 3 children. Life on the road has broken up many marriages, that’s for certain.
The Eagles were certainly gracious in that interview since the interviewer was a pompous jerk. Barely prepared and obviously had not listened to “One of These Nights” or “Hotel California” in much depth. My ears were smoking when he opined that “One of These Nights “ was weak. The track “Too Many Hands” is fire with all its complexity and wild vocals. The title track is one of the sexiest numbers that I have heard ever. It tops Marvin Gaye”s “Let’s Get It On”. The band was at its height musically and creatively. 50 years later all the songs have stood the test of time.