The Eagles toured Germany as part of their 1977 European Tour. This was Randy’s second visit to the country. His first was while touring Europe with Rick Nelson and the Stone Canyon Band in 1970. All four of Randy’s grandparents were Volga German immigrants. In fact, his mother, Emilie Haun, was born in May 1911 aboard the Graf Waldersee en route to Philadelphia from Hamburg.
Randy’s own itinerary from the European tour (via Jennifer Meisner).
May 6th
Press Conference, Hamburg
The band gave a rare press conference upon their arrival in Hamburg for the German leg of their European tour.1 Not much is known about the content of the press conference, however, according to the German music magazine, Sounds, Glenn Frey brought up the construction of a nearby nuclear power plant (possibly the Krümmel plant). “This is a serious problem,” he said. The band was also asked about newly-elected president, Jimmy Carter, and whether they believe he could lead the U.S. back to its roots. Frey spoke for the group: “If back to its roots means down to earth, then we do believe that Carter is the man who will bring American politics back to the essential human condition.”.2
Photo shoot following the press conference. The photo on the left shows the band posing with German music executives. See more photos here.
“Eagles: Hol’s der Geier,” Sounds (Germany), July 1977.
NOTES:
1 The date of the conference is per the band’s itinerary.
2“Eagles: Hol’s der Geier,” Sounds, July 1977.
May 7th
Olympiahalle, Munich
An audience recording exists of the concert, including Randy’s performance of “Take It To The Limit.” Listen below.
“Take It To The Limit”
Full Concert – Olympiahalle, Munich, May 7, 1977
Hotel California
Walk Away
Victim of Love
Doolin Dalton
Doolin-Dalton/Desperado (Reprise)
Lyin’ Eyes
Take It to the Limit
New Kid in Town
Desperado
One of These Nights
Turn to Stone
Already Gone
Life in the Fast Lane
Rocky Mountain Way [Joe Walsh Song]
Witchy Woman
James Dean
Best of my Love (Cut)
18-Take it Easy
Carol [Chuck Berry Cover]
Hotel California album signed by band in Munich, 1977.
May 8
Festhalle, Frankfurt
According to concert promoter Fritz Rau, the Eagles were particularly impressed with Festhalle and the Frankfurt audience.1 Listen to an audience recording of the concert below.
1Fritz Rau, Backstage 50 Years, 2016
Concert poster.
Valerie Carter replaced Dan Fogelberg as the opening act.
Randy & Glenn in Frankfurt.
Photo © Daniel Halifko
“Take It To The Limit,” Frankfurt, May 8, 1977.
Full Concert – Frankfurt, Germany
Hotel California
Walk Away
Victim Of Love
Doolin-Dalton
Desperado (reprise)
Lyin’ Eyes
Take It To The Limit
New Kid In Town
Desperado
One of These Nights
Turn To Stone
Already Gone
Rocky Mountain Way
James Dean
The Best Of My Love
Take It Easy
Randy’s favorite shirt for the European tour was a Harley Davidson “Great American Freedom Machines” shirt. He is wearing it in the Frankfurt photos. He also wore it the previous week in London and will be wearing it again in one of the upcoming Rotterdam shows.
Eagles performing at Festhalle, Frankfurt, May 8, 1977. ©Daniel Halifko.
May 15
Congress Centrum, Hamburg
Between the Düsseldorf and Hamburg shows, the band played three nights in Rotterdam, Netherlands. I cover these shows here. They returned to Germany to perform at the Congress Center on May 15th.
Ticket for Hamburg show
Eagles onstage in Hamburg. All photos by Hardy Schiffler.
The Eagles’ next and last stop on their European tour was Sweden. Read more about it below:
Read more about all of the shows from the Eagles’ 1977 European tour below:
This is a awesome article.
Hi, Esther! Thank you!
Thank you so much Jessica for sharing all this! So interesting to read and the pictures are awesome. Thanks to Jennifer Meisner for sharing her memories! I enjoy seeing all the photos and listening to the live performances.
Thanks, Carol!
Thank you for sharing this. I attended the Univ. of Maryland Munich Campus at the time. My college roommates and I listened to the Hotel California LP day and night. The show at the Olympia Halle was the icing on the cake. Many fond memories. Randi singing “Take It To The Limit” blew me away.
Thanks for your comment. How lucky you were to get to see him on that tour!