This was Randy’s second visit to Germany. His first trip 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 1911 aboard the Graf Waldersee en route to Philadelphia from Hamburg.
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.
NOTES:
1 The date of the conference is per the band’s itinerary.
2“Eagles: Hol’s der Geier,” Sounds, July 1977.
I’ve provided the article here with a translation. The author is not an Eagles fan. You’ve been warned.
May 7th
Olympiahalle, Munich
Setlist
Olympiahalle, Munich, May 7, 1977
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
Best Of My Love
Take It Easy
Source
May 8
Festhalle, Frankfurt
Setlist
Festhall, Munich, May 8th, 1977
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
Photo © Daniel Halifko
Randy singing “Take It To The Limit” in Frankfurt, May 8, 1977.
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.
According to concert promoter Fritz Rau, the Eagles were particularly impressed with the Festhalle and the Frankfurt audience.1
1Fritz Rau, Backstage 50 Years, 2016
May 9th
Philipshalle, Düsseldorf
Sadly, there is no information about this show.
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.
This is a awesome article.
Hi, Esther! Thank you!