The Bicentennial in Tampa, July 4th, 1976

A crowd of nearly 40,000 packed Tampa Stadium on America’s 200th anniversary for “4th Of July Jubilation,” an outdoor concert featuring The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac and Loggins & Messina. A bootleg recording exists of the concert. You can hear the full show, including Randy’s three lead-singing performances, below.

“It was a bang up Fourth Of July party, but one that a founding father never could understand.” (Bob Ross, Tampa Bay Times, July 5, 1976)

The Eagles hit the stage around 9:30pm with their anthem, “Take It Easy.” A few songs later, “Lyin’ Eyes” was dedicated to presidential candidate, Ronald Reagan, and Elizabeth Ray, a secretary, who was involved in a highly publicized sex scandal at the time involving her boss, U.S. Rep. Wayne Hays of Ohio. Next was “Take It To The Limit,” the first of three songs Randy sang that night. Between encores, which included “James Dean'” and “Best Of My Love,” there were fireworks with displays in the shape of the state of California, the American flag, and an eagle. Spotlights roamed the audience with blue and white beams. The band was evidently unaware that there would be fireworks during their show.

Concert

Below: Roadie Tommy Nixon, in visor, hustles the band to the stage. Photo by David Alexander.

For the 4th of July show, Randy decked out in a red, white and blue ensemble of red polo shirt, blue jeans, and a white Fender bass. Glenn Frey chose to pay homage to the original Americans with a Chief Red Cloud t-shirt.

More Photos

Audio

Below are the three songs that featured Randy on lead vocal that evening. This is an audience recording, so the audio quality is far from perfect.

“Take It To The Limit”

After an intro by Glenn Frey, Randy delivers a flawless performance of his hit song. Unfortunately, the people around the recording device chitchat through most of it, but go berserk after Randy’s 6-second, world-ending high note at the end. After about 45 seconds of applause, Glenn comes to the mic and says “How about Randy?” (or something to that effect.)

“Midnight Flyer”

Our friends around the recording device decide to clap along instead of chitchat during this song.

“Too Many Hands”

Another intro by Glenn. The audio cuts in and out about 90 seconds into the performance.

Hear the Eagles’ entire show here:

The first song, “Take It Easy,” doesn’t begin until 1:40.

Setlist
(via audio recording)

Take It Easy
Outlaw Man
Desperado (Reprise)
Turn To Stone
Seven Bridges Road
Lyin’ Eyes
Take It To The Limit
Desperado
Midnight Flyer
Already Gone
One Of These Nights
Funk 49
Too Many Hands
Good Day In Hell
Witchy Woman
Rocky Mountain Way
James Dean
Best Of My Love

Reviews

Central Florida (University) Future, July 16, 1976:

Tampa Bay Times, July 5, 1976:

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Randy performed on the 4th of July at least two other times during his career. One documented performance was with his high school band, The Dynamics, at Terry’s Arena in Terrytown, Nebraska (near his hometown of Scottsbluff) in 1963. Another was with Poco in 1990 when they played “Freedom Fest” at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, TX.

_{Ad for The Dynamics at Terry’s Arena (Randy at far right):}