The Eagles At The Capital Centre, March 1977: A Closer Look
We take a deep dive into the concerts and footage from the Eagles’ two-night stint at the Capital Centre in 1977.
EAGLES
Akron University Gym, Akron, OH
May 13, 1973
The Eagles opened for Spooky Tooth
“Ex-Poco member, Randy Meisner, made his subtle and important mark on the evening by doing his “Certain Kind Of Fool” and “Tryin'”–both numbers of high energy and Poco-like vocals. Meisner’s bass playing is simple, but steady.” -Jim Gerard, Cleveland Scene, May 17, 1973
“A Certain Kind Of Fool”
Learn more about “Certain Kind Of Fool,” co-written and sung by Randy Meisner, from the Eagles’ second studio album, the outlaw-themed DESPERADO.
EAGLES
Henry Levitt Arena
Wichita State University
Wichita, Kansas, November 15th, 1976
J.D. Souther opened.
Randy lent his “well-groomed soprano to ‘Take It To The Limit.” (Wichita Beacon, November 16, 1976)
Photo Archive: Eagles, Vancouver, April 19th, 1972
Location: Backstage at Pacific Coliseum, Vancouver, BC, Canada, April 19th, 1972. The band opened for Joe Cocker.
This photo of the group was published in the May 13th, 1972 issue of RPM, a Canadian trade publication. The caption referred to the band as “Eagle,” which may not be a misprint since they were also called Eagle at their next two shows in Spokane and Portland (also opening for Joe Cocker).
L-R: Randy, Bernie Leadon, Glenn Frey, Don Boas (with Kinney Services, the international distributor for Warner Bros, later known as WEA), Asylum Records general manager, John Hartmann, and Don Henley.
EAGLES
Festival Hall, Brisbane, Australia
January 20th, 1976
The Eagles kicked off a ten-day tour of Australia. This was the first show with Joe Walsh in the band.
For this show, Randy wore a shirt for Average White Band’s AWB album. He is also playing a rare Fender Telecaster bass.
Flying Across The Spectrum: The Eagles in Philly, 1975
The Eagles played The Spectrum in Philadelphia, May 17, 1975. Read about the show and listen to both songs Randy performed that night.
Chuck’s Cellar & The Origin Of The Eagles
Randy Meisner first met Glenn Frey & Don Henley when he filled in for Linda Ronstadt’s bassist at a place called Chuck’s Cellar in Los Altos, CA in June 1971.
EAGLES
Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles
December 31, 1974
Dan Fogelberg opened. They also invited a few guests to join them.
That’s Randy with the beard in the photos from the show.
“When midnight arrived, the Eagles treated everybody to a bluegrass treatment of ‘Auld Lang Syne,’ released a passelfull of balloons and let loose a gorilla who threw bananas to the audience. Then they invited a few of their friends, including Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne and opening act Dan Fogelberg–on stage to join them for ‘Take It Easy.'” (San Pedro News-Pilot, January 4, 1975)
Joe Walsh was also among the guests.
Randy performed on New Year’s Eve at least nine times over the course of his career. Here are the other appearances:
Drivin’ Dynamics, Little Moon Lake, Torrington, Wyoming, December 31, 1962
Drivin’ Dynamics, Terry’s Arena, Terrytown NE, December 31, 1964
Pogo, Shrine Hall, Los Angeles, December 31, 1968
Roberts-Meisner Band, Calvary Presbyterian Church, San Francisco, December 31, 1987
Roberts-Meisner Band, Sheraton Harbor Island, San Diego, December 31, 1988
Meisner, Swan & Rich, Lake Of The Torches Casino, Green Bay, WI, December 31, 1996
World Classic Rockers, Hilton Waikoloa Village, Hilo, Hawaii, December 31, 2003
World Classic Rockers, Hilton Waikoloa Village, Hilo, Hawaii, December 31, 2005
“There Was Magic When We Played Live” – The Eagles in Colorado, December 1971
In November and December 1971, the Eagles were sent to Colorado by David Geffen to develop their sound and audition for legendary producer Glyn Johns.
EAGLES
Kiel Opera House, St. Louis, MO
December 13, 1973
Dan Fogelberg opened.
The review below also includes an interview with Don Henley and Glenn Frey backstage. Randy and Bernie did not contribute much, but “stuck their heads in to add dry wit from time to time.”
At the show, the Eagles played a couple of numbers that would eventually end up on On The Border, including “Good Day In Hell” and “Ol’ 55” (sung by Glenn, but the author incorrectly states it was sung by Bernie). They also played “Be Good To Your Badman” (aka “Bad Man”), co-written by J.D. Souther and Glenn Frey, which did not end up on On The Border, but did become the first track on Randy’s first solo album in 1978.
Nearing The End – The Eagles At Fort Worth, July 1977
The Eagles performed two nights in a row at the Tarrant County Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas on July 7-8, 1977. These shows marked the next to last concert appearances of Randy Meisner with the band.
Debunking The Myths: The Knoxville 1977 Concert, “Take It To The Limit,” and Randy Meisner’s Departure From The Eagles
The real story behind the Knoxville 1977 concert, using facts from published reviews, plus Randy’s own words.
Photo Archive: Eagles, Japan, February 1976
Photographer: Koh Hasebe
Location, Eagles Press Conference, Tokyo
Photos
Photo Archive: Randy Meisner and Don Henley, 1980
Location: Record One Studios, Los Angeles
Taken during the recording of Randy’s second solo LP, One More Song. Former Eagles bandmate, Henley, along with Glenn Frey, sang backup on the title track.
