On March 21st and 22nd, 1977, the Eagles played sold-out shows at the Capital Centre in Largo, MD. Both of the shows were filmed. Here we take a deep dive into the concerts and existing footage.
Location: The Bistro, Beverly Hills
Grammy party for “Hotel California,” which had won Record Of The Year. This may have been the first meeting between Randy and Glenn since Randy left the Eagles at the end of the Hotel California tour in July 1977.
These images were taken in Miami while the Eagles were recording Hotel California at Criteria Studios. They are dated by the June 24th, 1976 issue of the Miami Herald Don Henley is reading in the third photo. The hotel and restaurant photos were taken at a Howard Johnson’s in Miami. Many of these photos were originally published in the Eagles’ Hotel California Song Book and Tour Book.
Don Henley is reading from a Miami Herald newspaper dated June 24th, 1976.
The placemat on Randy’s table matches a placemat from Howard Johnson’s restaurant.
Randy is wearing Fred Perry Etonic tennis shoes, named for the famous tennis player.
Photos from this session were used for publicity for the Hotel California album and tour, including the individual shots of the band (the photo of Don Felder was taken in 1975 by Norman Seeff).
Photographers: David Alexander/Norman Seeff
The cover photos of the Beverly Hills Hotel at sunset, taken at Will Rodgers Memorial Park, and the back cover and gatefold, taken in the lobby of the Lido Apartments in Los Angeles, were taken by David Alexander. The cover was designed by Kosh and Don Henley.
A poster insert was included with first issues of the album. It showed the band posed on a bed. According to photographer, Norman Seeff, this photo was a composite (multiple photos combined to create one image).
“Soon after commencing this session, the band walked out. I had no idea why at the time. A week later, I showed them a poster design I had created by combining a number of individual shots. They loved it and all was forgiven. It became a poster insert for the HOTEL CALIFORNIA album.”
Norman Seeff
Below are outtakes from this session.
Tucked away near the end of Hotel California is the last song Randy wrote during his tenure with the Eagles, “Try And Love Again.” Today, the song is considered a deep track, but in 1976, it was a hit with contemporary critics, who felt it was the highlight of the album.
The Eagles toured Germany as part of their 1977 European Tour. Valerie Carter was the opening act. This was Randy’s second visit to the Germany. […]
The Eagles performed two nights at the Apollo in Glasgow, Scotland on April 30th-May 1st, 1977. Joe Walsh played the bagpipes in a kilt, and Randy’s version of “Take It To The Limit” was a highlight.
