glenn frey

SUMMARY:
Songwriters Hall of Famer JD Souther joins Scott and Paul for an in-depth interview to kick off the New Year! 

PART ONE:
Paul and Scott welcome two very special guests (ages 8 and 5) to help set the tone for the new year. Plus they reveal the clever message a listener sent in to win the Stax Christmas LP from the last episode. 

PART TWO:
Our in-depth conversation with JD Souther

ABOUT JD SOUTHER:
JD Souther is perhaps best known for writing or co-writing ten songs recorded by the Eagles, including “Victim of Love,” “The Sad Café,” “How Long,” and the #1 hits “Best of My Love,” “New Kid in Town,” and “Heartache Tonight.” Another ten of his songs were recorded by Linda Ronstadt, among them “Faithless Love,” “Prisoner in Disguise,” and “Simple Man, Simple Dream.” The list of other artists who have drawn from the JD Souther songbook includes Bonnie Raitt, Rod Stewart, Conway Twitty, Glen Campbell, George Strait, Trisha Yearwood, Tom Jones, Roy Orbison, Raul Malo, Michael Buble, India.Arie, and Crosby, Stills & Nash. Additionally, JD co-wrote three songs with Don Henley on his End of the Innoncence album, including “Heart of the Matter,” and found success with the Dixie Chicks’ cover of his “I’ll Take Care of You.” As an artist, JD launched his career with the group Longbranch / Pennywhistle, which he founded with future Eagle Glenn Frey. Soon after, he co-founded the Souther-Hillman-Furay Band with Chris Hillman of The Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers, and Richie Furay of Buffalo Springfield and Poco. In total, JD has released seven solo studio albums between 1972 and 2015, and landed two Top 10 hits as a recording artist with “You’re Only Lonely” and the James Taylor duet “Her Town Too.” Souther was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2013. 

Within a year after getting his first guitar donated by his sister’s boyfriend, Jimmy Gilmer of Sugar Shack fame, Jim Parker was playing in a band and later became a founding member of The Illusions that landed a record deal with Dot Records. In 1966 he and his buddies decided to leave their hometown of Amarillo, Texas, and head to Los Angeles. During that time, The Illusions became “The Kitchen Cinq” recording with Lee Hazelwood’s LHI label for three years. This later led to jobs with other recording bands like Armageddon and THEM (post Van Morrison) with some studio work with Sonny and Cher and various recording artists on the side. Fifty years later, on August 28, 2015, AceRecords of the UK and its affiliate US label Light in the Attic Records released “The Kitchen Cinq, When the Rainbow Disappears”, as an anthology complete with a booklet of photos and history of the band.

Moving to Nashville in 1975 was the beginning of another serendipitous phase of Jim’s career where he met a young John Anderson and began writing successful chart songs. Then Jim branched out and has co-written with many #1, Hall of Fame and Grammy winning songwriters over the years and continues to do so today. 

Jim is the creator and host of a popular series at the Von Braun Center Playhouse in Huntsville, AL since 2005 called Jim Parker’s Songwriters Series ® where he showcases the incredible talent of his hit songwriter friends from Nashville, Muscle Shoals, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Canada and surrounding areas. Without the songwriter there would be no music because it all begins with a songwriter and a song. Learn more about Jim Parker at  JimParkerMusic.com

Host Lee Zimmerman is a freelance music writer whose articles have appeared in several leading music industry publications. Lee is a former promotions representative for ABC and Capital Records and director of communications for various CBS affiliated television stations. Lee authored "Americana Music - Voices, Visionaries & Pioneers of an Honest Sound," as well as his recent book about legendary producer and engineer Jim Gains "Thirty Years Behind The Glass. Lee also played a key role in securing airplay for Jimmy Buffett’s first major hit, “Margaritaville.” During his time at Capital records Lee also worked with such legends as Paul McCartney, Bob Seger, the Steve Miller Band, and others. You can contact Lee at lezim@bellsouth.net

Podcast producer/cohost Billy Hubbard is a Tennessee based Americana Singer/Songwriter and former Regional Director of A&R for a Grammy winning company, as well as a music and podcast producer. Billy is a signed artist with Spectra Music Group and venue developer, booking manager, and co-founder of the iconic venue "The Station" in East Tennessee. As an artist Billy is endorsed by Godin's Simon & Patrick Guitars and his YouTube channel has over 3 million viewers. Billy's new self titled album was released on Spectra Records October 2023 on iTunes and all major outlets! Learn more about Billy online at http://www.BillyHubbard.com

Let’s take a trip from Burning Man in 1994 to Sotheby’s Auction House in 2021; from the Department of Mutant Vehicles to the Radical Inclusion, Diversity & Equity stewardship; from Oregon to Nebraska to Las Vegas; from a sense of wonder to BRC 2022. Listening to this may inspire you to do something you hadn’t considered before.

Burning Man Culture: Radical Inclusion, Diversity & Equity

Burning Man: Sotheby's Art Auction: Boundless Space

Burning Man Staff: Patrice Mackey aka Chef Juke

www.chefjuke.com

Burning Man: Henry Chang and Artgineering

LIVE.BURNINGMAN.ORG

live@burningman.org

LIVE.BURNINGMAN.ORG

The Eagles, Hotel California (Album)

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Hotel California

Recorded/Produced by Bill Szymczyk (Simzik) between March and October, 1976

The Eagles (for this album)  

Don Felder 

Glenn Frey 

Don Henley 

Randy Meisner (last album)

Joe Walsh (first album, replaced founding member Bernie Leadon)

Released: December 8th, 1976

No budget info.

Did find that the writes of the song, Hotel California, Don Felder is reportedly worth over $60M in 2021. Don Henley is reportedly worth $250M, Glenn Frey (who passed in 2016) was worth a reported $120M.

Ratings:   RYM (Rate Your Music) 3.31/5; Google Users 93%

At the 20th Grammy Awards in 1978, the Eagles won a Grammy Award for the single "Hotel California", which won Record of the Year, and for "New Kid in Town," for best arrangement for voices. The album was nominated for Album of the Year but lost to Fleetwood Mac's Rumours. Three singles were released from the album, with two topping the Billboard Hot 100, "New Kid in Town" and "Hotel California", while "Life in the Fast Lane" reached No. 11.

Hotel California is the 7th best-selling albums of all time. It has been certified 26× Platinum in the US, and has sold over 32 million copies worldwide, making it the band's best-selling album after Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975). It has been ranked as one of the greatest albums of all time. In 2003 and 2012, it was ranked number 37 on Rolling Stone's list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time". A 40th anniversary special edition of Hotel California was released in November 2017.

The first song written for the album was "Hotel California", which became the theme for the album. Henley said the themes of the songs on the album:

"They're the same themes that run through all of our work: loss of innocence, the cost of naiveté, the perils of fame, of excess; exploration of the dark underbelly of the American dream, idealism realized and idealism thwarted, illusion versus reality, the difficulties of balancing loving relationships and work, trying to square the conflicting relationship between business and art; the corruption in politics, the fading away of the Sixties dream of "peace, love and understanding."

On the title "Hotel California", Henley said that "the word, 'California,' carries with it all kinds of connotations, powerful imagery, mystique, etc., that fires the imaginations of people in all corners of the globe. There's a built-in mythology that comes with that word, an American cultural mythology that has been created by both the film and the music industry." In an interview with the Dutch magazine ZigZag shortly before the album's release, Don Henley said:

"This is a concept album, there's no way to hide it, but it's not set in the old West, the cowboy thing, you know. It's more urban this time (…) It's our bicentennial year, you know, the country is 200 years old, so we figured since we are the Eagles and the Eagle is our national symbol, that we were obliged to make some kind of a little bicentennial statement using California as a microcosm of the whole United States, or the whole world, if you will, and to try to wake people up and say 'We've been okay so far, for 200 years, but we're gonna have to change if we're gonna continue to be around.'"

First time you heard the album?

Album:

Original Lineup (which was changed with the 40th anniversary bonus disc, Live at the LA Forum recording)

"Hotel California" Written by: Don Felder Don Henley Glenn Frey. Vocals: Don Henley Length: 6:30 (Second single, Feb 22, 77)

-Possibly the most iconic music intro of all time. So good, and so classic.

-Love the story it tells; it always reminded me of The Shining. As stated, its supposed to feel like an episode of The Twilight Zone.

-It's such a journey through the whole song, obviously of over indulgence and learning

-the Eagles themselves describing the song as their "interpretation of the high life in Los Angeles". In the 2013 documentary History of the Eagles, Henley said that the song was about "a journey from innocence to experience ... that's all".

-Henley reiterated:

On just about every album we made, there was some kind of commentary on the music business, and on American culture in general. The hotel itself could be taken as a metaphor not only for the myth-making of Southern California, but for the myth-making that is the American Dream, because it is a fine line between the American Dream, and the American nightmare.

"New Kid in Town" Written by: Henley, Frey, J.D. Souther, Vocals: Glenn ,Frey, Length: 5:04 (First single released, Dec 7, 76)

-I always thought this had a Jimmy Buffet vibe, seems to be about love, loss, and moving on.

-Souther said, “It’s about the fleeting, fickle nature of love and romance,” he said. “It’s also about the fleeting nature of fame, especially in the music business. We were basically saying, ‘Look, we know we’re red hot right now but we also know that somebody’s going to come along and replace us—both in music and in love.”

"Life in the Fast Lane" Written by: Henley, Frey, Joe Walsh, Vocals: Henley, Length: 4:46 (3rd single, May 3, 77)

-Epic intro riff. Such a damn fun song. Obviously about, well, life in the fast lane, and its consequences.

-Surprised they dropped a 'GD' in '76

-Frey said, “I was riding shotgun in a Corvette with a drug dealer on the way to a poker game. The next thing I know we’re doing 90. Holding! Big-Time! I say ‘Hey man!’ He grins and goes ‘Life in the fast lane!’ I thought, ‘Now there’s a song title,’” Frey explained in the 2013 documentary, History of the Eagles.

Guitarist Joe Walsh once said, “Life in the Fast Lane” embodies the stereotypical Los Angeles spirit and the “‘’run around in your Porsche’ 24-hour boogie mode that unfortunately is too true for a lot of people,”

"Wasted Time" Written by: Henley, Frey, Vocals: Henley, Length: 4:55

-Intro kinda sounds like desperado. Seems to be about starting over, moving on, new relationships; after a long one, or just being older.

-Seems like an early version of a power ballad (like 80's rock bands did)

-Frey said, “I loved all the records coming out of Philadelphia at that time. I sent for some sheet music so I could learn some of those songs, and I started creating my own musical ideas with that Philly influence. Don was our Teddy Pendergrass (a soul singer). He could stand out there all alone and just wail. We did a big Philly-type production with strings — definitely not country-rock. You’re not going to find that track on a Crosby, Stills & Nash record or Beach Boys record. Don’s singing abilities stretched so many of our boundaries. He could sing the phone book. It didn’t matter.”

Side two

"Wasted Time" (Reprise) Written by: Henley, Frey, Jim Ed Norman, No Vocals: instrumental, Length: 1:22

-A purely musical piece continuing the mood and feeling of the previous track.

"Victim of Love" Written by: Felder, Henley, Frey, Souther, Vocals: Henley, Length: 4:11

-Back to that rock/country sound/tone hard on this one.

-Seems to be pretty surface level theme; someone was wronged by a ex-love and possibly revenge motive

-Don Felder, explained: "We were trying to move in a heavier direction, away from country rock. And so I wrote 16 or 17 song ideas, kind of in a more rock and roll direction, and 'Victim of Love' was one of those songs. I remember we went in the studio and we recorded it live with five guys playing. The only thing that wasn't played in a live session was the lead vocal and harmony on the choruses. Everything else was recorded live."

"Pretty Maids All in a Row" Written by: Walsh, Joe Vitale, Vocals: Joe Walsh, Length: 4:05

-Another piano intro like New Kid In Town. Definitely a reminiscent song... Growing up, moving on, and looking back.

-It's a quick song, very etherical.

-Who are the “pretty maids” the singer talks about? Some analysts believe that the reunited friends in question are actually former lovers (actually a married couple who are now divorced). Now, the couple, having met each other again after a long time, find themselves swimming through memories from their wedding day. Hence the row of beautiful maids.

Some Eagles fans also believe the maids in question are actually the girls The Eagles normally saw lingering outside their hotel rooms whenever they finished performing a show. So the band members are basically reminiscing about those interesting days.

"Try and Love Again" Written by: Randy Meisner, Vocals: Randy Meisner, Length: 5:10

-Its more light than the others. It's about fond memories, and looking ahead. Loving again after heartbreak. Having a positive outlook after sadness. (Mattox)

-Its definitely a different sound than the other songs, but in a good way.

-The lyrics are earnest. The lyrics express a man trying to overcome feeling of doubt concerning getting back out there after a breakup. Will I be able to love again? Is it even worth it? Will I end up hurting more? 

"The Last Resort" Written by: Henley, Frey, Vocals: Henley, Length: 5:16

-It's definitely a heartfelt song about destruction.

-It is a huge statement about development and environmentalism.

-Henley said: "The Last Resort, on Hotel California, is still one of my favorite songs... That's because I care more about the environment than about writing songs about drugs or love affairs or excesses of any kind. The gist of the song was that when we find something good, we destroy it by our presence - by the very fact that man is the only animal on earth that is capable of destroying his environment. The environment is the reason I got into politics: to try to do something about what I saw as the complete destruction of most of the resources that we have left. We have mortgaged our future for gain and greed."

**BONUS**: Seven Bridges Road: Written by Steve Young (1969):

-Never really listened to the lyrics, but this song takes you on a journey. It's incredible.

-Inspired by a rural thoroughfare in Alabama that leads from Georgiana to the Oakwood Annex Cemetery in Montgomery (final resting place of Hank Williams), the song weds an unforgettable melody with lyrics that are hauntingly specific:

“There are stars in the southern sky/Southward as you go.”

Top Five Trivia of the movie (From Ultimate Classic Rock https://ultimateclassicrock.com/eagles-hotel-california-facts/): 

5: Don Felder did not expect Hotel California to be a hit because of the length, and it's composition

4: The working title was “Mexican Reggae," given by Don Henley

3: When it came time to record the song, Don Felder had forgotten what he’d written. he had to have his maid at home play the song over the phone and put it back together, since it had been a year since he composed it and they recorded.

2: There are countless theories as to the architectural inspiration behind "Hotel California," Eagles maintained the song was always an overarching metaphor for the fleeting materialism and wealth of California, but fans began to wonder if a real-life hotel had inspired the song, ranging from local psychiatric hospitals to Aleister Crowley's mansion in Scotland to the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles.

1: The photo on the album cover nearly got the band sued. According to Henley, "We were enamored with hotels...Hotels were a big part of our lives. The Beverly Hills Hotel had become something of a focal point — literally and symbolically. I’ve always been interested in architecture and the language of architecture, and, at that time, I was particularly keen on the mission style of early California. I thought there was a certain mystery and romance about it." When word finally got out which hotel it was, and as the album soared on the charts, the Beverly Hotel threatened with a cease-and-desist, but then backed off after they noticed their bookings had tripled.

TOP 5

Stephen:

1 Breakfast club

2 T2

3 Sandlot

4 Back to the Future

5 Mail order brides

Chris:

1. sandlots

2. T2

3. trick r treat

4. rocky horror picture show

5. hubie halloween

Trey:

Meatballs

Boondocks Saints

Mail Order Brides

Sandlot

Lone Survivor

Tucker:

1. Beer review 

2. T2

3. Gross Pointe Blank

4. Mail order brides

5. Escape rooms

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Thank you,

-The Guys

A great chat with my old friend, Rich Mangicaro! Rich and I discussed his 34 years in the Drum Industry, including almost 20 years as the former Director of Artist Relations at Paiste Cymbals, and his 10 years as Marketing and Artist Relations for Gon Bops percussion, as well as his career as a professional touring and recording musician. He had some great Jeff Porcaro stories too! 

https://linktr.ee/live_from_my_drum_room

www.youtube.com/c/JohnDeChristopherLiveFromMyDrumRoom

"Is this the gentleman who disabled an unmarked unit with a banana?"

Have you ever been a fish outta water at any time in your life?

Have you ever found yourself somewhere or in a situation you weren’t supposed to be in or in a place totally foreign and alien to you?

That is certainly the case with our beloved quick-tongued, street-smart  rebellious detective, Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy), in this week’s movie, Beverly Hills Cop!!

One of the most successful movies of the 80s and of all-time, join us as we ditch the darkened streets of Detroit for the glossy and sunny streets of Beverly Hills as our beloved detective brings a little Motor City mayhem to the coast as he seeks justice for his murdered friend. But also to find out if Beverly Hills Cop is still the best buddy cop movie ever!!

“I never been in no cell that had a phone in it. Can I stay for a while, 'cause I ordered some pizza.”

A very special and enjoyable chat with one of my drumming heros, the legendary Joe Vitale! Joe and I discussed his incredible 50+ year career as the groove behind rock icons, Joe Walsh, Peter Frampton, CSNY and The Eagles, including stories behind making all those iconic records. We also discussed his excellent book, "Backstage Pass" with Joe sharing many funny stories. 

https://linktr.ee/live_from_my_drum_room

www.youtube.com/c/JohnDeChristopherLiveFromMyDrumRoom

Although they had been steadily growing in popularity since their debut in the mid-70's, Dire Straits would become a household name with their fifth studio album, Brothers In Arms.  Between the catchy hooks accessible on both rock and adult contemporary radio, and the video-driven appeal of the group on MTV, DIre Strats became an arena group in 1985.

This album found Dire Straits composed of John Illsley on bass, Terry Williams on drums, Alan Clark on piano and organ, Guy Fletcher on synthesizer, and of course the primary driver, songwriter, and co-producer for the album was Mark Knopfler.  Additionally, Jazz drummer Omar Hakim was brought in to re-record much of the percussion work, though Williams remained the drummer for the band.

Knopfler was quite the perfectionist when it came to sound, and this album would be the first to be recorded entirely digitally.  It is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the first compact disc to sell a million copies.

The success Dire Straits had with this album may have led to the groups undoing.  Knopfler was uncomfortable with the fame, thinking that people were coming to the shows for the celebrity rather than the music.  The group would take a hiatus following the "Brothers In Arms" tour, and would produce one more studio album before disbanding.  Knopfler would go on to produce solo work as well as collaborate with other artists including Eric Clapton , Thomas Dolby, and Bob Dylan.  Dire Straits was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.

So Far Away
This is the opening track on the album and the lead single in the UK, released in April of 1985, ahead of the album.  It would be the third single in the US where it hit number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100.  It is about carrying on a long-distance relationship.

Your Latest Trick
A melancholy deep cut, this song features Randy Brecker on trumpet and Michael Brecker on saxophone.  It is clearly referencing prostitution, but it has a feel of loneliness and emptiness.  Some say it is about a relationship and some say it is about society in general.  The night is over, everyone is going home, and the guy is left alone wondering what happened.

One World
Another deep cut, and more blues-oriented.  "Can't get no remedy on my TV, it's nothing but the same old news.  Well, they can't find a way to be one world in harmony.  Can't get no antidote for blues."  Tony Levin was brought in to play bass on this one. 

Walk of Life
This hit almost didn't make the album.  Co-producer Neil Dorfsman voted against its being included, but the band outvoted him.  It made it to number 7 on the US charts, and was one of their biggest commercial hits in the UK, peaking at number 2 there.  It is about the street musicians in London playing standards in the subways.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

This is Not America by Pat Metheny and David Bowie (from the motion picture The Falcon and the Snowman)
This show about American kids turned Soviet spies was in the theaters in February 1985, and this song was on the charts in May.

STAFF PICKS:

Obsession by Animotion
Wayne kicks off our staff picks with a synth pop hit that was a staple of every dance floor in 1985.  Animotion covered this song, originally performed by Holly Knight and Michael Des Barres in 1983.  The song was developed at first thinking about the obsession of drugs, but it transformed into an obsession with a person when it was done. 

Smuggler's Blues by Glenn Frey
Brian's staff pick was well known at the time from Miami Vice.  "You be cool for 20 hours and I'll pay you 20 grand."  One of the things that made Miami Vice such a popular draw was its use not just of cool actors in Miami, but also using cameos from the music world.  Glenn Frey appeared as a smuggler in the episode where "Smuggler's Blues" was played.

Sussudio by Phil Collins
Rob's staff pick is the lead track from Collins' third solo album "No Jacket Required."  The drum machine and horns made this a polarizing song, with lots of people loving it and lots hating it.  It was a big hit in the summer of 1985, and Phil Collins has mentioned that this song is the one most often sung to him when strangers approach.

Marlene on the Wall by Suzanne Vega
Bruce closes out the staff picks with a song inspired by Marlene Dietrich.  Singer songwriter Suzanne Vega heard Dietrich responding to a controversial statement, "You have lead many men to death with your body." with the perfect response, "Give me a kiss."  This was the lead track off Vega's debut album, dealing with loneliness and a strained relationship.

INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

The Lady In My Life by Stanley Jordan
Jazz guitarist Stanley Jordan covers a deep cut from Michael Jackson's Thriller album to close out this week's podcast.

Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?” 

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**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.

Wanna hear the album? Listen to Hotel California on Spotify!
Check out our playlist featuring albums on The Countdown!
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Big Daddy Graham's Countdown is produced by Last Out Media.

Diane and Sean discuss the Cameron Crowe rom-dram-sports-com, Jerry Maguire. Episode music is "Secret Garden" by Bruce Springsteen, and "The Magic Bus" by The Who from the OST. This episode also features "New Age Girl" by Deadeye Dick. Find us on Twitter @WhyDoWeOwnThis1

Bob's in studio talking about the release of his album " I Knew You When" - we share stories of Glenn Frey and Bob's relationship (much more than friends). Plus Bob talks about playing in a cave with Ted Nugent and takes questions from CSX listeners. 

We start off with a classic TV interview featuring Bob in 1976 (great insight into his musical influences), then it's Mickey Thomas of Starship picking a Seger song to cover - Michael Bolton and his connection to Bob, Steve Winwood and the Bob Seger song reference, then finally a great story from Bob about Glenn Frey's Mom not trusting him.