Henley got out from behind the drums to stand front and center with his bandmates on “Life In the Fast Lane,” a scathing commentary about sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll excess. Magical performanceįrom the intricate guitar work to the indelible layered harmonies that has always been part of the Eagles’ endearing signature, “Hotel California” sounded absolutely magical as it unfolded onstage.īehind his drum kit, Henley delivered the road-weary, tortured narrative with anxiety and awe, while Joe Walsh and touring guitarist Steuart Smith, playing a double-neck guitar, combined forces and traded off guitar leads to flesh out the narrative.Ĭoming out like they just rolled onto the set of “Tombstone,” the band was all wearing black gunslinger coats except for Henley, who was wearing a button-up black vest and a long-sleeve white shirt that made him look like Wyatt Earp.Ĭountry singer Vince Gill commandingly sang lead on the evening’s second chart-topper, “New Kid In Town.” A country superstar in his own right, Gill, who doesn’t need the Eagles to make a living or to build his reputation, is the Eagles’ ace in the hole.

With a shimmering “Hotel California” light on stage right, a porter who looked like an extra in the gothic horror movie “The Lighthouse” walked from one end of the stage to the other carrying a vintage vinyl copy of, you guessed it, “Hotel California,” which he placed on a waiting turntable.Īs he dropped the needle on the record, the audience could hear the familiar crackle and pop of their music-listening youth as the stage curtain rose and the nine-piece band marvelously kicked into the title track. However, the Jumbotron of the crowd showed that mask wearing was about 50-50. Everybody in attendance needed to have proof of being double-vaccinated (or a clean bill of health with a negative COVID test) and had to wear a mask in their seat during the concert. This was the Eagles' third concert and second city they have played, as well as the first concert at TD Garden since the pandemic began well over a year ago. BOSTON - For those thinking that being trapped three hours Friday night at the TD Garden with the Eagles could be heaven or could be hell, the crowd was totally digging it and there are plenty of reasons why.įirst off, the Eagles played their 46-year-old classic masterwork (and is the third-biggest-seller of all time in the U.S.) “Hotel California” in its entirety, and it has never sounded better.Īnd after a brief intermission, the band that epitomizes the Laurel Canyon sound of the 1970s played, as Eagles bandleader Don Henley put it, “Every Other Song We Know,” which consisted of 22 additional numbers covering the Eagles’ rich catalog, as well as choice cuts from Henley’s solo projects and Joe Walsh’s days with the James Gang.

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