How did you become a fan of the Eagles/a specific Eagle?

[sodascouts]

I love reading these stories! I'm going to merge this with our old thread on it.

[NightMistBlue]

Fun Fact one of my friends is the Step Nephew of Bernie through his Step Mom.

Neat. Has your friend met Uncle Bernie yet?

[NoNottheFootballTeam]

I became a fan during Christmas leave in December, 1972. The U.S. Air Force had seen fit to provide my 20 year old hide with a 13 month, all expenses paid, assignment in the Republic of Korea and I got to come home for Christmas 1972.

My kid's mother (I've always thought "ex" sounded cruel) had purchased the first album shortly after release earlier in the summer. She was already enthralled by the group in December and all she could talk about was PEF. I was only home for 30 days, and after listening to the whole album, that was long enough to become a lifelong fan. In 1983, I even got "custody" of the original vinyl and have it to this day.

I was a security specialist in the service, but while I was in Korea (to avoid boredom), I volunteered as a disc jockey on the Armed Forces Radio (Korea) affiliate.

Now, broadcasts were highly structured. The station dictated what/who got air time and everything, except local announcements, was done (at our affiliate) by tape (think large 8-track tape like cassettes). In Korea, new releases/playlists were significantly behind the U.S. and I don't recall hearing any Eagles play before December, 1972.

The great part is, I also did a weekly "live" show in the Officer's club (I have pictures somewhere). I played current music, played requests (man, did I get tired of hearing, "shake the ribbon from your hair...") and tried to insert entertaining chatter.

This was MY show and equipment, so guess what? I took that Eagles album back with me at the end of my leave (in Jan. '73) and wore it out in the barracks and at the O-Club. Finally....something new that beat out the Allman Bros. "Eat a Peach" album.

Anyway, I'm pretty certain I introduced plenty of Air Force personnel to the Eagles before they showed up on the playlist on AFKN (and before my permanent return to U.S. in May '73).

I continued to be a fan, wearing out the 8-track version of OOTN and the Hotel California album, but didn't get to see them live until Arrowhead Stadium in 1978 (I think). I went with my nephew (a local studio drummer) because we had a bet/dispute over Bernie's lead on PEF...my nephew knew it was on a guitar and I said it had to be a pedal steel (this is before I knew what a B-bender guitar even was).

Even though I purchased almost every album, the HFO and Farewell 1 DVDs, I didn't see them live again until the HOTE tour (KC, St Louis, LA and Omaha).

That was how/when. Sorry this is my first ever (lengthy) post....I've been lurking and reading every couple weeks since 2014. I looked the forum up after attending the HOTE tour at the Forum in LA (1/25/14) and just have never felt comfortable posting on any forum.

I sure hope you all will allow me to continue to drop in every couple of weeks. I hope the forum never goes away....ya'll seem like good folks.

Oh yeah...the forum handle. I attended so many HOTE shows that it became a joke when people would ask about "plans," they would inevitably ask "the football Eagles." And of course, I always had to reply "no, not the football team"....the greatest American rock band ever.

[UndertheWire]

Thanks for the entertaining post. I hope you continue to drop in and even post occasionally.

[LuvTim]

Great post, NNtFT!
And thanks for your service.

[sodascouts]

So glad you finally decided to post. You have quite a story. Welcome and please continue to visit!

[NightMistBlue]

I would just like to add my "yeah, man!" to the general consensus. Don't be no stranger, NoNottheFootballTeam.

[Brooke]

NNtFT, welcome to the Border and glad you finally decided to post! Love your story!

[Jonny Come Lately]

NNtFT, I really enjoyed reading your story. I like your username too, it makes me smile. It's cool that you got to see them both sides of the 14 year vacation.

[NOLA]

Intriguing story, NNTFT, and a hearty welcome from a fellow veteran.