Triple Played: Celebrating artists’ lives after they’re gone
By Rock Cesario
Friday, January 29, 2016
In the past few weeks we have had to say good-bye to David Bowie and Glenn Frey.
That wasn’t an easy thing for their fans to do.
I am a big fan of both men, each for different reasons, and their deaths hit me very hard. This is due in part to my adoration for the men and their music. It is also because there was no prior news of either of them being sick, and both were not yet in their 70s. Keeping something like that private in this day and age of information is not an easy task.
Interest in artists’ work always increases exponentially after their passing, kind of like Church attendance during the holidays. Our one-stop is sold out of almost every recorded CD and DVD featuring Bowie or Frey. That also happened with Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jerry Garcia and others.
For those who were lifelong fans who collected and celebrated these artists’ music, it isn’t a problem because they already have what they want.
For the fans who celebrate artists’ lives and careers after the fact or those who want more, there are many ways to access their music. YouTube and Spotify have all of these artists’ mainstream music as well as live shots or recordings that will surprise even the most ardent fan. The history of the Eagles plays differently to me now that Frey is gone.
David Bowie was a stylist and a visionary, who went against the grain from the start. He also was a rocker whose far-reaching influence will continue to be felt for years. Without him there would be no Madonna, Culture Club, Nirvana or Lady Gaga, among others.
Just as rock ‘n’ roll was mellowing out in the early ‘70s, Bowie shocked everyone with his music and clothes. He became a big part of my music after I got out of high school. I loved Bowie, but I lived and breathed the Eagles.
I bought the Eagles first album in when it came out in 1972, and was immediately drawn to the Frey’s songs first. “Take It Easy,” “Peaceful Easy Feeling,” “Most of Us Are Sad,” “Earlybird,” “Chug All Night” and “Nightingale.” His smooth laid-back voice fit the country rock sound of most of those songs.
I bought “Desperado” when it came out in 1973, and immediately fell in love with the record. Frey sang lead on “Twenty-One,” “Tequila Sunrise,” “Outlaw Man” and “Out Of Control.”
Todd Crone and I went to Mazzuca’s to buy the Eagles’ third record, “On The Border,” and went to his parents’ house to immediately listen to it.
At first, we didn’t like it because we thought it rocked too much. In the “History of the Eagles” special on Showtime, Frey said that is exactly what they were trying to do. It was why they added Don Felder to the band at that point.
Frey said, “I’m from Detroit. I’m a rocker.”
I would have to say that nowadays “On The Border” is my favorite Eagles record, and I like their first three better than the others.
From 1972 until 1980, I listened to the Eagles more than any other band and maybe all the others put together. Frey was a big reason for that.
“On the day that I die, I just might scream. If I’m alive in the morning. I’ll be alive in a dream.”
— Glenn Frey” from “Chug All Night” on “Eagles,” 1972.