did any of them ever hang out with

[alreadygone]

Dennis Wilson of the beach boys? I've read a book about them called "Heroes and Villains" and contrary to there image of a clean-cut all american band, they had some problems after there 1962-1966 run of popularity.

In the 1970s, Dennis was hanging out with all sorts of musicians like Harry Nilson and some of the Fleetwood mac members. Out of all of the beach boys, Dennis was the craziest, even more than Brian. Although Brian had a lot of mental problems (and of all the members his issues are the most well known) they were self contained and usually within the confines of his own home, while Dennis was more like a tornado wreaking havoc to everything around him.

On a side note, one could argue that the LA Sound of the Eagles, Stone Ponys, America etc was sort of the replacement for the pop scene out of LA that died around 1967 (Association, Mamas and the Papas, Beach Boys etc). The beach boys themselves did some music around 1972 (So Tough and Holland albums) where some of the music has that "After the Thrill is Gone" or "I Wish You Peace" sound to it.

[MaryCalifornia]

This is all I have to offer re: Eagles and Beach Boys...not sure about Dennis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBdPbXcAROs

[NightMistBlue]

The Beach Boys harmonies were an influence on Glenn; he spoke about it on the History of the Eagles tour. Brian Wilson's inventive arrangements of four and five-part harmonies inspired him, so there is a musical link between the BB's and the Eagles. Glenn described it as: they were the pioneers and the Eagles were the settlers.

As for a personal link, I wouldn't be surprised if the two bands knew each other in the 70s. For sure they were on the same bill at a huge June 1975 concert at Wembley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KldSglCoYaU

There was a lot of interplay between the Beach Boys and Chicago and their producer Jim Guercio, who were also very friendly with the Eagles & their manager. Carl and Dennis Wilson, as well as Al Jardine, sing back-up on Chicago's "Wishing You Were Here." Guercio owned Caribou Ranch, where Joe Walsh and the Beach Boys recorded. The Eagles also stayed there on at least one occasion when they were touring in the area, IIRC.

And then later, as you noted, there was a link between members of Fleetwood Mac and the Beach Boys.

Long story short: they ran in the same circles

[GlennLover]

Glenn mentioned in an "After Hours" interview when he was talking about Caroline No that he had never met Brian Wilson.

[NightMistBlue]

There goes my theory! :) Ah well, Dennis and Carl were more outgoing, maybe they hung out with the Eagles.

[Jonny Come Lately]

Although I can definitely see how Glenn in particular was influenced by the Beach Boys' famous vocal harmonies, I must admit I personally feel the Eagles belong to a slightly different lineage which really goes back more to the Laurel Canyon crowd of the same era. The early Eagles music has more in common with The Byrds and/or Poco than it does with The Beach Boys IMO.

I'd actually say in a weird way that I hear more of The Beach Boys in the Rumours line up of Fleetwood Mac than I do in the Eagles - in a way I think Lindsey Buckingham picked up Brian Wilson's torch, especially on Tusk where Lindsey was all over the production of the album. I can also see how the Mamas and the Papas influenced FM (please correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to remember reading a story about Lindsey and Stevie meeting when he sung California Dreamin'?), but don't hear any clear influence from them specifically on the Eagles, at least not in any way that couldn't have come from another artist from that time and place. I remember once listening to Rumours and HC back to back and although I absolutely love both albums, my personal perception is there is actually a lot more of the true California Sound in the former than the latter, which has more of a mainstream rock feel. I think it's partly because HC for the most part is a pretty dark record, whereas Rumours has dark lyrics but with mostly relatively 'light' sounding music. Just my money's worth.

[alreadygone]

As for a personal link, I wouldn't be surprised if the two bands knew each other in the 70s. For sure they were on the same bill at a huge June 1975 concert at Wembley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KldSglCoYaU

There was a lot of interplay between the Beach Boys and Chicago and their producer Jim Guercio, who were also very friendly with the Eagles & their manager. Carl and Dennis Wilson, as well as Al Jardine, sing back-up on Chicago's "Wishing You Were Here." Guercio owned Caribou Ranch, where Joe Walsh and the Beach Boys recorded. The Eagles also stayed there on at least one occasion when they were touring in the area, IIRC.


Considering how Walsh was also on the Wembley lineup - is that where the rest of the group met him?

Also, speaking of Chicago, Meisner back then looked like Terry Kath. Anyone agree?

[NightMistBlue]

I think the Eagles met Walsh thru Irving Azoff who started his career with Walsh back in Ohio. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. Walsh and the Eagles were touring together circa 1973, and Walsh recommended his producer Bill Szymzck to the band.
I'm not real familiar with Terry Kath's appearance but no one could be as beautiful as the young Randy Meisner :-)

EDIT: ok, googled Terry Kath - he was chubby and plain, like a less attractive Steve Miller. Nothing like Randy in appearance.

[WalshFan88]

In this video Glenn mentions the Beach Boys influence. This is around the After Hours time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxUPNnmk2xA

[Freypower]

There is also the line he used before Caroline, No & later before the revamped Heartache Tonight (which, sadly, I didn't like) about the Beach Boys being pioneers & the Eagles settlers. I know that this view isn't shared by some but all he was saying was that the Beach Boys were really the first AMERICAN band to do such intricate harmonies.

[Ive always been a dreamer]

Well you can count me as one who REALLY dislikes "The Beach Boys were pioneers and the Eagles were settlers" line. It comes across to me as Glenn downplaying his and the Eagles' contributions, which he sometimes had a tendancy to do. I appreciate his attempts at humility, but some folks interpreted it as devaluing his band (as evidenced by the 'boos' from the audience whenever he made the statement).

I don't take issue with the fact that The Beach Boys were the first AMERICAN band to do such intricate harmonies and they were pioneers in that respect. But, the Eagles too were pioneers in other ways. They may not have been the first to do country rock or intricate harmonies, but they took them to a level never seen before. To me, the Eagles' main legacy is that they paved the way for so many artists, especially in country music. The country music we hear today is what the Eagles were doing in the early 70's (only most of it is not even half as good). Their enormous influence on this genre is unprecedented and, yes, to me, that makes them pioneers, not settlers.

[NightMistBlue]

Oh, I didn't interpret it as Glenn was downplaying the Eagles (or anyone else's) accomplishments. He was just acknowledging his influences, those who came first. Settlers accomplish great things too - they go further than pioneers ever dreamed possible.

BTW, what would we call the generation who comes after the settlers, squatters? :)

Anyway, I love the Beach Boys and think that Brian is a genius BUT he learned virtually everything he knew about harmony from The Lettermen, which he readily acknowledges.

[Ive always been a dreamer]

I understand what you are saying NMB and I also understand the sentiment of what Glenn was trying to convey. However, I don't think that line was an effective way to do it. While I agree The Beach Boys were pioneers, I just personally don't view the Eagles as settlers. JMHO

And as I said above, everytime I ever heard Glenn say that line in live shows, it got a fairly large number of "boos" and "nos", so apparently I'm not alone in my interpretation and dislike of it. All I'm saying is if an entertainer says something that gets a negative reaction from some of their fans, maybe they should consider a better way to communicate it to get their point across.

[NightMistBlue]

Oh wow, that's interesting that it got a bad reaction from the crowd. I don't recall Glenn saying it at the first HOTE show I went to in 2013, but in July 2015 most people laughed like it was a clever turn of phrase and there were also some "awwws" like "what a sweet/classy thing to say."

[Freypower]

I understand what you are saying NMB and I also understand the sentiment of what Glenn was trying to convey. However, I don't think that line was an effective way to do it. While I agree The Beach Boys were pioneers, I just personally don't view the Eagles as settlers. JMHO

And as I said above, everytime I ever heard Glenn say that line in live shows, it got a fairly large number of "boos" and "nos", so apparently I'm not alone in my interpretation and dislike of it. All I'm saying is if an entertainer says something that gets a negative reaction from some of their fans, maybe they should consider a better way to communicate it to get their point across.

The line wasn't booed at the AH shows in Australia. It also wasn't booed at the HOTE shows in Australia. Again I speak for myself. I agree with NMB - settlers go further & consolidate what pioneers began. For once I don't see it as downplaying the Eagles at all, especially when it isn't referring to country rock but to vocal harmonies.

[alreadygone]

my view is not necessarily that the Eagles are that similar to the beach boys musically but rather that they in some ways are the sequel to the beach boys. By that I mean the optimism of the mid-60s gave way to the pessimism of the early 70s and you can sort of see that with the beach boys mostly optimistic and juvenile songs while the eagles tended to have "deeper" sounding music. I mean how else did Southern California go from "California Girls" to "Hotel California" only eleven years later?