Biggest song surprise at an Eagles Concert

[BillBailey1976]

I know these days, with the internet being what it is, there's very little mystery out there. You know who will or wont be back on favorite TV shows, you know bands set lists and have probably seen much of the concert via You Tube, before you actually go, but one of my fondest memories was of the huge surprise that I got when I saw the Eagles in 1995 on HFO tour.
I had seen the HFO TV special, bought the VHS, and the cassette tape. Loved it, but I was not crazy about the acoustic Hotel California. I had, however resigned myself to the fact that I wouldn't get to hear the original version live.
When we got to the arena, waiting for the lights to come up, I fully expected to see the same Eagles that I'd seen on TV, sitting on stools, and really expected the same songs, done the same. Needless to say, I was shocked and had goose bumps running up and down my arm when the thunder stopped, and the spot light hits Felder on the double neck....playing the original version of Hotel California!!!!

[sodascouts]

I can only imagine what that must have been like!

For me personally, it was the Doolin Dalton / Desperado Reprise during the History of the Eagles tour. Never in a million years did I EVER think I would hear that live. Holy crap what a moment when that music started up... I got chills!!!! Still do just thinking about it!!!!

[eagles557]

Bill, my dad (who is also named Bill) had the exact same reaction. He had watched the HFO tv special and was not crazy about the acoustic HC version. He figured that was the version he would hear in concert, and then much to his surprise they started the concert with the original version of HC and he was absolutely thrilled.
Soda, I loved hearing that song in concert too. I wasn't familiar with the reprise at the time so I had no idea what it was, but it was beautiful and had to look up that song when I got home.
As for me, hearing The Last Resort last July at Don Henley's solo concert was definitely a pleasant surprise.

[New Kid In Town]

BillBailey - When I saw HFO they did the original version of HC. I like both versions but my favorite is the original.

Soda - I love Doolin Dalton/Desperado Reprise ! One of my favs. Oh how I wish I was able to have seen the HOTE concert. However, things just did not work out.

[Jonny Come Lately]

I'd definitely agree that the inclusion of The Last Resort on Don's last tour was a great surprise. I think a lot of people were pleased it was included - It got a standing ovation at the show I went to, the only non-hit to receive one IIRC.

I really wish I'd seen the HOTE tour - I love all of the rare songs that were on the setlist (it was great that the Desperado album was so well represented too) and would have been delighted to hear Doolin-Dalton and the Reprise live. Those Shoes was another excellent and unexpected inclusion, although I've noticed that it always seems to come out for special occasions - as well as the recent Classic shows and the HOTE tour, it was also included in the Millennium Concert (if memory serves it was also played at Long Night at Wrong Beach, although that was on The Long Run tour so less surprising).

[thelastresort]

Both of mine have already been said! I only ever saw the band on HOTE, so it is without question from that Doolin-Dalton and Doolin-Dalton / Desperado (Reprise), and for Don's Cass County tour it was The Last Resort. Never in a million years did I think either would be revived!

Speaking of HOTE, Saturday Night is one of my all-time favourite Eagles songs, so that was also a pleasant surprise. It was especially effective within the manner and ambiance it was played in.

[WalshFan88]

Those Shoes on the HOTE tour.

I am one of those guys who says The Long Run album gets a bad rap. It's almost to the point I can listen to it straight through without skipping. I love it.

But to hear that, as a HUGE fan of that song, was a real treat I won't forget.

[sodascouts]

One that hasn't been mentioned is "Train Leaves Here This Morning" - but that was more because we never thought we'd see Bernie Leadon onstage with the Eagles again!

[Brooke]

Bernie on stage again would be my biggest surprise, for sure! I guess that's not a song though! So, yes, Train!

[sodascouts]

Yes and we knew he would be there, so perhaps that doesn't quite fit, eh? But I remember not being sure what song he would choose. We were all guessing. Fun times!

[OntheBorder74]

Yes for me it was Doolin Dalton and the reprise of DD and Desperado, to be fair there wern't too many surprises but it was nice they brought back that one as it was a fixture of their 70s setlist and I always thought it the 1975 Springfield recording was my favourite live recording of all time even over any Zeppelin recordings; it just showcases the heavy rock side as well as great vocals particularly at the end.

Plus in winter 2012/spring 2013 in the buildup to the tour I was in my final term of University doing my dissertation and thats when my appreciation for the Desperado album bloomed particularly Glenn's parts in in Doolin Dalton. Couldn't believe they would ever resurrect these album tracks. Will never forget seeing them perform it in the Manchester Arena in 2014. Great memory sorry for the long post as usual lol.

[East Texas Girl]

So wish I could have seen them during HOTE tour, I would have loved to hear Doolin Dalton/Desperado Reprise! One of my favs.