Steuart Smith and the 3.0 lineup

[YoungEaglesFan]

Obviously there is a lot of tension amongst the fans on here about the Eagles 3.0 lineup. One question I have that I believe will not create conflict would be the way Steuart Smith is being treated. The band officially calls Vince and Deacon guests but they get to be on the band photo for releases as well as being part of the headline. But Steuart Smith is not mentioned. I know that he is largely a background musician who provides background vocals that aren’t vital to the sound. But he is basically Don Felder in his role in the band, he unlike Vince and Deacon has writing credits on songs including the brilliant WITW. He’s been around for over a decade. I believe that Steuart should at least be treated the same as Deacon and Vince if not better. This is no slight to Vince and Deacon but Steuart is in my mind more of an Eagle than The Glenn replacements and ought to be treated as such. What are your thoughts?

[WalshFan88]

Obviously there is a lot of tension amongst the fans on here about the Eagles 3.0 lineup. One question I have that I believe will not create conflict would be the way Steuart Smith is being treated. The band officially calls Vince and Deacon guests but they get to be on the band photo for releases as well as being part of the headline. But Steuart Smith is not mentioned. I know that he is largely a background musician who provides background vocals that aren’t vital to the sound. But he is basically Don Felder in his role in the band, he unlike Vince and Deacon has writing credits on songs including the brilliant WITW. He’s been around for over a decade. I believe that Steuart should at least be treated the same as Deacon and Vince if not better. This is no slight to Vince and Deacon but Steuart is in my mind more of an Eagle than The Glenn replacements and ought to be treated as such. What are your thoughts?

I agree, YEF. Steuart is fantastic.

[Witchy Woman]

Steuart may be like Hugh McDonald and not mind being in the background, and may prefer it. Hugh has gotten much more face time since Richie Sambora left Bon Jovi, and is even included on T-shirts now, but I'm sure he would have been fine without it. Steuart seems like a quiet, humble man, and may not want all the fuss. The checks still cash the same at the bank.

[WalshFan88]

Steuart may be like Hugh McDonald and not mind being in the background, and may prefer it. Hugh has gotten much more face time since Richie Sambora left Bon Jovi, and is even included on T-shirts now, but I'm sure he would have been fine without it. Steuart seems like a quiet, humble man, and may not want all the fuss. The checks still cash the same at the bank.

That's possible too.

[chaim]

Agreed. In my eyes Steuart is an actual member because of the writing and playing he did on LROOE (after already touring with the band).

[BillBailey1976]

How was it he referred to himself in HOTE, "part collaborator, part hired gun"
He did say though in no uncertain terms, "I'm not an Eagle".

[buffyfan145]

I always wondered this too about Steuart, but I forgot he did say that in the doc. Of course I always wondered too if it was so it looked like Felder didn't get replaced and to avoid any controversy with that. But I always saw him a bit as almost a member too with how long he's been with them now.

[MaryCalifornia]

Steuart is living the life. He has the best of both worlds, he gets to tour and play with the guys and stand up front with them. He is no doubt handsomely rewarded financially, but he doesn't have any of the administrative responsibility. No promotional interviews, photos, press conferences, makeup, etc... - just playing on stage.

No doubt all of the Eagles backing musicians are important to the guys and the band, but none have ever been promoted to being an Eagle.

And as of right now (who knows when it will change) the way the band styles itself Deacon and Vince aren't Eagles either.

[New Kid In Town]

Steuart is living the life. He has the best of both worlds, he gets to tour and play with the guys and stand up front with them. He is no doubt handsomely rewarded financially, but he doesn't have any of the administrative responsibility. No promotional interviews, photos, press conferences, makeup, etc... - just playing on stage.
No doubt all of the Eagles backing musicians are important to the guys and the band, but none have ever been promoted to being an Eagle.
And as of right now (who knows when it will change) the way the band styles itself Deacon and Vince aren't Eagles either.

I totally agree.

[YoungEaglesFan]

Steuart is living the life. He has the best of both worlds, he gets to tour and play with the guys and stand up front with them. He is no doubt handsomely rewarded financially, but he doesn't have any of the administrative responsibility. No promotional interviews, photos, press conferences, makeup, etc... - just playing on stage.

No doubt all of the Eagles backing musicians are important to the guys and the band, but none have ever been promoted to being an Eagle.

And as of right now (who knows when it will change) the way the band styles itself Deacon and Vince aren't Eagles either.

Well I’ve said that the band doesn’t call them Eagles but they still treat them more as part of the band than Steuart Smith

[WalshFan88]

If he doesn't want to be in the promotional material, that's totally fine.

What's not fine is Don and Co not including him and he wanted to be. He's more of an Eagle than Deacon or Vince IMO, who are in the promotional stuff.

We'll never know which it is.

[Freypower]

One difference is Steuart was brought in to replace a guitarist who didn't sing lead. The other two have been brought in to replace a lead singer.

[WalshFan88]

One difference is Steuart was brought in to replace a guitarist who didn't sing lead. The other two have been brought in to replace a lead singer.

True. I just feel like Steuart is more worthy than those two because he's been with them longer and closer to the real band with Glenn. He's paid his dues.

[New Kid In Town]

One difference is Steuart was brought in to replace a guitarist who didn't sing lead. The other two have been brought in to replace a lead singer.

FP & WF - I also agree.
The Eagles concert notifications keep coming up on my FB page as I "liked" the Eagles. I noticed they are billing it as "The Eagles with Vince Gill and Deacon Frey". Is it just me or do they keep changing the billing/wording regarding this ?

[WalshFan88]

FP & WF - I also agree.
The Eagles concert notifications keep coming up on my FB page as I "liked" the Eagles. I noticed they are billing it as "The Eagles with Vince Gill and Deacon Frey". Is it just me or do they keep changing the billing/wording regarding this ?

I think so too.