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

[Ive always been a dreamer]

I agree, PM. Thanks for sharing the story of your fandom, Austin. I hope music continues to enrich your life.

[Koala]

Austin, thanks for sharing your story with us!

[Windeagle]

Wow. These stories are fascinating. Here's mine.

When I was in high school in 1979, I started riding to school with a neighbor who had a new (old) car. It was a 25-minute drive each way. He had exactly two cassette tapes in his car and alternated them each day, one side of the tape for each ride. The first was "The Cars". The second was "Hotel California."

I was not overly impressed with "Hotel California" at the start of that first ride. The first three songs had been all over the radio for a couple of years now, so my reaction was like, "Yeah, the Eagles. Whatever." The songs were good, but they were overplayed. But then... "Wasted Time."

I had never heard any of the album tracks before and this song silenced me. The emotion and soul in that voice and the sparse piano that built to a crecendo gave me chills. And those last lines, "And maybe someday we will find that it wasn't really wasted time" made me want to cry. I had to hear more. I couldn't wait for the ride home.

Side 2 was even better than Side 1. There was so much variety! "Victim of Love", "The Last Resort" and all the rest were just... GREAT SONGS! Who knew the Eagles were more than just "Hotel California"?

So, with my lawn-mowing money, I went out and bought more albums. I was intrigued first by "Desperado." I thought the cowboy thing was cool. I couldn't stop playing the record when I got it home. And then it was "On the Border", which caused me to fall completely in love with "Ol' 55". Over time, I picked up the rest and happily enjoyed them over and over. "Eagles Live" was a special treat when I finally bought it later on. The poster remained on my bedroom wall for the rest of the time I lived at my parents house.

In college, I was the throwback. I thrived on the Eagles and Stevie Nicks while my 5 other roommates played Wham and Duran Duran. I was not allowed to play my music outside my bedroom. It was not cool. Maybe not, but it sure was good! It helped that I had a boyfriend who was a guitarist. When we eventually moved in together, the Eagles were back on the turntable in public.

Fast forward to 1994. The guitarist had been replaced (amicably) by a less-musical but still very creative guy when it came time to get married and start a family. My musical interests faded into the background of crying babies, Nickelodeon and PTO meetings. I heard about the HFO tour, but couldn't afford tickets while on maternity leave and was nervous about leaving my 3-month-old with a sitter. Miss #1.

In later years, it was always something. There was always some reason I couldn't go to a show. Either I wasn't paying attention and didn't hear about it until later (Miss #2 - Manchester NH, 2003) or the tickets were too expensive (Boston - many times, many misses). I wasn't too worried about it. There were so many other distractions.

But now... now I'm back with a vengeance. The kids are off doing their own things and it's back to being my turn. It started this time with a desire to load some of my old favorite albums onto my new iPod. So off to the store I went to buy CDs and found myself hooked again when I brought them home. My car's CD changer is filled to the brim with Eagles and solo stuff - and the kids have to listen to it.

And look! Now there's a whole COMMUNITY out here that likes the band as much as I do. I can play my favorite music in public again!

Oh, and the guitarist? We're still in touch. He teaches now and this spring, one of his students gave him a Long Road Out of Eden tour baseball cap. He gave it to me for doing his taxes.

[GlennLover]

That's so cool, Windeagle! great story!

[Troubadour]

That was great, Windeagle - Wasted Time was the song that made me truly love Don and the Eagles, too. I'm so glad you found us here and that you can embrace your Eagles fandom fully now! I really hope you get to see them in concert soon. The wait will have been worth it.

[Henley Honey]

That's a great story, Windeagle. Two of the best Eagles shows that I've seen were at the Boston Garden and in Worchester. (Hope I spelled that right) I'm ALWAYS up for another East Coast show and by being a part of this site, you'll have an immediate heads up when --not if -- but when they'll be playing there again.

[Windeagle]

Yep. I keep hoping. Back in 1990, I thought the partial reunion for Walden Woods was the best I could ever hope to see. Never say never.

And this time I have income! I'll buy tickets no matter what they cost.

[Koala]

That's a cool story!

[Judy]

Cool. Thanks for sharing your story!

[TimothyBFan]

He had exactly two cassette tapes in his car and alternated them each day, one side of the tape for each ride. The first was "The Cars". The second was "Hotel California."

Windeagle---I would have LOVED your neighbor!!! As most members on this board that have known me for awhile know, The Cars are my 2nd favorite group behind the Eagles.

Your story sounds a lot like many others here that have been long time fans of the Eagles where we may have lost track of them for awhile, but we ALWAYS come back!!!

So how do you feel about The Cars? If you are interested, we have a thread for them also here in the For The Sake Of The Song, has some great pictures and updates on their new album etc.... Most of which were put there by me.