Growing up, I took many a car trip from our home in Atlanta to my grandparents' cabin (*The Cabin*) in Vidalia, Georgia. I'm always telling my kids how much better road trips are in cars now.
In those days there was no clear delineation of personal space like the Captains Chairs and third row seat provide today. My brother, sister and I sat three abreast in the back seat of our Ford Country Squire station wagon and resorted to drawing imaginary lines to establish each person's territory. Car rides in the 70's were also WAY before the advent of personal entertainment such as iPods, Game Boys, built-in DVD players and the like.
My mother had a rule that "the driver picks the music" so we were subjected to her and my dad's choices of which 8-track tapes we would listen to throughout the three-hour drive. Usually the selections ran along the lines of the Ray Conniff Singers or Roy Clark and Buck Owens, which were met by moans and groans from the back seat.
One album that we all liked, however, was The Eagles: Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975. Time in the car passed much more quickly and pleasantly as we sang along to the likes of Take It Easy, Lyin' Eyes and Take It to the Limit.
A couple of years ago I saw an Eagles special on TV that featured a 2004 reunion concert in Melbourne. Their reprisals of old favorites were interspersed with interviews with the band members, and it was tremendously entertaining. They played the music exactly as I remembered it, and the songs sounded every bit as good as they did 30 (!) years ago. The renditions of Hotel California and my favorite Eagles hit, Tequila Sunrise, were the highlights of the concert for me. It was especially fun to watch Joe Walsh's incredible guitar playing and his hilarious antics and expressions.
I discovered that the concert was available on DVD from Amazon, so I ordered a copy for myself and one for my dad (who loved it). I've given the DVD as a gift several other times to unanimous acclaim.
If you're a fan of The Eagles, I highly recommend it.
The Eagles: Farewell 1 Tour - Live from Melbourne.
12 comments:
My hubby and I also LOVE the Eagles and have seen them in concert a couple of times. We also have a couple of DVD's of their performances.....STILL LOVE their songs!♥
Ahhh....yes....I grew up in a Roy Clark/Buck Owens kind of home too...but our favorite family 8 track was anything by Abba!!! I could really belt those tunes out from the backseat...and now, knowing precisely just how tone deaf I really am....feel the need to apologize to my mother every chance I get!!!
Eagles....LOVE. It doesn't get much better!!!
Kate
We HAVE it!! It is great!
I love the Eagles too.
I also remember those car trips three across in the back seat. Being the youngest, I was always in the middle. Kids now really do have it made. Of course, we do too b/c we don't have to listen to the kids arguing about someone going over the line or touching them!
Oh, I love the Eagles too! Hubby and I saw them in concert years ago and it ROCKED!!!
Goodness! Your account of car trips in the days before minivans, cupholders, and videos really resonates. I too was one of three in a family with a Country Squire wagon(rather older vintage than yours, as I am rather older than you!). There weren't even 8 track tapes when I was a kid! Thanks for the memories of trips and of the Eagles.
I love The Eagles, too!! Take It Easy is my fave...your story brought back memories of jamming out with my dad on Saturday mornings while he made us breakfast.
Eliose, I always have loved the Eagles..but I grew up in a small town in New Mexico, so I had never had the chance to see them...until last fall...I went to the AA here in Dallas and got to see them and they were fab. My friend and I ordered tickets on line and I couldn't tell for sure where we would be in the block...well..we ended up in the very tip top row...our backs were against the wall! Anyway, I have been known to have panic attacks, and of course I got one....my friend told one of the ushers and she said as soon as the show started she would come get us and move us to a lower spot. And true to her word as soon as the arena got dark, she came for us and held my hand all the way down the stairs to the 2nd balcony, first row...we ended up with awesome seats! It was so cool. If you ever get the chance to see them, you won't be disappointed!
Norah
So glad you linked in to my blog! I am really looking forward to reading all your posts - especially about your fabulous entertaining! :)
My husband watches this DVD ALL OF THE TIME!!!!! I really like it too! They will never make music as good as the artists of the 70's. I've started following your blog from 3 Peanuts. I live in Dallas too.
Whoa Eloise! I had the same childhood!!! I lOVE the Eagles--- our whole family does. In fact, I am kind of a groupie, and I didn't know about this DVD. On my list now! Have a great weekend!
Ya know Henley lives here, right? They were clients of Gucci. I used to see them all the time over by Lover's and Inwood.
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