Imagine being a rising band, stepping onto a stage filled with eager fans—only to realize they’re not there for you. That’s the harsh reality of being an opening act, and for Glenn Frey and the Eagles, it was a lesson learned the hard way. But here’s where it gets controversial: paired with powerhouse acts like Edgar Winter and Jethro Tull, the Eagles found themselves in a mismatched battle of sound and style. Could this have been a deliberate move, or just a booking blunder? Let’s dive in.
Opening for a headliner is no small feat. The audience is there for the main event, leaving the support act with the daunting task of winning over hearts—one song at a time. For the Eagles, this challenge was amplified by their soft rock sound, which paled in comparison to the thunderous performances of their tourmates. And this is the part most people miss: while Edgar Winter was annihilating instruments and Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull was delivering theatrical flute solos, the Eagles were struggling to fill half-empty venues with their laid-back hits like ‘Tequila Sunrise’ and ‘Desperado.’
Glenn Frey didn’t mince words when reflecting on this period. In an interview with PBS, he admitted, ‘We opened for Jethro Tull and Edgar Winter… It wasn’t exactly compatible booking, but it did toughen us up a little bit.’ This mismatch wasn’t just about volume—it was about energy, stage presence, and audience expectations. The Eagles, known for their reserved performances, were no match for the high-octane acts they were billed with. Even their reputation for ‘loitering’ onstage, as Don Henley once joked, seemed out of place in this loud, dynamic environment.
But was this experience all bad? Frey hinted at a silver lining: the tough tours built resilience. It’s a classic underdog story—the struggle that shapes future success. By the time the Eagles hit it big with Hotel California, they had transformed their modest folk-country rock into a full-fledged experience, complete with dramatic backdrops and Joe Walsh’s electrifying guitar solos. Here’s the controversial question: Did these mismatched tours actually pave the way for their later triumph, or would they have succeeded regardless?
It’s worth noting that even their heroes weren’t always supportive. Frey recalled a moment when Stephen Stills dismissed the Eagles with a simple, ‘They just wanted to be us.’ Ouch. But that criticism, paired with the grueling tour experiences, likely fueled their determination. By the late 1970s, the Eagles had carved their niche, proving there was room for their sound even as punk and new wave dominated the airwaves.
So, what do you think? Was booking the Eagles with acts like Jethro Tull and Edgar Winter a stroke of genius or a colossal mistake? Did these challenges make them stronger, or did they simply survive despite the odds? Let us know in the comments—we’re eager to hear your take on this rock ‘n’ roll tale of mismatched tours and ultimate triumph.
