Nostalgia Rock:..."Man, We Was Lonely"...

 

By EDUARDO PAZ-MARTINEZ

McALLEN, Texas | There is a certain melancholic sadness about it all - great American rock 'n roll bands hitting the road way, way past their prime. The Eagles are the latest, only the latest. Bandmembers have announced their upcoming "The Last Goodbye Tour," only, of course, it's never the last one, is it?

Like professional boxers who simply cannot leave the limelight and fan adoration, the Eagles (shown as they look now in photo above) want just another taste of what used to be. Only, it's been a long, long time. The group formed in 1971, 52 years ago.

Yes, they have the vault of "hits," but at what point do these guys say, "Hey, I'm too old now."

They never do.

Glenn Frey, their original lead singer, died in January, 2016 at the age of 67. Pneumonia, they said. That was the cause of death, this after he'd long left the band. The band's announcement came when bandmembers Joe Walsh and Don Henley were helping former Beatle Ringo Starr celebrate his 83rd birthday. Ringo still tours, as does ex-Beatles bandmate Paul McCartney (shown in photo below), who is 81.

Damn. I feel old writing about these guys.

Some Eagles tunes do stick around, with me even. "Lyin' Eyes," is a favorite, as is "Tequila Sunrise". There are others. The Eagles were around seemingly forever, the height of their popularity being the 1970s and early-1980s.

Who knows about this?

Is it okay for these guys to hit the stage looking like they're on leave from a nursing home? Eagles' guitarist Joe Walsh looks like he's too far gone. Drummer and occasional vocalist Henley has aged a bit better, but the gray and the slumping shoulders are there on him, as well.

Walsh even hinted during the press conference that this may not be the last tour, adding that the band would likely keep playing "until no one shows up". Yeah. They're not the first band to do this. Sixties heyday band Steppenwolf also toured extensively after their time faded, often with a single member of the original group.

It works a bit better with solo acts, like Paul Simon of Simon & Garfunkel. He's 81, as is Art Garfunkel who does not tour with him anymore. Singer Tom Jones is 83, Neil Diamond 82. You hear snippets of Jones still appearing here and there; Diamond has said he is now retired. Still out there, too, are the remaining members of The Rolling Stones. Frontman Mick Jagger is 79, as is guitarist Keith Richards (shown in photo above). 

You don't really see women rock stars hang around as long.

When's the last time you heard anything about 1960s singer Petula Clark? She's now 90 years old. Maybe that's why you don't. American Carly Simon is 80. Joni Mitchell is 79. Joan Baez is 82. Throaty Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane is 83.

Janis Joplin is dead.

In country music, Kris Kristofferson is 87 and looks it. Willie Nelson (still performing) is 90 and likely feels it. Waylon Jennings is dead, as is Mickey Gilley of Urban Cowboy fame.

Would you pay to see any of these remaining, dying dinosaurs onstage?

Truth be told: A lot of people do...

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[EDITOR'S NOTE:...The headline - and bad grammar - refers to a song written by Ex-Beatle Paul McCartney. I believe it was on an album for his band, Wings...]