Eagles Sail Into One Long Goodbye

LYIN' EYES: Retirement and reunion tour trends mean there's big money for bands like the Eagles who say "Farewell" ... until next time.

BY SARAH HENNING

NEWS TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

When the Eagles named their latest tour "Farewell I," it could only mean one of four things:

A) This is the band's final tour. Band says: Not true.

B) The band will be doing sequels to the current tour. Band says: True.

C) Band members will continue to tour, but want fans to believe their chances to see the Eagles are dwindling. Tricky, and possibly true.

D) Band members think they're funny and like messing with fans' heads. Mean, and possibly true.

Maybe when the Eagles get to Duluth on Sunday for their sold-out show at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center Arena, Don Henley will take the mike and say exactly what the nebulous tour moniker means.

Until then, only one thing is certain. In the decade since the Eagles launched their hugely successful "Hell Freezes Over" reunion tour, farewell and reunion shows have become the most lucrative trend in the concert industry.

In 2003, five of the top 10 highest-grossing tours were marketed as either limited-edition reunions or farewell tours, according to Pollstar, the concert trade magazine. Two more on that list -- Celine Dion and Elton John -- are in the "previously retired from touring" club.

The Eagles took third place with $69.3 million from the 2003 portion of the "Farewell I" Tour.

ALL ABOUT THE ...

Music journalists and industry insiders say this whole game-on, game-off attitude toward touring is mainly about money.

"From my perspective, as a whole, the farewell tour seems like a marketing slogan," said Craig Samborski, a Duluth concert promoter who co-owns I Spy Entertainment and who booked shows at the DECC for nine years.

Most fans either believe the bands are truly getting back together for music's sake, or that the high from seeing their favorite acts on stage transcends slick marketing and hundred-dollar seats.

"We certainly were surprised when they announced another tour," said lifelong Eagles fan Kevin Berg of Duluth. "We thought for sure 'Hell Freezes Over' was it. But they are awesome in concert, and

I'd love to see them again."

In 1994, the Eagles put on one of the highest profile reunion tours ever. After Don Henley famously and repeatedly declared the band wouldn't play together again until hell froze over, he made a liar of himself when the band re-united for the $35 million "Hell Freezes Over" tour.

The Eagles returned in 2000 with the "Millennium Tour" and hit the road in 2003 with "Farewell I."

THE MAC BIG AGAIN

Another reunited band with a high-profile return, Fleetwood Mac, took fourth place on the 2003 top-grossing tours list. The original lineup re-united in 1997. Other tours on the Top 10 list included Cher's farewell tour, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel's reunion tour, and a doubleheader featuring Aerosmith and KISS (whose original lineup reunited in 1996).

"I think the implied perception is that it's a rare opportunity to see somebody before they're not going to be seen again. That's the pitch. That's what justifies the ticket price," Samborski said.

The trend has even influenced younger artists, such as pop star George Michael, 40, and rapper Jay Z, 34, who both recently announced upcoming retirement shows.

Farewell and reunion tours charge some of the highest ticket prices in the industry. For instance, Alabama is asking $1,000 for a gold ticket package on their current "American Farewell Tour." The price includes front-row seats, an autographed Gibson guitar and a photo op with the band after the show. It's the only way to get in the front row. Simon and Garfunkel charged $136.90 for a seat, any seat.

SPENDIEST TICKETS

At their Duluth show, the Eagles commanded $125 and $95. According to News Tribune archives, those are the most expensive ticket prices in DECC history, far exceeding Rod Stewart's $69.50 ticket price in 2001.

For those wondering what $125 sounds like, recent newspaper reviews say the Eagles usually do a generous 3-hour concert with a 15-minute intermission and no opener. The band plays about 25 songs, and plans for two encores. The jokes and play list are rigid, and include only well-known hits, such as "Peaceful Easy Feeling," "Lyin' Eyes," "Tequila Sunrise" and "Hotel California."

Berg, the Duluth fan, saw the Eagles perform about a year ago and said they were "unreal." However, the high ticket prices for the upcoming Duluth show made he and his wife hesitate.

"We looked at the prices and thought, 'Geez, this is too spendy,' " Berg said. "Then, after the tickets sold out, we thought, 'Damn, now it's too late.' "

But is it really too late? Recent trends indicate fans can expect farewell and reunion tours to keep on rolling as long as people are snatching up tickets.

"Take Celine Dion, someone who announces she's going to retire and have a baby. A big shot walks along and says, 'I'll give you millions to play in Vegas,' and, of course she says, 'OK, I'll do it,' " Samborski said. "That's after people paid hundreds of dollars to see her farewell concerts."

If fans feel lied to, they're not saying so with their wallets.

"When I talk to rock fans, I think they're just excited to see a band like the Eagles come to town," said Crazy Ray Styles, a longtime Duluth DJ and program director for KRBR-FM 102.5. "I don't think they care if the band says one thing and then changes their minds."

'SELL-OUT POWER'

According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Glenn Frey opened the Eagles' 2003 Xcel Energy show by commenting that the group was back so soon because they realized they had "underplayed the market." Samborski said at the beginning of the "Farewell Tour," when he worked at the DECC, the Eagles wouldn't look at a city the size of Duluth. Now they're playing many smaller towns, including Bismarck, N.D., and Rapid City, S.D.

As a 48-year-old fan, Berg is thrilled that the Eagles seem to be touring indefinitely.

"I think they'll keep coming back. The crowd response is unreal. With that kind of sell-out power, I think they'll keep on playing."

Comments

[Lilly]

This is my first EAGLES concert - and there is a whole lot of excitement hitting my living room right now. We never dreamed they would perform in Duluth, but we are extremely happy they chose to come here. I'll give a review of the show in the morning.........A VERY HAPPY EAGLES FAN!!!