EAGLES: Don Henley is talking about Hotel California as its 40th anniversary nears
December 8th will mark the 40th anniversary of the release of the Eagles' fifth studio album, Hotel California, which means a deluxe anniversary edition is on the way. But Don Henley wants to make one thing clear regarding this reissue:
"It's not because Glenn [Frey] passed away. They were gonna do that anyway because a lot of bands are doing that when anniversaries come up like that."
Hotel California was the last album to feature the band's original bassist, Randy Meisner, and first with Joe Walsh, who replaced original guitarist Bernie Leadon.
TEARS FOR FEARS: New album due out later this year
This is shaping up as a big year for Tears for Fears. The British new wave duo will tour with Hall and Oates and release a new studio album.
Curt Smith tells Billboard that fans will be happy with the new CD. But he's vague on specifics: "To me it sounds like us."
Extensive touring in recent years made Smith and bandleader Roland Orzabal realize it was time for new material. "Obviously we change it up, but having the same list of songs to play with, we felt we needed more. It's getting a little boring for us, so it seemed the right time."
Expect more personal themes this time -- both musicians have children leaving home for college. Smith says, "Our own lives always influence the way we write."
The Hall and Oates tour with Tears for Fears begins May 4th in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
BEE GEES: Sunday's #1 TV show
The Bees Gees picked up what amounts to another number-one Sunday.
Stayin’ Alive: A Grammy Salute to the Music of The Bee Gees was the night's most-watched TV show -- in both total audience and in coveted 18 - 49 year-old viewers. More than 10-million people tuned in for the two-hour special -- which featured a wide range of musical guests, joined by Barry Gibb for the closing segment. (Variety)