It’s quite good to see the old rock stars, the dinosaurs if you will, still out there, partying like it’s 1999, with all the finesse and artistry they possessed 24 years ago. The geriatocracy includes worthy names like Bruce Springsteen (73), Billy Joel (74) and Elton John (76). And they’re still filling stadiums for what are largely greatest hits shows, with the part exception of Springsteen who, for all his greedy dabbling with dynamic ticket pricing, still makes new music. Joel hasn’t made a new record since 1989 and has no interest in so doing. With a back catalogue like his, perhaps he better preserves his legacy than some other artists who keep playing and keep churning out rubbish.
One of my favourite artists is Brian Wilson and since 2000 I’ve seen him touring with his stellar backing band on four occasions. Because of that band, his is, or rather was, a great night out, not least because he didn’t play any of his new music which, with one or two exceptions has been absolutely dire, so bad that I’ve wiped most if it from my collection. Now in his 80s, I hope he retires now and enjoys his latter years as he richly deserves. I say the same about two other of my favourite bands, the Eagles and Steely Dan who are about to hit the road together as part of the former’s Long Farewell tour.
I own all the Eagles albums – even their clunky 2007 failure to return to form Long Road Out Of Eden – and the simple fact is their last great album was 1976’s Hotel California. Not only have they been touring as a greatest hits band off and on since then, only one original Eagle remains, Don Henley. There is a case for calling Joe Walsh and Timothy B Schmit authentic Eagles given how long they have been in the band, but country music’s Vince Gill and Glenn Frey’s son Deacon? The former is to fill out the sound, the latter a token connection with his dad. By all means tour – and they will be here next summer for sure – but this is the pension booster tour and nothing more. Go and sing along with the hits but I’d rather stay at home and listen to the albums.
Steely Dan is Donald Fagen these days, since his songwriting buddy and guitar player Walter Becker died. Fagen remains a creative force in the sense that he still makes some new music, like Tin Foil Hat which he co-wrote and performed on Todd Rundgren’s great 2017 album White Knight and more recently Rodriguez For A Night, which he co-wrote with David Crosby and James Raymond for Croz’s 2021 album For Free. As for the Dan, their last album was Everything Must Go in 2003 and Fagen’s last solo album was Sunken Condos in 2012. Both records were very good and stand comparison with Fagen’s early work, but he plays none of it live. It’s the highest class of jukebox but a jukebox is what it is. When the tour reaches England, the odds of me going are minute to non-existent.
There is clearly a difference between bands and solo acts. The Eagles have one Eagle left, the Dan have just one original. I struggle to see them as the bands under whose name they tour under. With solo acts, like the ones who I named at the start, there is no such problem. Springsteen, Joel and John are still who they are and can still authentically use their own brand. Maybe Don Henley and Donald Fagen could tour under their own names, except they wouldn’t attract the same numbers. The Eagles and Steely Dan at Wembley Stadium? Full house. Don Henley and Donald Fagen? Wembley Arena or whatever it’s called this week, so nothing like the pensions saving plan.
I’m all in favour of the old folks boogie as long as I don’t have to see and hear them (apart from the Zombies at the Fleece of course). There’s a lot to be said for a good singalong, although I’d rather listen to the band than a massive karaoke. That’s just me and why I haven’t seen Springsteen, Joel and dear old Elton John this year. And never will.
