American Top 40 Flashback: The Eagles

Over the course of a two-year period beginning in 1977, the music world saw the release of a number of landmark Punk/New Wave albums, from artists who now find themselves in the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame.  Artists like The Ramones, the Sex Pistols, The Clash, Talking Heads, Elvis Costello and Blondie (is Blondie in the hall of fame? I can't remember).

Yet, the battle on the charts during the period consisted of a 15-round heavyweight fight between two other bands, bands about as far from punk and/or new wave as one can possibly imagine - Fleetwood Mac, with "Rumours," and The Eagles, with "Hotel California."  Both are great albums, although 35 years later I'm firmly in the "Rumours" camp when the discussion turns to which is better.  Although great, there's something about the Eagles album that commands respect more than active enjoyment.  It's clearly their signature achievement, and I don't mean to damn it with faint praise.  But the fact of the matter is, when it comes to the Eagles, I'll stick with the "Very Best of" album, thank you very much.

But they had their day in the sun (and my God, they're still making tons of money today, so it's not as if anyone should feel sorry for them), and they deserved it. 

35 years ago today, the #1 song in the land: "Hotel California," Eagles.