Eagles’ residency at The Sphere in Las Vegas offers a once-in-a-lifetime concert experience.
From it’s humble beginnings as a desert railroad town to becoming a beacon of entertainment, Las Vegas has constantly reinvented itself to stay relevant in a world that demands fresh, exciting experiences. In the 1940s and ’50s, Las Vegas was the playground of the Hollywood elite, with icons like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin performing in glamorous showrooms. By the 1960s and ’70s, the city had firmly established itself as a hub for high-profile residencies and stage performances, including the Elvis residency at the International Hotel of Las Vegas in 1969. Over the past few decades, Las Vegas has continued to expand its horizons, transitioning to a diverse cultural destination. Today the city is a dynamic epicenter of music, theater, fine dining, art and world-class events. Its concert venues range from intimate theaters to massive arenas and an NFL football stadium that has hosted The Rollings Stones, Billy Joel and Sting.
In recent years, Las Vegas has embraced the intersection of cutting-edge technology and live performances, offering unique, immersive experiences that have reshaped how audiences experience live music. The most groundbreaking addition to the Vegas entertainment scene is undoubtedly The Sphere, an awe-inspiring venue that is changing the way audiences and fans engage in concerts. For the last several months, The Sphere has become the home for The Eagles, a band whose music has become the soundtrack of generations. I recently made what has become a more frequent trip to the desert to experience the latest ExSpherience, having been there to see U2 last year.
The Eagles: America’s Rock Band (or at least Southern California’s)
Before we dive into the spectacle that is The Sphere, it’s essential to understand the legendary band that one would likely assume is entering the 9th inning of its career. The Eagles (officially just Eagles) are one of the most influential and successful rock bands in history, with a legacy that spans over five decades. From its incarnation, the band has had a profound impact on the soundscape of rock music, particularly with its fusion of rock, country and folk influences.
The Eagles formed in Los Angeles in 1971, when Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner came together to create a unique sound that became a near instant sensation. Frey and Henley had actually met when both were part of Linda Ronstadt’s backup band. They were soon joined by Leadon and Meisner, and together, they crafted a style that blended laid-back California country rock with intricate melodies and memorable lyrics.
The band’s self-titled debut album, The Eagles (1972), included hits like “Take It Easy,” “Witchy Woman” and “Peaceful Easy Feeling.” These tracks marked the beginning of its rise to stardom, and within a year, The Eagles had become a household name. Eagles music struck a chord with audiences across the United States, resonating deeply with the American spirit of the 1970s. What truly set the band apart from its peers has always been its ability to blend genres, creating a sound that feels fresh and timeless. This approach is easily heard on some of the Eagles’ most iconic albums.
Sophomore album Desperado (1973) cemented the band members’ reputation as rock visionaries. With tracks like hauntingly beautiful “Desperado” and anthemic “Tequila Sunrise,” the album showcased their growing ability to write songs that told rich, emotional stories. However, it was 1976 album Hotel California that cemented the band’s reputation in rock history. The album featured the title track, which is arguably one of the most iconic songs ever recorded. Its eerie guitar riff, layered vocals and cryptic lyrics captured the essence of 1970s rock, and the album as a whole became a commercial and critical triumph. Hotel California has since become synonymous with the Eagles’ sound: a sophisticated mix of rock and introspective storytelling.
The Eagles continued to release chart-topping albums throughout the 1970s and ’80s, including One of These Nights (1975) and The Long Run (1979), further establishing dominance in the music industry. But as with many bands of that era, tensions arose within the group. Leadon and Meisner eventually left the band, and Joe Walsh joined in 1975, adding his distinctive guitar work to the mix . Walsh’s arrival helped define the band’s sound on later albums, and his “Hotel California” guitar solo remains one of the most iconic in rock history. After a period of turmoil, the band officially broke up in 1980, going on a 14-year hiatus, with various band members (Walsh, Frey and Henley) pursuing solo careers. Questions of getting the band back together hounded them, to which Henley replied in an interview that it would happen when hell freezes over. Frey also stated, “I just rule out the possibility of the Eagles back together for a Lost Youth and Greed tour.” Throughout the 1980s and early ’90s, the band’s influence never waned. In 1994, the Eagles did finally reunite for the aptly named “Hell Freezes Over” tour, which was an unforgettable live performance that was immortalized with a highly successful live album and DVD.
Since then, the band members have continued to perform to together, with various members joining and departing over the years, the unfortunate death of Glenn Frey leaving a gaping hole in the ranks. Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy Schmidt have remained key figures in the group, with Oklahoma’s own Vince Gill and Deacon Frey (Glenn’s son) filling in for the deceased lead vocalist and guitarist. Their music has endured quite well over the years, transcending generations and countless artists while the Eagles have toured frequently for over 20 years, leading up to its most recent engagement at The Sphere, where Don Henley quite humorously introduces the group as “The House Band.”
“We have nothing to fear but The Sphere itself.”
—Joe Walsh
The Sphere
The Sphere, located directly adjacent to The Venetian Resort, is a state-of-the-art venue offering an immersive musical and entertainment experience like no other on earth. The Sphere is nothing short of extraordinary. Its spherical design stands out like a planet sitting amongst a forest of high-rise hotels along the Las Vegas strip. Inspired by futuristic concepts, the massive 17,000-seat auditorium offers stunning acoustics, panoramic visuals and an unparalleled level of interactivity. The Sphere’s 270-degree wraparound LED display and its 4-D spatial sound system creates an experience where every seat feels like the best in the house. It simply can’t be described aptly, as the fully immersive environment allows artists to push the limits and boundaries of live performance and dazzle audiences from with visual effects only imaginable in a dream.
Seeing this performance with friends over a long weekend was one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had. Admittedly, I am a big fan of Eagles’ music, having grown up in the band’s heyday and seeing the reunion tour in ’94. However, I think almost any music lover would enjoy this experience immensely, and the band members still have just under a month before this rendition of the Eagles calls it a wrap, for what possibly might be their last live performance. With direct flights daily from OKC, a range of hotel options for almost any budget and numerous other experiences to enjoy, this is a must-see event and an experience that will make a forever memory. Next up at The Sphere is venerable country star Kenny Chesney, slated for a dozen performances late May to mid-June. These shows cannot be fully appreciated until one has been, the only drawback being how it will spoil your sensations, creating a high bar for other shows.
This article appears in Oklahoma Gazette Online.