Eagles to kick off Oz tour in Perth
Legendary rockers the Eagles kick off next year's Australian tour in Perth and founding singer/ guitarist Glenn Frey can't think of anywhere better to start.
"We always enjoy coming to Perth," said the 65-year-old, who co-wrote Take it Easy, Desperado, One of These Nights and other Eagles classics.
"It reminds us so much of Southern California, the people are laid-back. It'll be a lot of fun to get there."
No stranger to this town, Frey fondly recalled his Kings Park concert with the WA Symphony Orchestra last year, when a local indigenous elder performed a welcome to country.
"What a magical, heavy and wonderful vibe that place had," he said.
The Eagles played outdoor shows on their previous WA visits in 2004 and 2010 but next year will see the band perform indoors at Perth Arena on February 18.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers first came here in 1975, soon after hell-raising guitarist Joe Walsh joined the band. "We had an extra day off and I remember getting in the water and being able to say 'Hey, I swam in the Indian Ocean'," Frey said.
Walsh replaced original guitarist Bernie Leadon, who will also tour Australia with Frey, Walsh, Don Henley and Timothy B. Schmit next year.
The tour follows the release of epic rockumentary History of the Eagles, which documents their 1971 formation in Los Angeles, hard- fought successes and 1980 drug-fuelled implosion.
After 14 years and plenty of acrimony, "hell froze over" and the group reunited in 1994.
Frey, who scored solo hits and acted in film and TV during the hiatus, said the Eagles had mellowed during their 20-years-and-counting "second act".
The rock veteran plans to have dinner with friends who live in Perth before the tour starts.
"That's about as much as we do - a little quick bite out," Frey said.
"That is as wild as we get now."
Four tiers of tickets priced from $134.55 up to $674.15 go on sale on June 10 with pre-sales starting on Tuesday.
