Some friends and I were at this concert. Believe it or not, the main draw for us was Joe Walsh. He had joined the Eagles year or so earlier after leaving the James Gang. He gave the Eagles a more 'rock' vibe. I think it was Glenn Frey who said in an interview that Walsh is "an interesting bunch of guys." Whole concert turned out to be one of the best concerts I attended in the '70s. Randy Meisner doing his song "Take it To the Limit" and Joe Walsh's "Rocky Mountain Way' were standouts; but, of course 'Hotel California' blew us away. If you listen carefully you can hear the crowd go crazy when Walsh joins in with Felder on that ending solo, those two were so in sync. Great reaction and nice touch with the lighting, 😄.

It’s insane this live performance is better than a the studio version. Wtf No editing just pure talent.

Joe Walsh and Don Felder playing that closing solo on perfect octaves is just amazing.

"We haven't had that spirit here since 1969" A reference to Woodstock and true musical artistry before the music industry corrupted it all.

Saw them in 1977, in Alabama!! 21,000 lighters turned up!! BEST EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE!! Best Rock band ever!!!!

I think this live version is even more iconic than the studio version.

Karen Carpenter played drums while singing, in the 70s i think, for the band The Carpenters

It would be virtually impossible to overhype this song. Pure genius in an era with no shortage of great music.

Meisner had a phenomenal voice too. they all did and is why their harmonies are so monumentally great.

Syed, I agree that this is one of the greatest songs ever written and produced. In my opinion, something absolutely magical happened when this group of people got together and made music. There are a LOT more Eagles songs that have yet to blow your mind. Can't wait to go on the ride with you!

Drummers who sing. Check out Levon Helm singing "The Weight" from the Last Waltz.

This song is a masterpiece of lyrics and music coming together in an epic song. It is one of the best songs ever written, no question.

One of the best concerts I've been to. Eagles ROCKED that night.

Don Felder-no one ever mentions him. He wrote so many riffs for them it's crazy. His guitar is like fine wine. He was so underrated. The guy played the guitar with class and he was a master. at it. He came up with opening chords of the song and them he and Joe Walsh turned it into a classic with the dueling guitars at the end.

One of the best songs of many great songs by the Eagles. The Don Felder/Joe Walsh guitar duet at the end is just brilliant.

i saw them live ...Pure Talent............great reaction!

My Lord! Syed, that was one of the most insightful, incisive and (psychologically) expansive interpretations I've ever experienced. You've provided a sort of vivid description of everything I've loved about The Eagles since I first heard them opening for The Who at Merriweather-Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland waaay back when; they hadn't written and peformed Hotel California, yet. But when I heard them singing Take it Easy and Witchy Woman, I was hooked. I'd like you to consider my interpretation of a verse containing: "...they stab it with their steely knives but they just can't kill the beast." It took me awhile to manage to, ironically, dissect this phrase, but I'm pretty sure it serves as a warning, because I see the "steely knives" (although some believe it's a reference to Steely Dan's exponential rise in popularity) as symbolic of an addiction wherein a stainless steel needle injecting [fill in the substance name], but while the high is stellar, the increasing need is "the beast." I know that Frey and Henley have both been quoted as dismissing the song as nothing more than a song about the music industry and the perils that come with it, especially if you become "The New Kid in Town." Because I see/believe that you have a gift for analyzing music and accompanying lyrics, and that you have such a deep appreciation for everything and everyone that makes a song exceptional, I'm now a subscriber! Thank you for helping me open my brain and ears.

What a voice .. what imagery.. what a melody .. what a guitar solo .. this tune will never leave our consciousnesses .. it's just too good to ignore :)

I saw them in concert when they dropped this album in 1977. I will never forget it. I’ve attended a lot of BIG-named bands. But this concert was so astounding that it is easily in my top 6 concerts of all time.

They were all individually incredibly talented. Together it was magic.

Glenn Frye also lead singer. He sang more than Henley actually. Third guitarist on the left.

Don "fingers" Felder and Mad Joe Walsh on guitars! 😃

Words cannot describe this song amazing throughout

This may be the greatest. Group of talent on stage at one time ever.all were great musicians. All were lead singers. All had their own careers separate from the group.donhenley drums.joe walsh rythum guitar.don fender 12 string.glen fry acoustic guitar randy meisner bass.

Seven bridges road is one of their songs that really showcases their harmonies. One of my favorites 😍

Every time I hear this song The Shining comes to my mind!

Insightful interpretation of the lyrics. I have heard this song 1,000 X, still never tire of it. I place it somewhere in the list of the 25 greatest songs ever recorded in all of music history. Fantastic reaction comments, TY.

Don Felder on lead in on the 12 string guitar, then plays the 6 string guitar. Have always love Don Henley's voice.

What a song. Forever a play.

Queen…..Roger Taylor…..Singing and drumming iconic in the Live version in Montreal 1981 …..Will blow your mind.

My favorite Outlaws greatest Outlaws country music ever assembled long lived the Eagles ciaos

Don Henley I believe was an English major in college so that explains the lyrics.

Don't forget Levon Helm from The Band played drums and sang lead. This from Wikipedia: Mark Lavon "Levon" Helm (May 26, 1940 - April 19, 2012) was an American musician who achieved fame as the drummer and one of the three lead vocalists for The Band, for which he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. Helm was known for his deeply soulful, country-accented voice, multi-instrumental ability, and creative drumming style, highlighted on many of the Band's recordings, such as "The Weight", "Up on Cripple Creek", and "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down".

HC is so great that even my piano cover sounds good! 😊 Congrats for choosing it!! 👍👍👏👏

The Eagles knew we would all be prisoners here of our own device.. Another great reaction Syed...I love the live performances...and this one is up there high on the list...

I believe it’s about addiction to different devices

The acoustic version of this song is amazing also! ❤️

I was at this concert and the Hell Freezes Over tour. Two of the best concerts I had the pleasure to experience. The acoustical opening of Hotel California on the Hell Freezes Over tour is epic.

My son was the drummer in a Beatles cover band for 10 years, and he sang all the songs that Ringo sang. I knew several other drummers over the years that also sang while playing the drums. Not everyone can do that. Same with bass players, there are not a lot of bass players that do a lot of lead singing. Especially if they are playing a lot of melodic bass lines which have nothing to do with the main melody line of the song. The main bass players who often sing lead that comes to my mind immediately is Paul McCartney, Sting, and Gene Simmons. I know there are others, but I am drawing a blank at the moment.

If you liked the original, you should check out the "Hell Freezes Over" version pure acoustic guitar version from their reunion tour

Great chemistry onstage, and yet….SO much bickering behind the scenes. Congrats on being able to post this. Eagles are notorious blockers! And a drummer who is also the main vocalist is rare. Phil Collins in Genesis after Peter Gabriel left is another example. Roger Taylor of Queen was certainly not the main vocalist, but sang beautiful backup harmonies on most the the songs…as did Brian as well. So yes; unusual for drummer to sing as well. From what I’ve heard and read, it’s damn difficult to do both well simultaneously.

I love Joe Walsh's music. I have all his albums. He was a perfect fit for the Eagles. He fit the group like a hand in glove.

your sincere appreciation for music is sincerely appreciated 👍♠

The year i graduated and this was on the transiter radio!

This is probably the best live performance of a rock song I've ever seen. They were showing off. Nobody can be that precise on stage. That was their thing though. They gave Randy Meisner the boot when he couldn't sing his own songs on stage.

I remember this in 70s , MASTERPIECE !!!!!!!!!!!!

Big up for the 'Hotel Cali" lighting.

Levon Helm. Drummer/singer for The Band.

I find it hilarious that people that haven't heard these bands before.. act. 'shocked' that they can actually write lyrics. You hear that so much from younger people listening to rock. "gee, it's music, and not just screaming" dipsticks

If you want to hear incredible harmony, find the video of them doing the warmup to Seven Bridges Road.

I was there, met them at a previous at the cap center, they were all legit musically so good and tight no sour notes, as people not so much, except Randy Meisner who was a kind sweet gentleman

I love the Eagles period. Over looked are Wasted Time and one no one ever comments it seems .. Journey of the Sorcerer (totally instrumental).

It's about Los Angeles and the entertainment industry in general

When bands relied on talent/musicianship not autotune/ technology......

I saw this. This is one of the most literate, intelligent and insightful reactions to this song I've heard. I think HOTEL CALIFORNIA is BRILLIANT, the ''GOLD STANDARD'' to he 70s and BEYOND.

Eagles are one of the best American bands ever!!

My absolute favorite band. Saw them 4X, last time was after Glenn Frey had passed and his son and Vince Gill joined, they were still awesome!

It's too bad the Eagles are blockers of their music on KZfaq. Many people won't be exposed to the incredible group they were. This was the soundtrack of my high school years and of course I played most of their songs on the guitar at beach cookouts. Thanks for bringing back these fond memories.

I was smiling from ear to ear watching you react to this masterpiece Syed. I agree that the drums, the guitars, the harmonies and the lyrics are "ridiculously good". Nuff said. 😁👍

New to your channel! Love your reviews

Phil Collins was also a drummer, who sang too in Genesis, though the lead singer was Peter Gabriel.

"We haven't had that spirit here since 1969'... 'spirit' of course refers to the wine itself, which conjures up the image of friends gathered around, sipping wine & smoking weed, being 'chill' & mellow, but also the 'spirit' of love, peace, & friendship- BUT... 1969 was the year The Rolling Stones put on a show at the Altamont Speedway in California; they hired the Hell's Angels as security, & the result was multiple brutal beatings & 1 death, symbolically destroying the 'peaceful hippie vibe' of the '60s...at least this is my interpretation of the lyric!

Wonderful reaction. And you're right about the drumming --- it's unusual to have a drummer as lead vocalist for a rock song mainly because it's really hard to do. My favorite "singing drummer" is Levon Helm of the Band. If you haven't checked them out yet, please do!

What you heard on record, to got live with the Eagle's. Phenomenal talent in one band

They sound just as great live as in the studio. Pure talent! I don’t know if you have reacted to Kansas’ “Carry On Wayward Son” but the guitar solo is also great.

Simply a great Classic🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻

It wasn’t just the lure of the music industry. It was the lure of California itself. A lot of people went to California , and still do, thinking they’re going to hit it big and they get sucked in and they end up doing things they didn’t want to.

I heard it was a place they all hung out in California back in the day that we all heard about and all the greats were there!

Perfect band, and so blessed to have been "brought up on them" Joe Walsh is an amazing guitarist, but so sad that Don Felder exited, (he's playing the double fret guitar here), because he is a superb guitarist, and it was he, who wrote the guitar riff that instigated the song! Don Henley's voice is sublime, and his drumming is great. The late Glenn Frey, the groups leader, wrote some amazing songs with his co-founder, Don Henley. The late Randy Meisner, had a voice that soared, and was a brilliant bass player.

Trust me, the guy with the tele (joe Walsh) is just as badass as don felder ( guy with the double neck sg) imho the best ever live guitar chemistry between two players

Syed love you're comment on the entire song but especially the lyrics. I agree when you say that this may not be for you. Genius.

Simply gloriously beautiful live musicianship!!!

This is dual guitar solo composition master class right here. Iconic and highly influential.

Henley is one of the few to do it, Leven Helm in The Band and Phil Collins in Genesis are two others who famously did it.

Truly enjoy your assessment and reactions.

The bands full of lead singers. Keep reacting to them you will see.

Syed, great great choice ,and review and vibe on Eagles, Hotel California. They were one of a kind. Joe Walsh and Don Felder , incredible guitars, the whole band were incredibly in sinc. One of the best live performances of the of the 70,s and ever. Check out two other incredible live performances by two amazing, but underated bands, from the 70,s 1. Little Feat - "Fat Man in the bathtub" from the live album "Waiting for Columbus" 2. Lou Reed - "Sweet Jane " , from the live album " Rock and Roll Animal" 3. Peter Frampton - " Do you feel like we do" from the live album " Frampton Comes Alive" These albums are known for some of the best live recordings of all time. They will blow you away!! Love your show

iconic song

They also do a similar thing in the song life in the fast lane About the excess of the fast life of southern California

React to Life's Been Good by Joe Walsh the guitarist for the Eagles

Fan freaking tastic song-Felder Walsh

Syed we have to let you know how awesome you are. Seriously. The Good Lord has a unique purpose for you and you are in it.

It's a perfect performance of a perfect song. Simply one of the greatest songs of all time, and it will be forever.

A great concert and analysis. Another band with an amazing concert performance featuring 2 double neck guitars is Rush, Xanadu (1981-Remastered) from Exit Stage Left.🤯

Such a lovely place.

Yeah Don Felder is the badass guitar player. Watch Hotel California acoustic 1994 hell freezes over version of the eagles. His guitar playing literally makes Joe Walsh look like a beginner.

You should listen to this song off their "Hell Freezes Over Album" they do it with acoustic live. I believe it is available on You tube.. It was done in 1994

I seen the hell freezes over tour! I was in high school when this came out!

They were magically good.

Levin Helm from The Band was another singing drummer

Another absolutely brilliant guitarist is Mark Knofler , from Dire Straits ,Sultans of swing. Live version. Fantastic.

Your’s is one of the best reviews on this video I have seen… thanks 😊

Wine is not a spirit, spirits are distilled, wine is fermented.

Fun fact: Hotel California is a drug rehab. Colitis use to be another name for marijuana. The line "we haven't had that spirit here since 1969" is because until that year you were allowed to drink alcohol at a drug rehab.

Wanted to say I’ve just started watching reaction videos, and I really enjoy yours. I’m glad you played the video too. I saw them back in 77 as a teen and just this year as (a little older). They still sound GREAT. We miss Glenn of course (he past away in 2016). Anyway thanks for doing these.

That was great thanks. Another singing drummer is Levon Helm of The Band.

Can't beat the old music.

Fantastic assessment of this song. Don Henley is beyond cool. This song is one of the best songs ever written, it’s a masterpiece. The dueling guitar solo is also one of the greatest ever played.

I do like you matching the lighting, I see that. This is one of a class of undeniably great songs.

Is forgotten how epic this song was. Thank you