As if the Eagles playing their first concert since Glenn Frey‘s death wasn’t enough, the group’s Classic West reunion took on even bigger proportions when Bob Seger made a surprise appearance to sing “Heartache Tonight” with the group on Saturday (July 15) at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles.
Seger, who was a close friend of Frey’s (both are Michigan natives) co-wrote the 1979 hit and previously sang it in tribute to Frey and the band during December at the Kennedy Center Honors in Washington, D.C. Seger’s appearance was a highlight of the group’s triumphant return to the stage, which featured Frey’s son Deacon Frey and Vince Gill covering the late Frey’s lead vocals on seven of the show’s 23 songs.
At the start of the show the group’s Don Henley announced “This one’s for you, Glenn. You’re in our hearts tonight, and the music goes on.” Deacon Frey told the crowd before “Peaceful Easy Feeling” that, “this is unbelievable. The last few years have been rough. The only remedy for that is love, and I’m feeling it from you tonight. This is my medicine.”
During the song he asked the crowd, “Anyone out there miss my dad?” as a photo of his father appeared on the video screen.
Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers also played on Saturday, while Fleetwood Mac, Journey and Earth, Wind & Fire performed on Sunday (July 16). The Classic East concerts featuring the same lineups will be held July 29-30 in New York; There’s no word on if Seger will appear with the Eagles again there.
Gary Graff is an award-winning music journalist who not only covers music but has written books on Bob Seger, Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen.