Eagles' 'Long Goodbye' concert delivers nostalgia, classic hits for fans

Legendary American rockers the Eagles needed no introduction Sunday night as they presented “The Long Goodbye,” their final tour, at PPG Paints Arena.

“Thanks for coming out on a Sunday night. It’s a beautiful time of the year in Western Pennsylvania,” said original Eagles band member Don Henley to more than 13,000 enthusiastic fans.

The tour featured more than two hours of guitar riffing, vocal harmonizing, solos and touching tributes.

The group, which formed in 1971, currently features Henley, Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmit, country singer Vince Gill and Deacon Frey, son of the late Glenn Frey, a founding member of the band who died in 2016.

One of the world’s best-selling bands, the Eagles have sold more than 150 million records. No American band sold more records during the 1970s than the Eagles.

“Remember 1974?” Henley asked the audience. “Things were better then.”

“Sing it with me, here we go,” he said as he introduced “Best of My Love.”

Other classics performed Sunday included “Lyin’ Eyes,” “Take it to the Limit,” Witchy Woman,” “Life in the Fast Lane” and Henley’s solo hit “The Boys of Summer.”

Mark George of Leechburg first saw the Eagles in 1994 in Burgettstown at the former Star Lake Amphitheater.

“My hair was brown then, not gray, and I was 50 pounds lighter,” George said.

George attended Sunday’s show with fellow Eagles fans and friends Debbi and Mike Young.

Debbi Young of Leechburg said listening to the band reminds her of the songs she heard when she was a kid in the 1970s.

“My favorite song is ‘Hotel California.’ I love Joe Walsh,” Debbi Young said. “Don Henley is smooth. Joe Walsh is gritty.”

Walsh seemed to be a fan favorite as he shredded, riffed, strummed and sang, engaging with the crowd with humor and a genuine warmness that decades of performing organically generates.

“It’s good to be back here,” Walsh said of his prior visits to Pittsburgh.

Walsh encouraged the crowd to sing-along and join in during his cool-cat rendition of “Life’s Been Good.” “I dedicate this to everybody who’s never had a song dedicated to them. And that’s a lot of us,” Walsh said.

The standing ovations, dancing, and abundant applause were frequent and a sea of cellphones illuminated the dark arena during the encore portion of the evening.

The Eagles closed out the night with “Hotel California.”

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Candi Stewart of Leechburg recalled attending an Eagles concert at the former Three Rivers Stadium during the 1980s.

Stewart attended with high school friends and they reunited for Sunday’s concert.

“The Eagles are one of those classic bands still going strong,” she said. “My favorite song is ‘Seven Bridges Road,’ and I like Joe Walsh because of his humor and Don Henley’s voice.”

Mega-fan Diana Tengesdal traveled from Chicago for an early birthday celebration concert in Pittsburgh.

“I sing along to every song,” Tengesdal said.

Mother/son Sam Willochell and Renee Willochell of Greensburg show off their Eagles swag Sunday at The Eagles concert at PPG Paints Arena.
“This is my bucket list concert. A birthday gift from my son,”. Renee Willochell said. ⁦@VNDNews⁩ ⁦⁩ ⁦@TribLIVE⁩ pic.twitter.com/oOLzawbpLC

— Joyce Hanz (@hanz_joyce) October 16, 2023

Renee Willochell of Greensburg drank a pre-show tequila sunrise cocktail before listening to the Eagle’s song by the same name.

“I’ve always wanted to see the Eagles. They were on my bucket list. I’m so stoked about this,” said Willochell. The concert was a birthday concert gift from her son Sam Willochell, who sat by her side the entire evening.

“I grew up on this music,” Renee Willochell said.

Sam said seeing Joe Walsh was going to be a highlight. “Joe Walsh, baby. He’s the man,” Sam Willochell said.

Before the night was over, Henley spent a few minutes sending a heartfelt message on behalf of the band to the fans.

“I want to express our gratitude for a wonderful 51 years of your support. I want you to know how much we appreciate that you’ve taken our songs into your hearts and homes,” Henley said.

Henley later dedicated their performance of his solo hit “The Boys of Summer” to “our old pal” Jimmy Buffett, adding “we’ve lost too many lately.”

Previously scheduled show opener Steely Dan was replaced by Gill.

The tour is expected to continue into 2024.

Encore time with The Eagles Sunday night @PPG Paints Arena. ⁦@TribLIVE⁩ ⁦@VNDNews⁩ pic.twitter.com/cKklm1Y4IT

— Joyce Hanz (@hanz_joyce) October 16, 2023

The Eagles last played in Pittsburgh in 2022.