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Dutch Interview 2001

Thank you to Caryle, Anneke & Lynn for the translations to this interview.

Is the "Don Felder" incident a big problem now it is worldwide known that during an official meeting of the Eagles Don Felder has been sacked? He reacted with anger and sent you an army of lawyers. After all it is Felder's guitar solos that are the signatures of a lot of Eagles song ever since 1974 (Hotel California included).

Cautious Timothy reacted (singer/bass player and partner of the Eagles Recording Co, still with hair!!) No, I cannot say anything about the case. Many lawsuits are there and every word I mention about it its one too many. I just want to say that the atmosphere in the band never has been better. We are full of energy and very looking forward to this tour. It is even true we are working on a new album. We spent a lot of time and attention to all details and everybody knows that our rehearsals are spartanly. Every second has to be meaningful.

The Eagles are already historic band and still the prices for tickets are extremely high. Fans pay like hundreds of dollars to see their youth heroes play...

Schmit: In America there was a lot of criticism about the prices. On one side I can imagine that on the other hand I cannot. We are not putting a gun to someone’s head to force them to come to our concerts. It is simple; if you think it too expensive don’t come. It is all because of the free market.

OK, Entrefees are a lot favorable in Europe but still a ticket is still about 200 guilders?

Schmit: Funny that we are still - also in Europe - playing in sold out theaters. People probably don’t have a problem to pay those high amounts of money for us. Why not? Our concerts last for over 3 hours. That takes a lot of preparation. You bet we did our homework. We give an outstanding evening and our public takes something home: a very special feeling. I think we are worth it.

Considering a spokesman of Mojo Concerts the high prices are because of the indoor tour that the Eagles do. Instead of stadiums, like in the summer of 96 "Hell Freezes Over" tour in the Rotterdam Kuip, they chose inside locations like Ahoy for a number of 10.000 only. And that backfires on the price of the ticket. The Eagles salary is that high that a least 1 concert of 1,75 million has to cover the expense of all.

After that the interview changed from old colleagues and concert prices to his solo career and his latest CD, Feed the Fire

Schmit: I will always make music, even if the Eagles don’t do a thing. I mean no recording, no rehearsals of concerts or meeting or interviews blbla. After the Eagles breakup somewhere in 1980 I completely focused on my first solo album Playin' It Cool that has been released by Elektra. By the way also Don Henley, Joe Walsh and John David Souther are playing on it. Oh and Steve Lukather. The (cover) track "So Much In Love" is also on the soundtrack of "Fast Times At Ridgemont High" (1982)

"Timothy B" my second album was released in 1987 and had two hit singles: Boys' Night Out and Don't Give Up. Dick Rudolph was responsible for the production.

In 1990 "Tell Me The Truth" followed. On the track "For The Children", my daughter Jeddrah and other kids sing as well. The album is co produced by Don Henley, Danny Kortchmar and myself and released by MCA.

"Feed the Fire" was released by Lucan a daughter of Irving Azoff's Giant Records. I produced it together with Mark Hudson and also Joe was there again. The third track " Make You Feel My Love" is a Bob Dylan song of which I had the vocals ready for some time.

One day you found old Eagles members on other musicians’ albums....

Schmit: yep that's right. But we always did that even when we still were together as a band. I expect my name popped up?

That’s right: I mentioned a few:

What this country etc etc

Till the end: How do you feel about the pop music of today

Schmit: The music industry is overwhelmed with "one day flys" at the moment. One hit and it's over. I have always been open with it but I reached my limit in this. My 12-year-old son-I was in his room the other day and he was listening to a singer screaming about how he hated his parents and how he wanted to mutilate them. I asked my son if he felt that way and what he liked about the song. He thought the music was cool: the guitar and rhythm. Somehow I can imagine that, and he is a problem-less child but I do worry about lyrics like that and how they will effect an innocent brain.... If we are in the car together we listen to his favorite station as well, but after half an hour the radio immediately is moved to a more considered station. I notice that Modern Rock and Rap makes me angry. Why? There are rage attacks with no purpose. And the lamentation: They should be thankful: they are on the radio and making lots of money. They are complaining and swearing to become famous and rich in no time. Other music is like pure pornography. That is something to be scared of. Where do we end?

Of course the Eagles have songs about that. We have doubts about everything but that is philosophic. They have a meaning and that is what I miss in music of these days...........

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