Imagine your favorite song right now. Do you see it still being talked about or enjoyed in the next 50 years? Do you see the artist selling out stadiums?
Enter The Eagles and their iconic album Hotel California. Yes, the album turns 50 years old this year, and it is still one of the most culturally relevant albums out there.
On September 8, veteran rock journalist and historian Sean Egan will release Eagles and Hotel California: 50 Years, which is promised to provide a visual and narrative exploration of the album. Readers will take in the making, mythology, and influence of the record while learning why the album is still a fan-favorite amongst generations.
Across the book’s 176 pages are 250 rare and iconic images that are paired with modern reporting and new insight. It traces how the Eagles challenged society’s expectations and navigated a transition from society’s ‘60s idealism to ‘70s disillusion. In doing so, they earned a reputation as idealistic musicians who could push through a jaded era in time.
Specifically, Eagles and Hotel California is a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Hotel California. It captures the band’s turbulent recording sessions at the Record Plant in Los Angeles and Criteria Studios in Miami; traces the rise of hits like “New Kid in Town,” “Life in the Fast Lane,” and “Hotel California;” and analyzes the overarching themes and concept behind the album. Additionally, the work ethic and style of the band is discussed, as many saw the Eagles as serious artists who could feed into the rock-star lifestyle just as much as they could produce chart-topping and radio-friendly hits.
After 50 years, this album still matters. It serves as proof that popular music can both excite and make people think.
Eagles and Hotel California: 50 Years by Sean Egan is a slipcased, hardcover book that will be released September 8 via Motorbooks, an imprint of The Quarto Group. You can pre-order a copy here.
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