Hotel California
Encyclopedia
Hotel California is the fifth studio album released by the American
rock
band the Eagles, in late 1976
. It is the first Eagles album without founding member Bernie Leadon
and the first album with Joe Walsh
. It is also the last album featuring original bass player and singer Randy Meisner
. The album became the band's highest selling studio album with over 16 million copies sold in the U.S. alone. The album topped the charts and won the band two more Grammy awards for “Hotel California
” and “New Kid in Town
”. The album was nominated for album of the year but lost to Fleetwood Mac
's Rumours
.
The album yielded three Top 20 singles, “New Kid in Town”, “Hotel California”, and “Life In The Fast Lane
”. “New Kid in Town” and “Hotel California” both topped the Billboard Hot 100
, and “Life In The Fast Lane” reached #11 on the charts. The album was ranked #37 on Rolling Stone
's list of the “500 Greatest Albums Of All Time”. The album further established the group as the most successful American band of the decade, making the Eagles household names. The song “Hotel California” is considered by many to be one of the greatest rock songs of all time, it was ranked #49 on Rolling Stone's list of the “500 Greatest Songs Of All Time”. The guitar duet at the end of the song was performed by Don Felder and Joe Walsh. The album also features “Wasted Time”, “Victim Of Love”, and “The Last Resort
”.
:
“New Kid in Town”, on February 26, 1977, and “Hotel California” on May 7, 1977.
In 2001 the TV network VH1
named Hotel California #38 on 100 Greatest Albums of all time. Hotel California was ranked 13th in a 2005 survey held by British television's Channel 4
to determine the 100 greatest albums of all time. In 2003, the album was ranked number 37 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
Following its original release on standard LP, cassette and 8-track cartridge formats, the album was slated for Quadraphonic
release in early 1977; this idea was ultimately dropped following the demise of the Quadraphonic format. However, in 2001, that is, 25 years later, the album was released in a Multichannel 5.1 DVD-Audio
disc. On August 17, 2011, the album was also released on a hybrid SACD
in Japan in The Warner Premium Sound series
, containing both a stereo and a 5.1 mix.
Members of the Eagles have described the album as a metaphor for the perceived decline of
America into materialism and decadence. In an interview with Dutch
magazine ZigZag
shortly before the album's release, Don Henley
said:
The album’s final track, the epic “The Last Resort”, was about the demise of society. Glenn Frey
on the Hotel California episode of In the Studio with Redbeard
explained about the track:
. It was photographed by David Alexander
with design and art direction by Kosh
. The rear album cover was shot at the Lido in Hollywood.
Side two
Production
Nominations
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band the Eagles, in late 1976
1976 in music
-January–February:*January 5 – Former Beatles road manager Mal Evans is shot dead by Los Angeles police after refusing to drop what police only later determine is an air rifle....
. It is the first Eagles album without founding member Bernie Leadon
Bernie Leadon
Bernard Mathew "Bernie" Leadon, III is an American musician and songwriter, best known as a founding member of the Eagles. Prior to the Eagles, he was a member of two pioneering and highly influential country rock bands, Dillard & Clark and the Flying Burrito Brothers...
and the first album with Joe Walsh
Joe Walsh
Joseph Fidler "Joe" Walsh is an American musician, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He has been a member of three commercially successful bands, the James Gang, Barnstorm, and the Eagles, and has experienced notable success as a solo artist and prolific session musician, especially with B.B...
. It is also the last album featuring original bass player and singer Randy Meisner
Randy Meisner
Randy Herman Meisner is an American musician and songwriter, best known as a founding member of Poco and the Eagles...
. The album became the band's highest selling studio album with over 16 million copies sold in the U.S. alone. The album topped the charts and won the band two more Grammy awards for “Hotel California
Hotel California (song)
"Hotel California" is the title song from the Eagles' album of the same name and was released as a single in February 1977. It is one of the best-known songs of the album-oriented rock era. Writing credits for the song are shared by Don Felder, Don Henley and Glenn Frey...
” and “New Kid in Town
New Kid in Town
"New Kid in Town", written by Don Henley, Glenn Frey and J.D. Souther, is a song by the Eagles, from their 1976 album Hotel California. Released as the first single from the album, the song became a #1 hit in the USA, and #20 in the UK. The single version has an earlier fade-out than the album...
”. The album was nominated for album of the year but lost to Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac are a British–American rock band formed in 1967 in London.The only original member present in the band is its eponymous drummer, Mick Fleetwood...
's Rumours
Rumours
Rumours is the eleventh studio album by British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac. Largely recorded in California during 1976, it was produced by the band with Ken Caillat and Richard Dashut and was released on 4 February 1977 by Warner Bros. Records. The record peaked at the top of both the...
.
The album yielded three Top 20 singles, “New Kid in Town”, “Hotel California”, and “Life In The Fast Lane
Life in the Fast Lane
"Life in the Fast Lane" is a song written by Joe Walsh, Glenn Frey and Don Henley and recorded by the American rock band Eagles on their 1976 studio album Hotel California...
”. “New Kid in Town” and “Hotel California” both topped the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, and “Life In The Fast Lane” reached #11 on the charts. The album was ranked #37 on Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
's list of the “500 Greatest Albums Of All Time”. The album further established the group as the most successful American band of the decade, making the Eagles household names. The song “Hotel California” is considered by many to be one of the greatest rock songs of all time, it was ranked #49 on Rolling Stone's list of the “500 Greatest Songs Of All Time”. The guitar duet at the end of the song was performed by Don Felder and Joe Walsh. The album also features “Wasted Time”, “Victim Of Love”, and “The Last Resort
The Last Resort (song)
"The Last Resort" is a song written by Don Henley and Glenn Frey, which tells about how man inevitably destroys the places he finds beautiful. It was originally released on the Eagles' album Hotel California on December 8. 1976...
”.
History
Hotel California was the Eagles’ fifth album of original material and became a critical success and a major commercial hit; since its release in late 1976, it has sold over 16 million copies in the U.S. alone. The album was at #1 for eight weeks in early 1977 (non-consecutively), and included two tracks which became #1 hits as singles on the Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
:
“New Kid in Town”, on February 26, 1977, and “Hotel California” on May 7, 1977.
In 2001 the TV network VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
named Hotel California #38 on 100 Greatest Albums of all time. Hotel California was ranked 13th in a 2005 survey held by British television's Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
to determine the 100 greatest albums of all time. In 2003, the album was ranked number 37 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
Following its original release on standard LP, cassette and 8-track cartridge formats, the album was slated for Quadraphonic
Quadraphonic
Quadraphonic sound – the most widely used early term for what is now called 4.0 surround sound – uses four channels in which speakers are positioned at the four corners of the listening space, reproducing signals that are independent of one another...
release in early 1977; this idea was ultimately dropped following the demise of the Quadraphonic format. However, in 2001, that is, 25 years later, the album was released in a Multichannel 5.1 DVD-Audio
DVD-Audio
DVD-Audio is a digital format for delivering high-fidelity audio content on a DVD. DVD-Audio is not intended to be a video delivery format and is not the same as video DVDs containing concert films or music videos....
disc. On August 17, 2011, the album was also released on a hybrid SACD
Super Audio CD
Super Audio CD is a high-resolution, read-only optical disc for audio storage. Sony and Philips Electronics jointly developed the technology, and publicized it in 1999. It is designated as the Scarlet Book standard. Sony and Philips previously collaborated to define the Compact Disc standard...
in Japan in The Warner Premium Sound series
The Warner Premium Sound series
The Warner Premium Sound series is series of 2011 hybrid multichannel-stereo Super Audio CD/CD releases, which an important development in the format war between Super Audio CDs and DVD-Audio discs. It marks the first time that the Warner Music Group has released titles in the SACD format;...
, containing both a stereo and a 5.1 mix.
Members of the Eagles have described the album as a metaphor for the perceived decline of
America into materialism and decadence. In an interview with Dutch
magazine ZigZag
ZigZag (magazine)
ZigZag was a British rock music magazine. It was started by Pete Frame and the first edition rolled off the printing presses on 16 April 1969...
shortly before the album's release, Don Henley
Don Henley
Donald Hugh "Don" Henley is an American singer, songwriter and drummer, best known as a founding member of the Eagles before launching a successful solo career. Henley was the drummer and lead vocalist for the Eagles from 1971–1980, when the band broke up...
said:
The album’s final track, the epic “The Last Resort”, was about the demise of society. Glenn Frey
Glenn Frey
Glenn Lewis Frey is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and actor, best known as a founding member of the Eagles. Frey formed the Eagles after he met drummer Don Henley in 1970 and the two eventually joined Linda Ronstadt's backup band for her summer tour. The Eagles formed in 1971 and...
on the Hotel California episode of In the Studio with Redbeard
In the Studio with Redbeard
In the Studio with Redbeard is a North American radio program, produced and hosted by Dallas, Texas based rock and roll disc jockey Redbeard....
explained about the track:
Album cover
The cover image is of the Beverly Hills HotelBeverly Hills Hotel
The Beverly Hills Hotel is a hotel on Sunset Boulevard in Beverly Hills, California. It was opened on May 12, 1912 by Margaret J. Anderson and her son, Stanley S. Anderson, who had been managing the Hollywood Hotel. The original main building of The Beverly Hills Hotel was designed by Pasadena...
. It was photographed by David Alexander
David Alexander
David Alexander may refer to:*David Lindo Alexander , British lawyer and Jewish community leader*David M. Alexander , American writer*David W...
with design and art direction by Kosh
Kosh (art director)
Kosh is an English art director, album cover designer, graphic artist, and documentary producer/director. He was born in London, England and rose to prominence in the mid-1960s while designing for the Royal Ballet and the Royal Opera House...
. The rear album cover was shot at the Lido in Hollywood.
Track listing
Side one- ”Hotel CaliforniaHotel California (song)"Hotel California" is the title song from the Eagles' album of the same name and was released as a single in February 1977. It is one of the best-known songs of the album-oriented rock era. Writing credits for the song are shared by Don Felder, Don Henley and Glenn Frey...
” (Don FelderDon FelderDonald William "Don" Felder is an American musician and songwriter, best known for his work as lead guitarist for the Eagles from 1974 to 1980 and again from 1994 to 2001.-Early life and influences:...
, Don HenleyDon HenleyDonald Hugh "Don" Henley is an American singer, songwriter and drummer, best known as a founding member of the Eagles before launching a successful solo career. Henley was the drummer and lead vocalist for the Eagles from 1971–1980, when the band broke up...
, Glenn FreyGlenn FreyGlenn Lewis Frey is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and actor, best known as a founding member of the Eagles. Frey formed the Eagles after he met drummer Don Henley in 1970 and the two eventually joined Linda Ronstadt's backup band for her summer tour. The Eagles formed in 1971 and...
) – 6:30- Lead vocal by Don Henley, percussion by Don Henley, guitar solos by Don Felder and Joe WalshJoe WalshJoseph Fidler "Joe" Walsh is an American musician, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He has been a member of three commercially successful bands, the James Gang, Barnstorm, and the Eagles, and has experienced notable success as a solo artist and prolific session musician, especially with B.B...
- Lead vocal by Don Henley, percussion by Don Henley, guitar solos by Don Felder and Joe Walsh
- ”New Kid in TownNew Kid in Town"New Kid in Town", written by Don Henley, Glenn Frey and J.D. Souther, is a song by the Eagles, from their 1976 album Hotel California. Released as the first single from the album, the song became a #1 hit in the USA, and #20 in the UK. The single version has an earlier fade-out than the album...
” (J.D. Souther, Henley, Frey) – 5:03- Lead vocal by Glenn Frey, guitarronGuitarrónSee also: Guitarrón ChilenoThe guitarrón mexicano or Mexican guitarron, is a very large, deep-bodied Mexican 6-string acoustic bass played in mariachi groups...
by Randy MeisnerRandy MeisnerRandy Herman Meisner is an American musician and songwriter, best known as a founding member of Poco and the Eagles...
, electric pianoElectric pianoAn electric piano is an electric musical instrument.Electric pianos produce sounds mechanically and the sounds are turned into electrical signals by pickups. Unlike a synthesizer, the electric piano is not an electronic instrument, but electro-mechanical. The earliest electric pianos were invented...
and organOrgan (music)The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
by Joe Walsh, lead guitar by Don Felder
- Lead vocal by Glenn Frey, guitarron
- ”Life in the Fast LaneLife in the Fast Lane"Life in the Fast Lane" is a song written by Joe Walsh, Glenn Frey and Don Henley and recorded by the American rock band Eagles on their 1976 studio album Hotel California...
” (Joe WalshJoe WalshJoseph Fidler "Joe" Walsh is an American musician, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He has been a member of three commercially successful bands, the James Gang, Barnstorm, and the Eagles, and has experienced notable success as a solo artist and prolific session musician, especially with B.B...
, Henley, Frey) – 4:46- Lead vocal by Don Henley, lead guitar by Joe Walsh, clavinetClavinetA Clavinet is an electrically amplified keyboard instrument manufactured by the Hohner company. It is essentially an electronically amplified clavichord, analogous to an electric guitar. Its distinctive bright staccato sound has appeared particularly in funk, disco, rock, and reggae songs.Various...
by Glenn Frey
- Lead vocal by Don Henley, lead guitar by Joe Walsh, clavinet
- ”Wasted Time” (Henley, Frey) – 4:55
- Lead vocal by Don Henley, piano by Glenn Frey, organ by Joe Walsh, lead guitar by Don Felder
Side two
- ”Wasted Time (Reprise)” (instrumental) (Henley, Frey, Jim Ed Norman) – 1:22
- Strings arranged and conducted by Jim Ed Norman
- ”Victim of Love” (Felder, Souther, Henley, Frey) – 4:11
- Lead vocal by Don Henley, first guitar solo by Don Felder, slide guitar by Joe Walsh
- ”Pretty Maids All in a Row” (Walsh, Joe VitaleJoe Vitale (musician)Joe Vitale is an American musician primarily known as a drummer but also a flautist, keyboardist and singer. He has played with many of the top names in music during a career dating back to the 1970s.-Biography:...
) – 3:58- Lead vocal and piano by Joe Walsh, slide guitar by Don Felder, synthesizers by Glenn Frey and Joe Walsh
- ”Try and Love Again” (Randy MeisnerRandy MeisnerRandy Herman Meisner is an American musician and songwriter, best known as a founding member of Poco and the Eagles...
) – 5:10- Lead vocal by Randy Meisner, lead guitar by Glenn Frey, Gretsch guitar by Joe Walsh
- ”The Last ResortThe Last Resort (song)"The Last Resort" is a song written by Don Henley and Glenn Frey, which tells about how man inevitably destroys the places he finds beautiful. It was originally released on the Eagles' album Hotel California on December 8. 1976...
” (Henley, Frey) – 7:28- Lead vocal by Don Henley, piano by Glenn Frey, synthesizers by Joe Walsh and Don Henley, pedal steel guitar by Don Felder
Album pressing
The vinyl record pressings had custom picture labels of a blue Hotel California logo with a yellow background. They also had text engraved in the carry-out groove on each side:- “Is It 6 O'Clock Yet?"
- “V.O.L. Is Five-Piece Live” to indicate that the song “Victim of Love” was recorded live, with no overdubbing. Joe WalshJoe WalshJoseph Fidler "Joe" Walsh is an American musician, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He has been a member of three commercially successful bands, the James Gang, Barnstorm, and the Eagles, and has experienced notable success as a solo artist and prolific session musician, especially with B.B...
and Glenn Frey confirm this on the inner booklet of “The Very Best of The Eagles”.
Personnel
- Don FelderDon FelderDonald William "Don" Felder is an American musician and songwriter, best known for his work as lead guitarist for the Eagles from 1974 to 1980 and again from 1994 to 2001.-Early life and influences:...
– guitars, vocals - Glenn FreyGlenn FreyGlenn Lewis Frey is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and actor, best known as a founding member of the Eagles. Frey formed the Eagles after he met drummer Don Henley in 1970 and the two eventually joined Linda Ronstadt's backup band for her summer tour. The Eagles formed in 1971 and...
– guitars, keyboards, vocals, piano - Don HenleyDon HenleyDonald Hugh "Don" Henley is an American singer, songwriter and drummer, best known as a founding member of the Eagles before launching a successful solo career. Henley was the drummer and lead vocalist for the Eagles from 1971–1980, when the band broke up...
– drums, percussion, vocals, keyboards - Randy MeisnerRandy MeisnerRandy Herman Meisner is an American musician and songwriter, best known as a founding member of Poco and the Eagles...
– bass guitar, guitar, guitarron, vocals - Joe WalshJoe WalshJoseph Fidler "Joe" Walsh is an American musician, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He has been a member of three commercially successful bands, the James Gang, Barnstorm, and the Eagles, and has experienced notable success as a solo artist and prolific session musician, especially with B.B...
– guitar, slide guitar, keyboards, vocals, organ
Production
- Bill Szymczyk – producer
- Allan Blazek, Bruce Hensal, Ed Mashal, Bill Szymczyk – engineers
- Bill Szymczyk – mixing
- Jim Ed Norman – string arrangements, conductor
- Sid Sharp – concert master
- Don Henley, John Kosh – art direction
- John Kosh – design
- David Alexander – photography
- Kosh – artwork
- Norman Seeff – poster design
- Kevin Gray – CD preparation
- Ted JensenTed JensenTed Jensen is an American recording engineer. Jensen is the chief mastering engineer at Sterling Sound. He started his career as a mastering engineer in 1976 and is currently the most active Mastering Engineer in the industry...
– mastering and remastering
Singles
- “New Kid in Town”/ “Victim Of Love” - Asylum 45373; released December 7, 1976
- “Hotel California”/ “Pretty Maids All In A Row” - Asylum 45386; released February 22, 1977
- “Life in the Fast Lane”/“The Last Resort” - Asylum 45403; released May 3, 1977
Album
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Country Albums | 10 |
| 1977 | Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
1 |
| 1977 | Australian Kent Music Report Kent Music Report The Kent Music Report was a weekly record chart of Australian music singles and albums which was compiled by music enthusiast David Kent from May 1974 through to 1998... Albums Chart |
1 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | "New Kid in Town" | Adult Contemporary | 2 |
| 1977 | "New Kid In Town" | Country Singles | 43 |
| 1977 | "New Kid In Town" | Pop Singles | 1 |
| 1977 | "Hotel California" | Pop Singles | 1 |
| 1977 | "Life In The Fast Lane" | Pop Singles | 11 |
Certifications
| Country | Quantity | Certification |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | 1,000,000 | Diamond |
| France | 1,213,300 | Diamond |
| Germany | 500,000 | Platinum |
| United Kingdom | 1,800,000 | 6× Platinum |
| United States | 16,000,000 | 16× Platinum |
Grammys
Awards| Year | Winner | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | "Hotel California" | Record of the Year Grammy Award for Record of the Year The Record of the Year is one of the four most prestigious Grammy Awards presented annually. It has been awarded since 1959.-History:The honorees through its history have been:*1959-1965: Artist only.*1966-1998: Artist and producer.... |
| 1977 | "New Kid in Town" | Best Arrangement For Voices Grammy Award for Best Vocal Arrangement for Two or More Voices The Grammy Award for Best Vocal Arrangement for Two or More Voices was awarded from 1977 to 1986. From 1977 to 1981 it was called the Grammy Award for Best Arrangement for Voices... |
Nominations
| Year | Nominee | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | "Hotel California" | Song of the Year Grammy Award for Song of the Year The Song of the Year is one of the four most prestigious awards in the Grammy Awards ceremony, if not in all of the American music industry. It has been awarded since 1959 and unlike the Record of the Year award, which goes to the performer and production team of a single song, Song of the Year... |
| 1978 | Hotel California | Album of the Year Grammy Award for Album of the Year The Grammy Award for Album of the Year is the most prestigious award category at the Grammys. It has been awarded since 1959 and though it was originally presented to the artist alone, the award is now presented to the artist, the producer, the engineer and/or mixer and the mastering engineer... |
| 1977 | Bill Szymczyk | Producer of the Year Grammy Award for Producer of the Year There are two Grammy Awards given to Producers of the Year:*Grammy Award for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical*Grammy Award for Producer of the Year, Classical... |