The modern artist Glenn Frey always loved: “She just stood there and burned”
The way that some older artists struggle to accept new music perfectly reflects how much taste and style change over time. This isn’t a general rule; there are some people who love staying up to date with new music, but it’s not often that you see Roger Daltrey raving about the new Charli XCX album. There seems to be a cut-off point where people stop looking forward and start looking back, but that doesn’t mean that modern artists can’t move classic musicians.
When the Eagles first rose to fame, their musical work was groundbreaking. Country was huge, and rock was huge, but they remained in their own separate lanes. Some artists tried to connect the two in segments, but none of them had any mainstream success. It wasn’t until the Eagles came along with a sound so fleshed out and cohesive that it was hard to recognise it as anything other than perfect.
Their influence has continued long after the band split, especially in the modern era, thanks to the new resurgence of country music. With so many modern artists leaning into country roots, the Eagles’ influence is more evident than ever. The musical stylings of Glenn Frey and Don Henley are scattered among the musical stars and continue to shine even in 2024.
With that in mind, it’s worth pondering whether Glenn Frey is interested in any modern artists. While it turns out he is, they don’t have much standing in the contemporary country scene. When asked about which artists he’s a big fan of in the modern age, Frey was quick to mention Adele, who he adores because of her natural talent.
When you listen to Eagles, there is great technical proficiency. There is no escaping the fact that they are excellent musicians and have an in-depth understanding of song structure. They have always been lacking in flamboyancy, though, which is a conscious decision. The band have always been willing to just let the music do the talking, and while their live shows were good, they were hardly littered with fireworks, dancers and light shows.
Frey is able to connect with Adele’s stripped-back nature. While some of her songs feature big bands and a large sound, she relies on the power of her voice and is happy to let that be the star of the show rather than any kind of light show or flamboyancy.
“I love Adele,” said Frey, “I watched the Grammys this year, and at the Grammys there was a lot of glamour, there was a lot of dancers, there was a lot of flash, and then Adele came on. And everybody was dressed in black, and they only had a white light on her, and she just stood there and burned.”
Sometimes, less is more. When your music is strong and your vocals are stronger, anything more than that can detract from the power. Eagles understand this, as does Adele, so it’s only natural that they’re fans of one another.
