2011: A Look Back

Just as I did last year, I've decided to go back and review what our Eagles have been up to.

It was a special year indeed. As well as being the 40th year anniversary of the formation of the band, it also saw spates of solo shows from Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Timothy B. Schmit, Joe Walsh, and former member Don Felder as well as some shows from the Eagles themselves - several in places they had never played before. As far as I know, there has never been a time where so many Eagles have toured solo at around the same time.

What will 2012 bring? It looks to be an exciting year. Glenn, Don, and Joe all have announced plans to release new albums in 2012, and the Eagles plan to release a "History of the Eagles" featuring Eagles rarities. A 40th Anniversary tour will be mounted as well; perhaps it will also include some rarities. Shows in South Africa and New Orleans have already been announced. Exciting times are ahead!

But for now... 2011.

FEBRUARY
Eagles mount their first tour of Asia in years. They hit Bangkok, Singapore, and Taipei.

Timothy B. Schmit and his wife create an endowment at Berklee College, where their son attends school.

Timothy B. Schmit releases his first video off of Expando for the song "Friday Night." It is featued on his YouTube channel as well as other social media.

MARCH
Eagles continue touring in Asia. They leave Japan days before a tsunami devastated parts of the country. They also play shows in China, South Korea, and Hong Kong.

APRIL
Timothy B. Schmit teams with Paul Carrack and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to release a new version of "Love Will Keep Us Alive."

Don Felder opens an official site.

JUNE
Eagles begin a short tour of several European countries. They play Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, and Germany.

JULY
Eagles wrap up their short tour with Hop Farm Festival in England.

Historically, this month also marks the 40th anniversary of the first time the original members of the Eagles played together, although they would not release an album until 1972.

AUGUST
Glenn Frey plays his first solo shows in three years; both are in Niagara Falls. He announces plans for a new album, After Hours, his first since the early 90s - Valentine's Day 2012 is the tentative release date. The album will consist of covers of songs stretching over the 20th century, although it is rumored that the original song "After Hours" will also be on the album.... and the title seems to bear that out! He also announces plans for a "History of the Eagles" coming out in 2012 to commemorate the band's 40th anniversary.

SEPTEMBER
Don Henley begins a spate of shows, mostly in California, and adds covers of several songs he's never performed live before to the setlist. He continues to stress his plans for an upcoming album, which will consist mostly of covers of county hits but will also be inclusive of some original material. It is set to come out in 2012.

OCTOBER
Don Henley's tour expands to include Las Vegas and Oklahoma.

Joe Walsh begins a brief tour that hits several areas of the country. He states that his new album, Analog Man, will be out in 2012. He also plays the title track at some shows during his brief tour.

Glenn Frey gives a lecture as part of the "Hall of Fame Master Class" series at NYU and, in addition to discussing his songwriting, plays "It's Your World Now" for the first time publicly.

Timothy B. Schmit announces that he will appear on a tribute album to Linda McCartney.

NOVEMBER
Joe Walsh and Don Henley wrap up their tours in California and Florida, respectively.

Glenn Frey performs at benefit in New Orleans.

Eagles play their only American shows of the year in Las Vegas.

Timothy B . Schmit plays a few solo shows in California, his first since the Expando tour.

DECEMBER
Timothy B. Schmit wraps up his brief tour in California.

Eagles announce that in 2012, they will be playing South Africa for the first time ever.

Eagles also announce participation in 2012's Jazz Fest in New Orleans.

2011 rocked... and I have a feeling 2012 is going to be absolutely epic!