Don Henley says Wal-Mart to get year-long exclusive on new Eagles album, next tour could be last
Some of the details of the contract between the Eagles and Wal-Mart are coming to light. Singer-drummer Don Henley told Tuesday's (Feb 6th) Los Angeles Times that the band's new album, which is titled Long Road Out Of Eden, will be exclusive to the retail giant for a year. The Eagles don't have a deal with a record label, so they were free to make the best deal they could for themselves, and this one seems likely to keep them connected to their core audience. Henley said, "This is the world we live in," then he added with a chuckle, "In the big picture, they can't be any more evil than a major record label." Long Road Out Of Eden should be delivered to Wal-Mart in the next two to three months.
Henley said the Eagles hope to have the record in stores in time for their summer tour, which could be their last. He said, "We believe we've got one more world tour in us, and then that'd be about it. We might just ride off into that old sunset." He added, "We are approaching 60. Tours used to be mentally challenging. Now they are mentally and physically challenging."
Henley added that the tensions that used to occur between he and his bandmates while on the road are pretty much gone. He said, "Incidents still happen on tour, but we don't let it get in the way of the performance. That's something you learn to do over a long span of years... The key to being on the road is to try to keep two things: Your sense of humor and your sense of gratitude."
Wal-Mart has been attacked for some of its policies over the years, and some have wondered why an environmentalist like Henley would go into business with the company. But he said, "A lot of the people who have criticized us are obviously unaware of what Wal-Mart is doing in overhauling their operation." He listed the retailer's "green" moves, including opening up eco-friendly stores, reducing packaging, and pressuring suppliers into enacting environmentally conscious programs. Henley added, "It's easy to sit outside on the sidelines and throw rocks when you don't know what's going on, but if you're going to change corporate America, then we have to get down in the dirt with them."
Henley will be honored as the 2007 MusiCares Person Of The Year on Friday (February 9th) in Los Angeles. The event will raise money for musicians in need.
Henley said the Eagles hope to have the record in stores in time for their summer tour, which could be their last. He said, "We believe we've got one more world tour in us, and then that'd be about it. We might just ride off into that old sunset." He added, "We are approaching 60. Tours used to be mentally challenging. Now they are mentally and physically challenging."
Henley added that the tensions that used to occur between he and his bandmates while on the road are pretty much gone. He said, "Incidents still happen on tour, but we don't let it get in the way of the performance. That's something you learn to do over a long span of years... The key to being on the road is to try to keep two things: Your sense of humor and your sense of gratitude."
Wal-Mart has been attacked for some of its policies over the years, and some have wondered why an environmentalist like Henley would go into business with the company. But he said, "A lot of the people who have criticized us are obviously unaware of what Wal-Mart is doing in overhauling their operation." He listed the retailer's "green" moves, including opening up eco-friendly stores, reducing packaging, and pressuring suppliers into enacting environmentally conscious programs. Henley added, "It's easy to sit outside on the sidelines and throw rocks when you don't know what's going on, but if you're going to change corporate America, then we have to get down in the dirt with them."
Henley will be honored as the 2007 MusiCares Person Of The Year on Friday (February 9th) in Los Angeles. The event will raise money for musicians in need.
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