The Eagles Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction was Jan. 12, 1998. It was the 13th annual Hall of Fame induction, and it was held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York. This was the first year of eligibility for the Eagles. All seven Eagles were inducted by Jimmy Buffett, and all seven performed together for the first (and last) time at this ceremony. There is a 2-page Scottsbluff Star-Herald article below (from Randy’s home town in Nebraska). Randy’s mom, Emilie Meisner, is quoted in it along with Randy’s long-time friend, Roger Frank. Also, former Drivin’ Dynamics bandmate, Larry Soto, is quoted. Roger Frank, from Scottsbluff, attended the RRHOF ceremony with Randy.
There are a few RRHOF videos with the Eagles at the end of this page:
- Acceptance speeches by the Eagles
- “Take It Easy” Eagles performance
- “Hotel California” Eagles performance
- Joe Walsh giving his thoughts on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Randy is in this very short video that includes the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (about mid-way). Don’t blink, or you’ll miss him.
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) announced in August 2018 that the Eagles’ album “Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975” is now the best-selling album of all time in America.
Eagles Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony – Randy Meisner at the podium
Eagles Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction
From the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Facebook page
Eagles Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction
Bernie Leadon, Don Felder, Joe Walsh, Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Timothy B. Schmit, and Randy Meisner
The story about Don Henley’s old boots
Don wearing his paint-spattered old boots to the RRHOF
The Eagles sing “Take It Easy” and “Hotel California” at the RRHOF ceremony
– All seven Eagles at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony –
According to “The Eagles FAQ” book by Andrew Vaughan, this framed photo sits behind the cash register at the famous Lucy’s El Adobe Cafe on Melrose Ave. across from Paramount Studios in Los Angeles. Lucy’s is where California Governor Jerry Brown met Linda Ronstadt.
Randy Meisner, Don Henley, Don Felder, Timothy B. Schmit, Joe Walsh, Glenn Frey, and Bernie Leadon
The Hall of Fame program booklet (front and back cover), and the Eagles are depicted at the top of the back cover.
RRHOF dinner menu
Two-page Star-Herald interview with Randy Meisner’s mom, Emilie Meisner, and friends about the RRHOF induction
“Roger Frank, Scottsbluff, will attend the ceremony with his close friend. In the 70s Frank went along on one of the Eagles’ tours with Randy and said he can’t wait to see them play together again.”
“On stage with the Eagles, Meisner would wear Frank Implement (Frank’s company) t-shirts and had a Frank Implement bumper sticker on the back of his guitar. He used to flip his guitar up so the audience could see it, Frank said. He took Frank Implement all over Europe with him.”
Inaccuracies in the timeline on page 2 of article:
- Eagles were formed in 1971; not 1970.
- Randy was in both Rick Nelson’s band and Poco prior to 1980.
- Randy joined the World Classic Rockers, but he didn’t start the group.
“Artists become eligible 25 years after their first record. The class of ’98, for which voting took place in 1997, had to have recorded no later than 1972.”
Daily News (New York, NY) – Jan. 8, 1998
“In contrast to past years, when inductees sparred with the Hall and among themselves, sometimes on stage, all living members of this year’s class indicated that they would accept their honors with a smile.”
Daily News (New York, NY) – Jan. 13, 1998
“The Hall of Fame induction was a moment of triumph for the band because it had been widely dismissed by much of the East Coast music establishment in the ’70s for its laid-back Southern California country-rock style.”
LA Times (Los Angeles, CA) – Jan. 13, 1998
Stevens Point Journal (Stevens Point, WI) – Jan. 13, 1998
Star Press (Muncie, IN) – Jan. 13, 1998
The Province (Vancouver, British Columbia) – Jan. 14, 1998
“After reportedly insisting they close the show, then making several annoyed references to the fact they were only given two songs, the Eagles did a nice job on ‘Take It Easy’ and ‘Hotel California.’ Then everyone went home.”
Daily News (New York, NY) – Jan. 14, 1998
Herald-News (Passaic, NJ) – Jan. 16, 1998
Eagles Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Videos
The acceptance speeches by the Eagles at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Eagles perform “Take It Easy” at RRHOF
It’s great that Randy and Glenn kept the tradition of looking at each other during the standing-on-a-corner verse this one last time.
Eagles perform “Hotel California” at RRHOF
Joe Walsh explaining that the RRHOF is all political – Oct. 2018
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum in Cleveland, OH
Wausau Daily Herald (Wausau, WI) – Aug. 6, 1995
Wausau Daily Herald (Wausau, WI) – Aug. 6, 1995
Wausau Daily Herald (Wausau, WI) – Mar. 31, 1996
Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, OH) – Jan. 13, 1998
Good to see this reposted with a few new bits. Joe’s piece at the end is too funny.
We can usually count on Joe to tell it like it is.