Holiday Jam at the Miami Orange Bowl was on July 7, 1974. The Orange Bowl Stadium opened its gates for the first time ever for a rock concert. Leon Russell was the headliner, and six bands played, including the Eagles. There was attendance of 18,000. The six bands were:
- Leon Russell
- The Band
- Eagles
- Lynyrd Skynyrd
- Sons of Champlin
- Isis
According to John Gellman, photographer, for the Miami Orange Bowl concert:
This was a day-long concert, and the Eagles were the highlight of the day. After the Eagles played, Alan Walden, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s manager, was extremely upset backstage yelling “I’m NEVER gonna let one of my bands follow that band ever again.” Alan was right to be upset. Following the Eagles onstage was not a good place to be. Skynyrd played well, but never even got close.
Holiday Jam at the Miami Orange Bowl
Bernie Leadon, Glenn Frey, Randy Meisner, and Don Felder
Glenn Frey and Don Felder
Miami Orange Bowl Stadium
Holiday Jam concert poster
$10 all-day ticket, backstage pass, and t-shirt
“The Eagles have taken the best ideas of groups like the Flying Burrito Brothers, Poco and other country-oriented rock groups to form their sound. Don Felder recently joined the group on lead guitar and the most recent album by the band has pushed it over the top as a big seller.”
The Miami Herald (Miami, FL) – July 5, 1974
Orange Bowl Stadium opened its gates to rock for the first time.
“The concert, which featured Leon Russell and The Band lasted from 2 pm when the burning sun was oppressive until past 11 pm which the city had mandated as closing time.”
Concert review in The Miami Herald (Miami, FL) – July 8, 1974
Concert review in The Tampa Times (Tampa, FL) – July 8, 1974
“Eagles is the first of the evening’s big three, starting strong with ‘Take It Easy,’ and then working through a relatively gentle, disarmingly melodic set that eventually takes a sharp turn into rock-country.”
Concert review in The Miami Herald (Miami, FL) – July 9, 1974
Salary was $15,000 for the Eagles.
I was at this show ~ Had a copy of the yellow poster on my wall as a kid for years after.
That would have been a great show to be at, although the guys look like they are melting from the heat up there on stage.
I was at this concert , it was a scorching hot day , I remember Russel passing out after just 2 songs , He was clearly stoned out of his gord , Glen Frye came on after 20 or so minutes of silence and played Leon’s hit songs , and saved the night ,I will always remember it , the following month I would see The Allman Brothers Band , in another massively successful concert , even bigger crowd ….
I’ve always felt bad for the guys on stage, because you can tell by the photos that it was definitely sweltering hot that day. That’s interesting about Glenn filling in for Leon by singing Leon’s songs. Except for having to endure the heat, you were fortunate to be there for that show.