Ohio University Music Festival – April 27-28, 1973

The Ohio University Music Festival held April 27-28, 1973 was the third annual festival. The previous two years it had been called the Ohio University Folk Festival, and it usually drew about 30,000 in attendance. It’s held on campus at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio.

The Eagles and Joe Walsh & Barnstorm performed on the second day, April 28. Jonathan Edwards and Jo Jo Gunne were also on the bill for that day. The first day (April 27) was the lineup of Bruce Springsteen, Dr. Hook, Billy Preston, and Blood, Sweat & Tears. The concert was held in the university’s Convocation Center, known as “The Convo”, and it holds approx. 13,000 people.

This was a stop on the Desperado tour.

Charlie Nye, photographer

Ohio University Music Festival – Eagles on stage

Randy Meisner, Glenn Frey, Bernie Leadon, and Don Henley

Randy Meisner and Glenn Frey

Bernie Leadon and Glenn Frey

Don Henley (on drums), Randy Meisner, Bernie Leadon, and Glenn Frey

Ohio University Music Festival poster designed by John Moore

“The April 28 finale will feature Jonathan Edwards, Joe Walsh and Barnstorm, Jo Jo Gunne and the Eagles.”

“Eagles, which scored big with three hit singles in a row, ‘Take It Easy,’ ‘Witchy Woman’ and ‘Peaceful Easy Feeling,’ will wrap up the music festival Saturday night. Perhaps the finest country-rock band in the business, Eagles is said to put on a monster of a show.”

Columbus Sunday Dispatch (Columbus, OH) – Apr. 8, 1973

The News Record – University of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, OH) News Record – Apr. 24, 1973

The Post – Ohio University, Athens (Athens, OH) – Apr. 30, 1973

“Country and folk oriented, the Eagles played a mixture of soft folk songs mixed in with their top-40 hits ‘Take It Easy’, ‘Peaceful Easy Feeling’ and ‘Witchy Woman’ to bring the crowd to its feet demanding more when the artists had left the stage.”

The Lantern (Columbus, OH) – May 1, 1973

Ohio University Convocation Center – capacity 13,080