Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Out of all the classic Eagles albums, none is more universally beloved than “Hotel California,” so it was only fitting to find the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers performing it from front to back after landing inside a sold out United Center.

Though the line-up may look a little different these days with principal members Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit performing alongside Vince Gill, their backing band, the World Festival Orchestra and a guest appearance by the Chicago Children’s Choir, the sound remained exactly the same as the iconic album from the moment the curtain raised into the intoxicating strums of the title cut.

The rock meets country perfection continued with the laidback acoustics of “New Kid In Town” and rowdy riffs of “Life In The Fast Lane,” which brought a super early slice of the electricity level usually reserved for an encore.

That feeling returned on many occasions throughout the whopping three-hour evening, as did the chance to take deeper dives, such as the less frequently performed favorites “Wasted Time,” “Victim Of Love,” “Pretty Maids All In A Row,” “Try And Love Again” and “The Last Resort,” all further pointing to the consistency and continuity of the main course.

Given a recorded history that now spans exactly 50 years since starting with the late great Glenn Frey (whose son Deacon Frey usually appears but was out sick), it also meant an even lengthier set of standalone hits, including impeccable renderings of “Take It Easy,” “One Of These Nights,” “Take It To The Limit” and “I Can’t Tell You Why” once again coming across like the recordings, but with the punch that only comes from a concert.

“Lyin’ Eyes” was a textbook example of the Eagles’ superhuman harmonies, “Those Shoes” took a psychedelic turn towards the talk box and “Heartache Tonight” stomped with an irresistible honky-tonk groove for the initial finale.

Even Walsh and Henley, superstars in their own right, got a chance to deliver monumental solo moments, including the former’s “Life’s Been Good” and “Rocky Mountain Way,” plus the latter’s even more ageless “The Boys Of Summer.”

In fact, every Eagles song has stood the test of time, right down to “Desperado” and the glorious grand finale “Best Of My Love,” and though these seasoned veterans would be the first to say “you can check-out any time you like,” with the co-founding Henley even giving an extra round appreciation in case they don’t make it to Chicago again, hopefully they’ll never leave.

Click here for more photos of the Eagles at the United Center.

For additional information on the Eagles, visit Eagles.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the United Center include John Mayer (Apr. 28-29); Lil Durk (May 2); Justin Bieber (May 9-10); Chris Tomlin & United (Jun. 16); Rage Against The Machine (Jul. 11-12); Roger Waters (Jul. 26); Windy City Smokeout (Aug. 4-7); Swedish House Mafia (Aug. 13); Duran Duran (Aug. 20); The Killers (Sept. 21); Iron Maiden (Oct. 5) and The Who (Oct. 12). For additional details, visit UnitedCenter.com.

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