Vince Gill is one of the most acclaimed country singers and guitarists of all time. He first rose to fame as the frontman of the country rock band Pure Prairie League in the 1970s. Since going solo in 1983, Gill has released over 20 studio albums and won 21 Grammy Awards. His smooth voice and top-notch guitar skills have made him a legend in the country music world.
In recent years, Vince Gill has collaborated with the legendary rock band The Eagles. He performed with the Eagles during their 2017 Classic West and Classic East stadium shows. Gill also sang lead vocals on the Eagles’ song “Take It to the Limit” during those concerts. Since 2017, there has been speculation among music fans about Gill potentially touring with the Eagles in the future.
Vince Gill’s History with the Eagles
Vince Gill has a long history with the individual members of the Eagles that dates back to the 1990s. In 1993, Gill recorded a version of “I Can’t Tell You Why” with Timothy B. Schmit, who sings and plays bass for the Eagles. Gill was also good friends with the late Eagles co-founder Glenn Frey. He inducted Frey into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2012 and sang “Peaceful Easy Feeling” in Frey’s honor at the 2016 Kennedy Center Honors.
After Glenn Frey’s death in 2016, the Eagles brought in Gill and Frey’s son Deacon to fill in for vocals during their live shows. Gill had previously filled in for Frey on select tour dates in 2015 when Frey was dealing with health issues. His history with the band made Gill a natural choice to step in after Frey’s passing.
Vince Gill Performs with the Eagles in 2017
In July 2017, the Eagles performed a series of stadium concerts billed as “Classic West” and “Classic East” in Los Angeles and New York. These shows served as a tribute to Glenn Frey and featured Vince Gill and Deacon Frey joining classic Eagles members Don Henley, Joe Walsh, and Timothy B. Schmit. The concerts included the band’s first full live performances since Frey’s death.
For these special shows in 2017, Vince Gill sang Glenn Frey’s parts in Eagles classics like “Take It Easy,” “Peaceful Easy Feeling,” and “Lyin’ Eyes.” He also handled lead vocals on “Take It to the Limit,” a song originally sung by former Eagles member Randy Meisner. Gill received strong reviews for his performances with the Eagles. His vocals blended well with the band’s signature harmonies.
Speculation on Vince Gill Touring with the Eagles
The successful 2017 concerts with Vince Gill fueled speculation that he might join the Eagles for a full tour in the future. In September 2018, Don Henley commented that Gill was “always welcome” to continue collaborating with the band. However, Henley stopped short of confirming Gill as an official member at that time.
In February 2019, Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh mentioned in an interview that Gill was “sort of in the band” but they hadn’t had any formal discussions about it. Walsh expressed hope that Gill would tour with the Eagles for their next shows.
Evidence Supporting Gill Joining the Eagles Tour
There are a few reasons why music fans continue to speculate that Vince Gill will tour with the Eagles:
– Gill seamlessly handled Glenn Frey’s vocal parts during the 2017 shows. His voice complemented the group’s harmonies.
– In concert reviews, Gill received praise for his musical skills and stage presence with the Eagles.
– Gill has a long-standing relationship with the band members dating back decades.
– Eagles members Henley and Walsh have been open to Gill potentially joining them on tour.
Factors Casting Doubt on Gill Touring
However, there are also some factors that raise doubt about Vince Gill touring with the Eagles:
– Gill has not been officially announced as a new member. Henley referred to him as a “guest artist” in 2017.
– Gill has an extensive busy solo career that keeps him on the road regularly.
– At age 66 in 2023, Gill’s age could be a limiting factor for joining a lengthy tour.
– His core musical background is country, whereas the Eagles are rock n’ roll. Stylistic differences could be a barrier.
– Gill likely commands high solo booking fees, which may be problematic for the Eagles.
Vince Gill’s Busy Solo Touring Schedule
As a solo artist, Vince Gill maintains an extremely busy touring schedule. He continues to perform solo shows and with his band around the United States. Some highlights of Gill’s recent and upcoming solo concert dates:
– August – October 2022: 60+ shows across U.S.
– November 2022: 17-night residency at the CMA Theater in Nashville
– March – May 2023: 40+ shows scheduled in different U.S. cities
– June 2023: Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony induction
– July 2023: Performing at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville
– August – September 2023: Solo tour dates booked in Midwest and East Coast
Gill’s solo concert calendar for 2022 and 2023 remains very full. He is still in high demand as a headliner act at venues across the country. This busy schedule makes it appear difficult for Gill to commit to a lengthy nationwide tour with the Eagles.
Recent Updates on the Eagles Touring Plans
The Eagles have not done a full-fledged tour since 2016. In February 2022, Don Henley gave an update that the band was hoping to tour in 2023 or 2024. Henley said they wanted to wait until the pandemic had fully subsided before resuming touring.
In April 2022, Joe Walsh mentioned the Eagles having tentative plans to tour in the fall of 2023. However, Walsh did not provide specifics on the tour schedule or mention if Vince Gill would be part of it.
The band’s touring plans appear to still be in flux. As of October 2022, no official tour dates have been announced by the Eagles for 2023 yet. The timeline makes it uncertain if Gill could participate if his solo schedule is already booked.
What Needs to Happen for Gill to Tour with the Eagles
For Vince Gill to tour as a member of the Eagles in 2023 or beyond, a few things would need to occur:
– The Eagles would have to officially invite Gill to join the band on tour.
– The tour dates would have to align smoothly with Gill’s already scheduled solo shows.
– Gill would need to accept a role as a long-term touring member rather than a short-term guest.
– Financial negotiations would have to be settled between Gill and the Eagles regarding compensation.
– The band and Gill would have to agree on which songs he would sing lead vocals on during the concerts.
– There would likely need to be a period of intensive rehearsals for Gill to learn the Eagles’ full catalog of live material.
Challenges for this to Happen
The potential challenges or obstacles that could prevent Gill from touring with the Eagles include:
– Navigating the scheduling logistics given Gill’s packed solo calendar.
– Reconciling Gill’s country music roots and fans with the Eagles’ rock band identity.
– Agreeing on proper financial terms for Gill to join such an iconic band.
– Getting buy-in from passionate Eagles fans who may resist Gill taking Glenn Frey’s place.
– Determining if Gill’s voice and stamina can hold up to the rigors of a packed multi-month tour.
Why Gill Joining the Tour Makes Sense
On the other hand, there are compelling reasons why having Vince Gill tour with the Eagles does make sense:
– Gill proved he could flawlessly cover Glenn Frey’s parts during the 2017 concerts.
– His stellar guitar skills would enhance the band’s live shows.
– Gill’s respected stature in the music industry brings prestige to join the Eagles.
– As an acclaimed solo act, Gill likely would help attract bigger audiences to Eagles shows.
– At age 66, this may be Gill’s last chance to participate in a major tour of this monumental stature.
Setlist Possibilities If Gill Tours with the Eagles
If Vince Gill does eventually join the Eagles on tour, he certainly would sing lead on “Take It to the Limit” every night as he did in 2017. Gill also likely would sing Frey’s lead vocals on hits like “Peaceful Easy Feeling,” “Lyin’ Eyes” and “Take It Easy.”
For an Eagles setlist approximately 20-25 songs long on a tour with Gill, here are some educated guesses for how the lead vocal assignments could be divided up:
Song | Original Lead Vocalist | Potential Lead Vocalist with Gill |
---|---|---|
Hotel California | Don Henley | Don Henley |
Life in the Fast Lane | Glenn Frey | Vince Gill |
Witchy Woman | Bernie Leadon | Timothy B. Schmit |
One of These Nights | Don Henley | Don Henley |
Take It Easy | Glenn Frey | Vince Gill |
Peaceful Easy Feeling | Glenn Frey | Vince Gill |
Lyin’ Eyes | Glenn Frey | Vince Gill |
Take It to the Limit | Randy Meisner | Vince Gill |
Desperado | Don Henley | Don Henley |
In the City | Joe Walsh | Joe Walsh |
In this hypothetical setlist, Gill would sing lead on 5-6 of the songs originally sung by Glenn Frey. This would allow him to pay tribute to Frey’s legacy while also showcasing his own voice. The rest of the setlist could be filled out by Henley, Walsh and Schmit leading other classic Eagles hits.
How an Eagles Tour with Gill Could Impact His Solo Career
Joining a high-profile tour with the Eagles would likely raise Vince Gill’s visibility and introduce him to new audiences outside of the core country fanbase. He would have the chance to display his talents as a singer, guitarist and performer to larger rock crowds in major stadiums and arenas. This could potentially bolster ticket sales for Gill’s solo shows when he returns to his own tour after a stint with the Eagles.
However, there are risks as well. If some country fans perceive him as leaving country music behind to “go rock,” Gill could alienate portions of his longtime audience. Maintaining his authenticity with country listeners who expect a certain sound from Gill would be crucial. He would need to convey that playing with the Eagles is not fundamentally changing who he is as a country artist.
Finding the right balance between joining the Eagles for a tour and sustaining his solo career momentum would be the challenge for Gill. If he manages both adeptly, teaming up with the Eagles could be a career highlight that expands his audience reach. But it would be an intricate balancing act requiring careful management of his musical identity.
The Bottom Line on Vince Gill and the Eagles
While Vince Gill joining the Eagles on tour remains a possibility, there has been no official confirmation yet from Gill or the band. Fans continue to speculate based on Gill’s chemistry with the group and his long-time ties to the individual members. But his busy solo schedule and the Eagles’ indeterminate tour plans make the timing unclear.
Gill remains noncommittal when asked about touring with the Eagles, though he sounds open to collaborating again. The Eagles maintain that all touring decisions will be made keeping the legacy of Glenn Frey in mind. Frey’s enormous shoes would be hard for anyone to permanently fill.
In the end, Gill touring with the Eagles comes down to aligning schedules, managing logistics, agreeing on financial terms, and navigating audience perceptions. Gill and the Eagles blending their musical styles could satisfy fans of both artists. But ultimately the details and planning required to coordinate such an endeavor may prove too challenging.
The more likely outcome seems to be occasional special guest appearances where Gill sits in with the Eagles, without him becoming a full member. But only time will tell whether fans get to see a Vince Gill-fronted Eagles lineup out on a full-fledged tour. Until official announcements are made, it remains optimistic speculation.
Conclusion
Vince Gill joining the Eagles on tour is an intriguing possibility but far from a certainty. Gill’s phenomenal talent and history with the band make him a logical choice to collaborate with the Eagles. However, busy schedules, financial hurdles, and audience perceptions could be difficult obstacles to overcome. While seeing Gill regularly front the Eagles in concert would excite many fans, the logistics involved mean this potential outcome still lives mostly in the rumor mill. Unless Gill and the Eagles make concrete announcements about joining forces for a tour, speculation will likely continue outpacing reality. For now, Gill seems poised to keep forging ahead as a solo star in country music, with the door cracked open to perhaps fly with the Eagles again when the timing is right.