Don Henley accidentally spilled some emotional, rather touching news for Eagles fans. As Billboard reports, in an interview with local Dallas affiliate sports radio station KTCK, one of the hosts asked Henley about performing with fellow Eagle Glenn Frey’s son in upcoming festival appearances at Classic East and Classic West.
“Well, I’m not supposed to say that,” Henley said, before deciding to talk about it anyway. ““There’s going to be an official announcement in a few days, but let’s just do it here. Glenn’s son Deacon is a very talented young man, and he seems to be up for the task. He’s enthusiastic about it and he’s been working real hard on it, and he’s gonna do it with us. And I think that’s appropriate.”
Frey, a founding member of The Eagles served as lead singer and frontman along with Henley, and passed in January of 2016. His loss is still deeply felt by his fellow band members, and they are seeking to honor him this year but including Deacon in their special festival performances.
“There’s an old system both in Eastern and Western culture called the guild system, where the father is the master and the son is the apprentice,” Henley said. “The trade, the craft, the business is handed down from father to son. I think it’s the only appropriate way to carry on. I don’t think I’d do it otherwise. Since it’s Glenn’s blood, it’s his son, I think that’s appropriate.”
The Classic West and Classic East festivals will be held July 15-16 at LA’s Dodger Stadium and July 29-30 at New York’s Citi Field respectively. Henley also mentioned that one more special guest would be joining the band, but wouldn’t reveal that final secret just yet.
