Meaning:
This quote by Glenn Frey, a musician and founding member of the Eagles, provides insight into the intense and tumultuous period he experienced during the final years of his time with the band. The quote reflects Frey's acknowledgment of the excessive drinking and drug use that characterized this period, as well as the impact it had on his personal life and relationships, particularly with his parents.
During the late 1970s, the Eagles were at the peak of their commercial success, with hit albums such as "Hotel California" and "The Long Run" dominating the charts. Despite their professional accomplishments, the band's internal dynamics were strained by interpersonal conflicts, substance abuse, and the pressures of fame and success. Frey's reference to "intense times" hints at the chaotic and challenging atmosphere within the band during this period.
The mention of "a lot of drinking" and "getting high a lot" sheds light on the prevalent substance abuse within the Eagles during the final years of Frey's tenure with the band. This period was notorious for its excessive partying and indulgence in drugs and alcohol, a lifestyle that took a toll on the band members both personally and professionally. The quote suggests that this lifestyle was not sustainable, and Frey's acknowledgment of it indicates a sense of reflection and recognition of the negative impact it had on him and his bandmates.
Frey's mention of his parents' relief when he got off the "Eagles treadmill" underscores the personal toll that this lifestyle took on him and his relationships. It suggests that his parents were concerned about the detrimental effects of his involvement with the band and the lifestyle it entailed. This insight adds a layer of personal struggle and familial concern to the broader narrative of the Eagles' history during this period.
Overall, this quote offers a glimpse into the challenges and personal turmoil that accompanied the Eagles' success, particularly during the later years of Frey's involvement with the band. It speaks to the intense pressures of fame, the destructive impact of substance abuse, and the toll it took on relationships, both within the band and with family members. Frey's candid reflection on this tumultuous period provides a deeper understanding of the complexities and difficulties that often accompany the rock and roll lifestyle, and the personal consequences that can result from it.