It may seem ironic that on Canada Day, Del Crary Park will sound like southern California when the original tribute to The Eagles, Hotel California, takes the stage on 8 p.m.
But there is a connection to Canada. The band — which prides itself on creating the illusion that you are listening to the actual Eagles — is based out of Toronto.
When The Eagles broke up in 1980 (they reunited in 1994), they had sold over 100 million records (including six #1 albums) and had won six Grammys. Their songs are part of the classic rock lexicon and include such hits as “Take It Easy”, “Witchy Woman”, “Desperado”, “One of These Nights”, “Lyin’ Eyes”, “Take It to the Limit”, “New Kid in Town”, “Hotel California”, “The Long Run”, “Life in the Fast Lane”, and more.
Known as “the original tribute to The Eagles”, Hotel California came together in 1986, six years after The Eagles broke up.
Although most of its members have changed over the years, Hotel California has maintained an obsessive commitment to recreating the music of The Eagles as it was originally performed, which sets them apart from the many Eagles tribute bands that came after them.
Hotel California has toured around the globe, thrilling hundreds of thousands of Eagles fans, and sharing the stage with The Doobie Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Gretchen Wilson, REO Speedwagon, and many more. The members of Hotel California have also performed in many other touring bands, such as The Guess Who, April Wine, Glass Tiger, Coney Hatch, and Foot In Cold Water.
Hotel California performing at Stage West Dinner Theatre in Mississauga
The Doobie Brothers were so impressed by their opening performance at a concert at Ohio that they said: “You guys sounded great. Loved your vocals. We’d like to invite you to sing our last song on stage with us – Listen to the Music.”
It’s no wonder The Doobie Brothers were impressed, given the talent and musical expertise of the members of Hotel California.
Mike Dimoulas, the remaining original member of Hotel California from 1986, sings and plays multiple instruments (including electric and acoustic guitar, double neck guitar, and keyboards). He’s meticulous when it comes to recreating the authentic signature guitar parts of The Eagles’ sound.
Andy Lapointe, who joined the band in 1987, plays bass and sings the tunes originally performed by Joe Walsh and Randy Meisner, such as “Take it to the Limit” and “Rocky Mountain Way”.
Drummer Dean Young, who joined the band in 2004, has toured and recorded extensively over the past 25 years. Eagles fans rave about his solid drumming and his voice, which bears an uncanny resemblance to Don Henley’s.
Although he’s the newest member of the band, Rick Spyder is a 30-year veteran of the music scene. His incredible vocal abilities and multi-instrumental skills (guitar, violin, and harmonica) are a perfect fit for The Eagles sound.
Not only does Hotel California recreate the music of The Eagles, but their stage presence exudes the easygoing warmth of the southern California sound of the 1970s. The band is all about celebrating the music and the memories, and getting the audience involved and on their feet.
So come down to Peterborough Musifest at Del Crary Park on Wednesday night and mix a bit of southern California with your Canada Day.
