Epic Eagles have landed in Newmarket

Epic Eagles perform live in Newmarket, ON. Photo Credit: Michael Drukarsh

By: Michael Drukarsh

Newmarket, ON - Headlining the penultimate show at Newmarket Ontario’s award winning Music Series, Epic Eagles brought a peaceful, easy feeling to the jam packed Riverwalk concert venue.

With perfect summer weather for an outdoor concert, the Epic Eagles started their set off with “One of These Nights” and it certainly was. Lead vocalist, guitarist, drummer and percussionist Dean Young delivered a perfect rendition, tambourine in hand. So good, in fact, that if you closed your eyes you would swear Don Henley was on stage.

Dean Young of Epic Eagles. Photo Credit: Michael Drukarsh

Don’t keep your eyes closed for too long though, you don’t want to miss the incredible talent that accompanies Dean on stage for this “Definitive Eagle Tribute”. The multi talented musicians who traded instruments throughout the night include fellow lead vocalist Mike Alonzo who takes over singing duties when Joe Walsh, Glenn Frey, Timothy B. Schmit, or Randy Meisner is needed. Mike also plays guitar, bass, and keyboard. Rounding out the band are Dexter Frank on guitar and backing vocals, Dan Bohemier on bass keyboard and vocals, and Jeff Salem on drums and percussion, who honestly appears to be the happiest drummer I’ve ever seen. Sitting behind his kit, Jeff did not stop smiling the entire set.

Covering all the Eagles hits you would expect, including “Witchy Woman”, “Take it Easy”, and “Lyin Eyes”, Epic Eagles also treated the capacity crowd to solo favourites from Walsh’s “Rocky Mountain Way” to Henley’s “Boys of Summer". With a wide age range, from young to young at heart, those in attendance rocked and rolled down memory lane singing along to all the hits!

Epic Eagles perform to a capacity crowd in Newmarket. Photo Credit: Michael Drukarsh

Of course, no Eagles show would be complete without two of the most well known and classic Eagles songs, “Hotel California” and “Desperado”. Both brought the crowd to their feet starting with the opening notes of “Hotel California” played by Frank on a beautiful double neck guitar and culminating in a double (triple if you count the second neck) guitar solo from Frank and Alonzo. After a brief exit from the stage, the haunting notes of Desperado filled the air to start the encore set, bringing a sea of cellphone lights from the crowd, waving in unison to this timeless song.

Finishing the encore with Walsh’s “Life’s Been Good”, Epic Eagles brought the fans to their feet and reminded everyone in attendance that despite summer coming to a close it’s best to take it easy. After all, we’re in it for the long run.

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