For decades, the Eagles hated each other. They wouldn’t even ride to the shows in the same limo. But they also knew they were better together than separately. And they respected what each brought to the band. They, like a multi-personality morning show, are codependent. Winning morning shows doesn’t mean being best friends, spending holidays together, and being godparents to each other’s kids. Some can’t stand even to have lunch together. A well-cast radio show probably won’t be besties in real life.
The morning show at a client station broke up. It was a shame because the show was quite good together. However, internal issues that had nothing to do with the listener’s response caused a breakup. The team couldn’t figure out how to work together. I explained that strong radio personalities on a team show are codependent and encouraged them to find a way to coexist. It didn’t work out. They couldn’t pull it off for the benefit of the show.
All great shows with dynamic performers must overcome differences. Committing to a For The Show (FTS) attitude helps. That’s how some dysfunctional bands stay together despite personal conflicts.
Bands Are Codependent
The Eagles have been together for more than a half-century. Yes, 50 years! Can you imagine performing (mostly) the same song library night after night? Talk about a grind. It’s easy to assume that a group that has worked this closely for this long would be great friends. But what if the band members don’t get along?
Like The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, and dozens of other legendary bands, The Eagles have had more than their share of problems.
The band released its first album in Southern California in the early 1970s. Their peak years were between 1973 and 1982. Classic songs like One Of These Nights and Hotel California are staples on many stations today. The band continues performing in sold-out arenas, commanding over $1 million a night.
But here’s what many don’t know. They wouldn’t speak to each other for most of their history outside of performances. They hated each other. The Eagles are smart enough to recognize they are much stronger together than individually. None of the solo projects from Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Joe Walsh, and Timothy B. Schmidt has been as successful as the band’s albums.
The Eagles had to find a way to put aside differences and perform together.
The Circle of Fear
Each band member agreed to commit to one another for the benefit of the group. This was hard work, so they added a couple of rules:
No drama. They don’t have to like each other, but they do have to keep personal problems from being a problem. This is similar to the concept of creating a Disneyland approach.
The Circle: Band members also committed to participating in The Circle of Fear each night before the show.
Each night, the band meets to review the details of that specific show. They’ve played the same songs together thousands of times, but they recognize that each show is a new performance, and this is the night that many fans are seeing them for the first time.
The band spends 30-60 minutes reviewing details, including the city, venue, day, and date. Then, they review changes in the setlist and discuss any new ideas any band member wants to suggest.
This is a professional approach. They learned to “fake it” by setting aside problems and personal feelings. They get into a performance “zone”.
Conclusion
The Eagles are more terrified of disappointing fans than carrying out a personal vendetta. Every team show will have personal issues, some more serious than others. Great shows work through problems. A manager or coach can help sort it out, but each cast member has to be committed to the process that leads to success.
My client couldn’t keep their show together, which is sad because each individual fails when a show doesn’t succeed. Commit to the show and one another, no matter how distasteful or difficult that may be. Start with your Circle Of Fear. Insist on a rule to meet at least 30 minutes before the show begins each day. An hour is better. Review the show prep run sheet. Play some improv games to get on the same page and start working together.
Do whatever it takes so your Circle Of Fear works for your show.
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