The Eagles are (l-r): Glenn Frey, Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmit, Don Henley. Photo by Andrew Macpherson.
Photo: Andrew Macpherson
February 19, 2008 - The Eagles claimed a Grammy award nine days ago in the country genre, but a song from their classic-rock past got the band embroiled this month in North Carolina politics.
State Treasurer Richard Moore is campaigning for the Democratic nomination for governor against Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue, and a TV commercial he paid for caught the attention of Eagles founder Don Henley. Moore attacked Perdue in the ad for backing a $120-million bridge in a part of the state where traffic is light, while the state's major cities are sometimes gridlocked. The ad showed images of traffic jams and played the Eagles' "Life In The Fast Lane" in the background.
According to The Charlotte Observer, The Eagles' management found out about the ad and — since it is illegal to use unauthorized music in a video — demanded that the music be removed. In addition, Don and his wife, Sharon, each donated $4,000 — the maximum amount they were legally allowed to give — to Perdue, the candidate Moore opposes.
Moore called a press conference on Friday in which he indicated his team had made a mistake.