Eagles soar for Salazar
by Maggie McMahon
The Metropolitan
Matthew D. Jonas / The Metropolitan
Leo Kottke performs Tuesday, Sept. 28 at the Fillmore Auditorium in a
benefit show for Democratic Senate candidate Ken Salazar. Tickets for
the event ranged from $100 for standing room only to $1000 for up-front
reserved seating. Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Timothy B. Schmit and Big Head
Todd and the Monsters were also scheduled to perform.
It was an opportunity to support Democratic Senate candidate Ken Salazar,
hear the Eagles, and hang out at a giant cocktail party.
About 400 people paid $1000 each for a seat at the fund-raiser for Salazar
Sept. 28 at the Fillmore Auditorium.
But many of the fans could have cared less whether or not they were contributing
to Salazar’s campaign.
Denver resident Rod Steele said he didn’t know whether he would
support Salazar for Senate and he was not influenced by the political
nature of the event when he purchased tickets.
“I wanted to see the Eagles,” said Lizette Stuben, who attended
the concert because her best friend invited her.
Guitarist Leo Kottke opened to a crowd estimated at around 2000.
Big Head Todd and the Monsters, who, according to Fillmore
Auditorium general manager Robert Thomas are one of the most popular
local bands, followed Kottke. Thomas said it looked to him like a capacity
crowd of 3400.
“We’re here tonight to celebrate. I ask each and every one
of you to make sure that Colorado has won once again,” Salazar said
as he introduced Don Henley shortly after 9 p.m.
Keeping to his promise to deliver a high entertainment-value event rather
than a political message, Henley dedicated his first song “Dirty
Laundry” to Fox network owner Rupert Murdoch, and otherwise avoided
political speeches.
Salazar and Henley both know the value of working the crowd and playing
the game of politics.
“Rock stars and political candidates are very similar,” Thomas
said. “At the end of the day, Don Henley is shaking hands just like
Ken Salazar. They are both working for their fans.”
Henley and five band members played a 40-minute set before Glenn Frey
and Timothy B. Schmit came onstage and launched into familiar Eagles hits
including “Take It to the Limit,” “Life in the Fast
Lane,” “Hotel California” and the wistful “Love
Will Keep Us Alive.”
Some fans were more definite in their support for or against Salazar.
Aspen resident Mark Hesselschwerdt came because he is an Eagles fan and
because he supports Salazar.
“There shouldn’t be any question between Pete Coors and Ken
Salazar,” he said.
Fillmore staff members serving the VIPs were required to wear Salazar
T-shirts.
Bartender Ted Witkowski said he did not object to wearing political uniform
as part of the job.
“None of us make enough money here to be Republicans,” he
said.
Some fans disregarded the political message of the concert and attended
simply to hear the music.
“I’m a staunch Republican and I’m here for the music,”
said David Ross, tools distributor and Denver resident. “In fact,
I’m going to call in to Rush Limbaugh tomorrow and tell him how
the Democrats, in spite of having Leo Kottke and the Eagles, were only
able to half-fill the Fillmore,” he added.
As for the high-ticket price, Ross was unfazed. “I’ve paid
$70 to see the Eagles at Red Rocks before, so $50 or $100 to see the Eagles
is no big deal,” Ross said. “But we Republicans tend to throw
our money around.”
-Metropolitan staff writer Dana J. Parker contributed to this article.
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