During Jackson Browne's performance, we received word that our presence was no longer desired: Tim Pierce, a seasoned artist, performed as an opener for The Eagles at an unprecedentedly large concert - only to be kicked out mid-show.
Here's a reimagined take on the article:
Rockin' Out with a Twist: Tim Pierce's Backstage Ban from The Eagles on the Millennium's Big Night
Ah, the music biz - a wild ride of epic highs and, sometimes, unexpected lows. Take the case of guitar maestro Tim Pierce, who's not exactly a novice in the world of session greats. From megastars like MJ, Miley, and Demi, to the legendary Stevie Nicks, Shinedown, and Adam Lambert, Pierce has collaborated with an impressive roster.
And yet, on a night he'd surely hoped to remember fondly, he found himself locked out of the very party he helped heat up - or so the story goes. That night was New Year's Eve 1999, when the then-newly opened Staples Center (now Crypto.com Arena) in Los Angeles hosted the concert event of the century.
"Show biz is a crazy rollercoaster, my friend," Pierce muses in his latest YouTube video. "For that millennial New Year's Eve gangbuster, it seemed every musician and artist worth their salt had a killer gig going on. It didn't matter who they were; they were earning their stripes, baby!"
Pierce, along with seasoned session guitarist Waddy Wachtel, warmed up the crowd for a lineup that included Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, and none other than The Eagles. Tickets ranged from a mere $50 to a hefty $1,000 apiece, turning this from a humble bash into a major event.
Now, you might think that backstage access would be a given for musicians of such stature. But not so fast, says Pierce. Security was tighter than a drumskin at a Phil Collins gig, and even Don Henley, one of the Eagles' own, had a run-in.
"I heard there was a bit of a tiff," Pierce reminisces. "Some choice words exchanged, I believe. But you know how it is with these things - they get sorted out quick enough."
With a sell-out crowd filling the arena inch by inch, Pierce intended to soak in the rest of the night from the side of the stage, using his All-Access pass as a golden ticket. That is, until he encountered an unexpected hurdle.
"Halfway through the Jackson set, my wife and I headed backstage," Pierce recalls. "I was informed out of the blue that my backstage access was about to be revoked. I was shocked, man - I still can't quite wrap my head around it. They told us we'd have to skedaddle after Jackson Browne's set."
Panic set in, and Pierce began brainstorming solutions, all while battling doubts that he'd watch the historic evening unfold from the sidelines. But then, a stroke of genius: his buddy, audio engineer Dave Covelli, was the Staples Center's bigwig. Maybe he could swing them some passes?
"I gave Dave a shout, explained the situation and begged for some credentials. To my relief, he stepped up to the plate and hooked us up. Those tickets might as well have been golden tickets from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, as far as I was concerned."
With Covelli's blessing, Pierce and his wife were allowed to remain by the side of the stage, watching history unfold. But there was one more twist to come: they decided to beat the traffic and leave before the encore.
"As we were about to bolt, an LAPD officer stopped me. Even with my credentials, things were strictly off-limits after the Eagles took the stage," Pierce shares. "I had to spin a yarn to get us past him, but eventually we were granted our passage through the hallowed halls of Eaglesdom."
And there you have it - a night of music history marred by one bizarre turn of events. Pierce has spun plenty of yarns in his time, but this one's a doozy. As for the rest of his escapades, stay tuned for more of his whirlwind tales in the music world, including the story behind that infamous Bon Jovi guitar solo that lives on in legend, the journey of Kurt Cobain's game-changing tones, and the time PRS couldn't resist John Mayer's Silver Sky calling.
Meanwhile, recent developments in the Eagles camp include guitarist Steuart Smith's retirement in January due to health concerns. His replacement, Chris Holt, has shared his unconventional recruitment story and settled into his role. Strap on your seatbelts; it's always a wild ride in the world of rock 'n' roll!
- "Tim Pierce, an electric guitar virtuoso, had an unusual encounter with The Eagles backstage on the significant New Year's Eve of 1999, a night he had hoped to recall fondly."
- "Despite his collaborations with famous celebrities and being a part of pop-culture, Pierce found himself locked out of the very party he warmed up, an event that showcased music icons like The Eagles."
- "The night, with its large entertainment audience and high-value tickets, saw the merger of music, celebrities, and pop-culture, yet Tim Pierce's access was unexpectedly revoked."
- "During the event, Pierce, needing to stay connected to the music and the atmosphere, managed to secure backstage access once more, thanks to his friend and audio engineer, Dave Covelli."
- "In the whirlwind of the music world, Tim Pierce's tale is still one of the most unique, as he navigated an unforeseen backstage ban on the millennium's big night, providing an interesting twist in the history of both The Eagles and himself in the realm of music and entertainment."
