No 'Heartache Tonight' At Eagles Tribute Band Performance

Even as the rain poured down on a murky Friday night and forced audience members indoors to the recreation center at , the Eagles Tribute Band Desert Highway still put on a fast-paced and wildly entertaining show for the ’s first concert in their series.

Desert Highway, played hit songs such as “Lyin’ Eyes,” “Take it Easy,” “Desperado,” “Life in the Fast Lane,” “Already Gone,” “The Long Run,” and more.

“We’ve never seen them before, but one of the other guys is in another band that we follow and we knew he was phenomenal so he probably had to be with other phenomenal musicians,” said big-time Eagles fan Cathie Zito who sat in the front row with her friend Linda Spagnola.   

That “other guy” Zito was referring to was guitarist and vocalist Mike Green, who plays along with lead vocalist Joe Salucci, guitarists Edgar Betancourt, Rich Naso and Carl Bova, drummer Bob Myers and keyboard player Keith Hill.  All do backup vocals as well.

“[We’ve been doing this] four years total, two years with the lineup exactly with these two guitarists,” lead vocalist Joe Salucci said. “We changed guitarists about mid-way and I’m so happy we did, we love these guys.”

Throughout the two-hour concert feet were stomping, heads bopping and a few guys were even playing air-guitar (one on his umbrella!). It was an event that pleased both the eyes and ears of all ages — from older folks singing along and tapping their canes to younger children swaying to the beat and dancing in the corner of the room.

 “I’m actually not [an Eagles fan] believe it or not; I’m a big Desert Highway fan, but I guess I am an Eagles fan, but I never really knew it until I started seeing these guys,” said Michael Garone, who is also the cousin of guitarist Rich Naso.

Salucci explained how the band got together and said, “Basically Bobby, the drummer, was just thinking about it and he realized that there were no groups on Long Island that are an Eagles Tribute Band, so it was more a challenge because it was so difficult with all the harmonies and what it would take to sound much like a concert."

After six months of just doing vocals, the band worked on the instrumentation and got “addicted to playing." Now, they are playing as much as they can and love entertaining an audience.

“They are very close [to the actual Eagles]," both Zito and Spagnola agreed.

Zito said, “We love music so we’ve run the gamut and they’re unbelievable. I think the Eagles would be very proud."

“It was absolutely great, I would come back to see these guys again, Spagnola said.

Desert Highway plays in mostly outdoor summer concerts all over New York, such as at Jones Beach Theatre, Merrick Road park, Eisenhower Park and Dix Hills Performing Arts Center.  

“I just like the idea that we’re right in the realm — right in there — of sounding like the Eagles,” Salucci said. “It’s just a great feeling, a good accomplishment.”

To see where Desert Highway is playing next, visit the band’s website at www.deserthighwayband.com. 

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