Rock Titans
Ladies and gentlemen, rock 'n' roll fans
alike, this is what you have all been waiting for—the closing weekend of the
2026 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
We were recently
treated to performances by two living legends: Stevie Nicks and Rod Stewart. If
you think it's about to go downhill after that, then in the words of the
immortal Judas Priest, "You've got another thing coming."
Two very different
rock bands are hitting the Fair Grounds. One consists of one of the greatest
collections of musicians and songwriters in popular music history, and the
other is two guys who just know how to rock. Are you ready?
On Friday, May 1, the
Black Keys will bring their signature raw, blues-driven energy to Jazz Fest
as an official leg of their "Peaches 'n Kream" world tour. Formed in Akron, OH,
in 2001 by guitarist/vocalist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney, the duo
quickly carved out a reputation for stripped-down, guitar-heavy rock inspired
by classic blues and garage rock infused with a punk ethos. Their early years
were marked by gritty, lo-fi recordings that earned them underground buzz, but
it wasn't until their 2010 album Brothers where they were catapulted
into mainstream success, driven by the hit single "Tighten Up."
That record won
three Grammy Awards, including Best Alternative Music Album and Best Rock
Performance by a Duo or Group. Their 2011 follow-up, El Camino, was
equally acclaimed and featured "Lonely Boy," another Grammy-winning hit that
pushed them into larger arenas and cemented their status as major figures in
modern rock music.
From blues-drenched
tracks including "Little Black Submarines" and "She's Long Gone" to arena rock
staples such as "Gold on the Ceiling," the Black Keys have drawn equally from
Muddy Waters and rock 'n' roll's classic era while also carving out a space in
mainstream rock culture, a balance that has earned them both critical acclaim
and deep fan devotion. Through the 2010s and into the present day, the band has
continued to evolve while maintaining their musical ancestry.
Turn Blue became their first album to hit number one on charts in the U.S.,
Canada, and even way "down under" in Australia. More recent releases such as Delta
Kream and Dropout Boogie showcased both their songwriting chops and
reverence for the Delta Blues, a lineage that resonates deeply within a legacy
music hub such as New Orleans.
Most importantly
for us, they aren't strangers to the Big Easy. They previously played Jazz Fest
in 2013, thrilling concert goers with their dynamic mix of bluesy grit and rock
swagger. Beyond this familiar stage, the duo has also performed in the city at
local venues as disparate as Woldenberg Park and Saturn Bar, showcasing their
affinity for our eclectic live music scene. Their past seven appearances here
thus far have signaled respect for that heritage, all the while maintaining
their signature bridge between indie rock and roots music that is celebrated
all over New Orleans.
With that being
said, it's time to kick it up a notch. Few bands have etched their names into
the American musical landscape with as much permanence as the Eagles.
Formed in Los Angeles in 1971, founders Glenn Frey (vocals/guitar) and Don
Henley (drums) actually grew out of Linda Ronstadt's backing band, soon adding
Bernie Leadon (guitar) and Randy Meisner (bass). This lineup would carve out an
identity rooted in country rock, soft melodies, and harmonically lush balladry.
Their initial sound, featuring songs such as "Take It Easy," "Witchy Woman,"
and "Peaceful Easy Feeling," helped define the early '70s country rock scene,
laying the groundwork for albums such as their self-titled debut in 1972,
Desperado in 1973, and One of These Nights in 1975.
The band's 1976
compilation, Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975), became the best-selling
album in U.S. history, a transcendent achievement that underscores their
enduring appeal. In case you missed it, that's quadruple diamond—40x
platinum—status. Who does that? The Eagles, that's who. By the time Hotel
California was released in late 1976, the Eagles were international
superstars and in desperate need of a follow-up greatest hits compilation.
Songs such as the title track and "New Kid in Town" dominated the charts, while
the album itself went on to sell tens of millions of copies worldwide,
cementing the band's reputation as rock and roll icons of the highest order.
Over the course of
their long and storied career, they have sold hundreds of millions of records,
garnered six Grammy Awards, and released countless chart-topping albums and
singles. The current lineup, featuring Henley, Joe Walsh (who replaced Leadon
in 1975), Timothy B. Schmidt (taking over for Meisner in 1977), former country
superstar Vince Gill on guitar (who has replaced Don Felder, who wrote the
music to "Hotel California," including that double lead guitar solo), and
second-generation Eagle Deacon Frey on vocals, are on the heels of a major
residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas, which lasted 58 performances. In fact,
their appearance at Jazz Fest on Saturday, May 2 is particularly noteworthy
because it marks their first performance outside of that bubble in nearly two
years. While the band is quintessentially associated with the southern
California rock scene, they do have a history in our great city. Prior
appearances in town included the famed Warehouse in 1972, the legendary "Day of
Rock & Roll" in 1980 at the Superdome, and six appearances since their 1994
reunion, including a 2012 appearance at Jazz Fest. Take heed that this is
officially a part of their "Long Goodbye" farewell tour, so don't let this
chance pass you by.
There you have it,
folks. Another Jazz fest will invariably come to a close, and we'll be
wondering who will grace the Acura and Shell Gentilly stages next year.
Hopefully, we'll get more music legends and gritty rock and rollers. Until
then, see y'all at the festival.
