1. Vince Gill - Joining The Eagles
Gill reflects on why stepping into The Eagles felt like a natural fit.
Vince Gill Transcript:
If you really honestly assess the way I play and the way I sing and the kind of songs I write, it’s not a stretch. It just makes sense. It’s always made sense to me. I always felt like if I’d been older and gotten out to California earlier—not saying it could have happened, but it could have—it feels right. It’s up my alley and it’s up their alley. We’ve got a lot of history too; I’ve known some of those guys for most of my career. So that’s a pretty good deal.
2. Frankie Avalon - Almost Radar O’Reilly
Avalon reveals how close he came to landing the role of Radar on M*A*S*H*.
Frankie Avalon Transcript:
My agent called me and said they were sending a script over called M*A*S*H*. I read it and loved the character Radar, but then it just went away—there was no payoff. I told my agent, “I think it’s going to make a good film, but Radar doesn’t pay off.” He said the director improvises—Robert Altman. I said, “No, if it ain’t on the page, it ain’t on the stage,” so I didn’t do it.
3. Lionel Richie - From Commodores to “Commodes”
Richie shares the hilarious story of how the Commodores almost got a much less glamorous name.
Lionel Richie Transcript:
You are very sneaky! That’s a true story. To show how seriously we took being in the music business, we were trying to define a name. I suggested something, they suggested something—they didn’t like mine, I didn’t like theirs. We said, “Let’s just go to the dictionary and start this process.” The first couple tries were stupid, like “Wisdom” or something. Finally, we landed on “Commodore”—very close to “Comodes.” Sticking with Commodore was definitely the right choice.
4. Roger McGuinn - The Story of “Eight Miles High”
Byrds frontman McGuinn talks about the creation of their iconic psychedelic anthem.
Roger McGuinn Transcript:
It’s a song that Jean Clark, David Crosby, and I wrote about our trip to England. The “eight miles high” part came from an airplane flight—even though airplanes don’t fly that high. We liked the number eight better than six, and it was a tribute to John Coltrane and Ravi Shankar. A lot of people thought it was connected to the drug scene back then—it really wasn’t. People kind of read into it what they wanted to.
5. Steve Lukather (Toto) - Next to Toto the Dog
Lukather jokes about wanting his final resting place next to the real Toto.
Steve Lukather Transcript:
Apparently, Toto the dog from The Wizard of Oz is buried there, with a tombstone. There was a plot available next to it that I’m trying to get for myself. I want to be buried next to Toto the dog! The cemetery guy said, “Oh, this would be great for the tour! You’ve got Toto the dog and Toto the guitar player.” That’s hilarious—I want to still be laughing from the grave. I get the joke.
6. Jerry Reed - When You’re Hot, You’re Hot
Reed explains the backstory behind his classic hit song.
Jerry Reed Transcript:
She sang a verse for me: “How come you got so much cookie and you ain’t rich, you ain’t good-looking?” I looked at the camera and said, “Well, honey, when you’re hot, you’re hot.” The audience fell on the floor—they didn’t know the words. Right then, the lights came on. I said, “Whoa-oh! When you’re hot, you’re hot, look out.” That’s what followed Amos Moses. I went and wrote it, and we had it out three weeks after we cut it.