40 Years Ago, an NYC Gunman Had One Request: ‘Desperado’

New York Post ^ | March 19, 2020 | Reed Tucker

[nickcarraway]

Just before 2 p.m., “Desperado” hit WPLJ’s airwaves, with Fink introducing it by saying, “This is ‘Desperado’ for the desperate trucker.” When Rivera, still barricaded in Manne’s office, heard the first few lines — “Desperado, why don’t you come to your senses? You been out riding fences for so long now” — he burst into tears.

Rivera called police to the door and said, “I’m going to give you the gun.” He handed Manne his pistol and said, “You can go now.”

She was wheeled out of the building on a stretcher and taken to a hospital for observation.

[nickcarraway]

It was hard to find an excerpt for this one.

I think WPLJ just went out of business.

[nickcarraway]

Do you remember this?

[UnwashedPeasant]

Eagles or Linda Ronstadt?

Sounds like the D.J. picked the right one.

[nickcarraway]

Some of the Eagles played on the Ronstadt version.

[Larry Lucido]

[cherry]

that is quite the story...thx for posting in these “desperate” times....

[nickcarraway]

Seriously

[Beowulf9]

Browne’s version is beautiful.

[nickcarraway]

It’s nice to read a story like this without a tragic ending.

[tinyowl]

That song made me keep attempting to find a woman to marry even though I always loved chasing a woman but always wanted out as soon as I was in (I guess you could take that in a couple of ways ... heh ...). But 5 times a found great women and then didn't want to get married when it got to time to fish or cut bait. Actually if I look back, I wanted out in my heart long before fish/cut-bait time. But this DAMN SONG made me think I better stop riding fences, better find someone to love me.

Eventually I realized it was a great song and everything, a very beautiful song! (I V7/IV IV IV-) but I was at peace remaining a desperado.

I broke that song!

[be-baw]

Eagles’ version was good, Ronstadt’s exceptional.

[Oshkalaboomboom]

I think WPLJ just went out of business.

White Port Lemon Juice

[a fool in paradise]

The Langley Schools Music Project - Desperado (Official)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9F-no5av-s

[Beowulf9]

I always thought it was Jackson Browne singing the song but was told no, it was not. Did he ever sing it? Who was the singer with the Eagles singing it?

[nickcarraway]

Don Henley on lead.

[Beowulf9]

But is he the singer?

[Beowulf9]

I just read ‘lead singer’ I always think of lead as ‘lead guitar’.

So, I guess it was Henley.

[nickcarraway]

Yes, lead vocals. And drums. Glen Frey, Bernie Leadon, and Randy Meisner on backup.

[Beowulf9]

Thanks :)