How O.C. Snared the Eagles

When the Eagles alight at Irvine Meadows for four shows in late May, they will be feathering a nest co-owned by their manager, Irvine Azoff.

But Azoff said Thursday that his partnership interest in the 15,000-capacity amphitheater is not the only reason the reunited band will be playing most of its Southern California dates in Irvine (a fifth show is booked at the Glen Helen Blockbuster Pavilion in San Bernardino County).

“It didn’t hurt that Irving Azoff is an owner of Irvine (Meadows),” Azoff said. “But there weren’t tons of options.” Azoff said the Eagles considered playing instead at such bigger venues as Anaheim Stadium, Dodger Stadium and the Rose Bowl, but they weren’t available.

“We wanted to be outdoors. Irvine was a logical place. The band loves Irvine, and it’s a great-sounding place.”

The Irvine Meadows shows are the first scheduled stops on the Eagles’ tour, their first in 14 years. Azoff said the band will play stadium concerts in the summer after concentrating on smaller venues (with the exception of a stadium performance in Phoenix) this spring.