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Eagles (band)

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Eagles
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1971 in Los Angeles, California, United States
FounderGlenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon, Randy Meisner
Headquarters
Los Angeles
,
United States
ProductsMusic albums, singles, live performances
Websiteeagles.com

Overview

The Eagles are a prominent American rock ensemble that originated in Los Angeles in 1971. They achieved remarkable success throughout the 1970s, boasting five chart-topping singles, six albums reaching number one, six Grammy Award wins, and five American Music Award honors. Globally, their record sales have surpassed 200 million copies, with 100 million sold within the United States alone. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998 and was ranked 75th on Rolling Stone’s 2010 compilation of the "Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Artists of All Time."

Formation and Early Years

The group was established by Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon, and Randy Meisner, each having previously collaborated with Linda Ronstadt. They signed with David Geffen’s Asylum Records to form the Eagles. Their initial release, Eagles (1972), included US top-20 singles such as "Take It Easy" and "Witchy Woman." Although their second album, Desperado, peaked at number 41 on the charts, it later gained enduring acclaim. In 1974, guitarist Don Felder became a member; their album On the Border featured the top-40 single "Already Gone" and delivered their first US number-one track, "Best of My Love." The following year’s release, One of These Nights, marked their first album to reach number one in the US, including hits like "One of These Nights," "Lyin' Eyes," and "Take It to the Limit." That same year, Bernie Leadon was succeeded by guitarist and vocalist Joe Walsh.

Commercial Peak and Legacy

The compilation Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) (1976) remains the highest-selling album in US history with sales totaling 38 million copies. This achievement paved the way for Hotel California (1976), which has sold over 26 million copies domestically—ranking third all-time—and more than 32 million worldwide. The album produced two number-one singles in both the US and Canada: "New Kid in Town" and "Hotel California." Notably, "Hotel California" was their sole top-10 hit in the UK and also performed strongly across Europe and New Zealand.

After replacing Meisner with Timothy B. Schmit in 1977, the band released The Long Run (1979). This album included the North American number-one single "Heartache Tonight," which also became their most successful track in Australia, along with top-10 hits such as "The Long Run" and "I Can't Tell You Why." The Eagles disbanded in 1980 but regrouped in 1994 to issue Hell Freezes Over, a blend of live performances and new studio recordings, followed by ongoing tours.

Recent Activity

In 2007, they released Long Road Out of Eden, marking their sixth album to reach number one in the US, supported by an extensive touring schedule known as the Long Road Out of Eden Tour. The band embarked on the extended History of the Eagles Tour in 2013 alongside a documentary release chronicling their career. Following Glenn Frey’s passing in January 2016, the group resumed activity in 2017 with his son Deacon Frey and country musician Vince Gill sharing lead vocals on Frey’s original songs. Deacon departed in 2022 but rejoined in 2023 for their ongoing farewell tour. Additionally, Meisner died in 2023.

1971–1973: Origins and Initial Recordings

The Eagles came into existence in early 1971 when Linda Ronstadt and her manager John Boylan enlisted Glenn Frey and Don Henley to join her ensemble. Henley had relocated from Texas to Los Angeles with his band Shiloh, while Frey, originally from Michigan, had formed Longbranch Pennywhistle. Their paths crossed in 1970 at The Troubadour in Los Angeles through their shared label, Amos Records. Randy Meisner, previously part of Ricky Nelson's Stone Canyon Band, along with Bernie Leadon, an experienced member of the Flying Burrito Brothers, joined Ronstadt's summer tour promoting the Silk Purse album.

During this tour, Frey and Henley decided to establish a band together and informed Ronstadt of their plan. Frey acknowledged Ronstadt’s role in recommending Leadon and facilitating his involvement. Meisner was also brought on board. These four musicians performed once live behind Ronstadt at Disneyland and all contributed to her self-titled album. Although JD Souther was considered for the group, Meisner opposed the idea. By September 1971, the quartet signed with Asylum Records, founded by David Geffen—who had been introduced to Frey by Jackson Browne. Geffen acquired Frey’s and Henley’s contracts from Amos Records and sent them to Aspen, Colorado for band development. Their debut performance took place in October 1971 under the name Teen King and the Emergencies at The Gallery in Aspen.

The name "Eagles" was conceived during an outing influenced by peyote and tequila in the Mojave Desert, with varying accounts: Don Felder credited Leadon with the idea inspired by Hopi respect for eagles; JD Souther recalled Frey shouting "Eagles!" upon spotting eagles overhead. Steve Martin suggested the name "the Eagles," but Frey maintains the official name is simply "Eagles." Initially managed by Geffen and Elliot Roberts, management later transitioned to Irving Azoff during the recording of their third album.

Their debut album, Eagles, was recorded in England in February 1972 under producer Glyn Johns, who crafted their signature harmony-rich country-rock sound. Released on June 1, 1972, it achieved significant success with three singles reaching the Top 40. The lead single "Take It Easy," co-written by Frey and Jackson Browne, climbed to number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. Subsequent singles "Witchy Woman" and "Peaceful Easy Feeling" reached numbers 9 and 22 respectively. The band toured supporting Yes during their Close to the Edge Tour.

Their sophomore album, Desperado, which used Old West outlaws as a metaphor for rock stars, highlighted Henley and Frey’s growing role as primary songwriters; they co-authored eight out of eleven tracks including notable songs like "Tequila Sunrise" and "Desperado." The album peaked at number 41 on the Billboard 200 chart, with singles "Tequila Sunrise" (No. 61) and "Outlaw Man" (No. 59). This album solidified Henley and Frey's leadership within the band, surpassing earlier expectations that Leadon and Meisner would hold greater influence.

1973–1975: On the Border and One of These Nights

For their third album, On the Border, Henley and Frey aimed to transition from a country rock style toward a more robust rock sound. Initially working again with producer Glyn Johns, known for his lush production approach, they replaced him with Bill Szymczyk after completing two tracks. Szymczyk sought a guitarist with a harder edge for "Good Day in Hell," leading to the addition of Don Felder, an accomplished guitarist nicknamed "Fingers," who became the fifth member of Eagles in early 1974. Felder contributed slide guitar on "Good Day in Hell" and shared guitar duties with Frey on the upbeat single "Already Gone", which reached number 32 on the charts. On the Border yielded Eagles’ first number one single on the Billboard charts: "Best of My Love," which topped rankings on March 1, 1975. The album also included a cover of Tom Waits' "Ol' '55" and featured "James Dean", which peaked at number 77.

The group appeared at the prominent California Jam festival in April 1974 before an audience exceeding 300,000 attendees and a broad television viewership via ABC. Don Felder missed this event due to his son's birth; Jackson Browne filled in playing piano and guitar.

Released on June 10, 1975, One of These Nights marked a major breakthrough into global fame for Eagles and was the first in a series of four consecutive albums reaching number one. Songwriting was dominated by Henley and Frey; the title track became their second chart-topping hit—Frey’s personal favorite among Eagles songs. The follow-up single "Lyin' Eyes" peaked at number two and earned them their first Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. The final single from this album, "Take It to the Limit", co-written by Meisner alongside Henley and Frey, featured Meisner as lead vocalist—the only Eagles single to do so—and reached number four on the charts. Supporting this release, Eagles embarked on an extensive international tour; additionally, One of These Nights received a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year. They appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine dated September 25, 1975, and performed alongside Linda Ronstadt and other artists before an audience of 55,000 at Anaheim Stadium.

This album was Bernie Leadon's final contribution as a founding member. He composed three songs including "I Wish You Peace," co-written with Patti Davis (daughter of then-California governor Ronald Reagan), as well as the instrumental piece "Journey of the Sorcerer," which later became theme music for the BBC's adaptation of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Leadon grew increasingly frustrated by the band's move away from country influences toward rock as well as his reduced creative input. Conflicts escalated when Leadon poured beer over Frey's head during an intense argument about musical direction. After months of speculation, Leadon's departure was officially confirmed in December 1975.

1975–1978: Breakthrough with Hotel California

In 1975, guitarist and vocalist Joe Walsh, known for his previous work with James Gang and Barnstorm, joined the Eagles, taking over from Bernie Leadon. Under the management of Azoff and production by Szymczyk, Walsh's energetic and unconventional approach initially sparked doubts about his compatibility with the group, particularly from Henley. Alongside Felder, Walsh helped transition the Eagles away from their original country-rock roots toward a more intricate rock sound; Felder also assumed Leadon's instrumental responsibilities during live performances.[1]

The Eagles released their initial compilation album, Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975), in early 1976. This collection became the best-selling album of the entire 20th century in the United States, moving 38 million units domestically and totaling 42 million copies worldwide.[2] It maintained its position as the top-selling album until Michael Jackson's Thriller surpassed it in 2009.[3]

December 8, 1976, marked the release of Hotel California, their fifth studio record and first to feature Walsh. The production spanned eighteen months, during which recording and touring pressures tested the band's cohesion. The album’s lead single, "New Kid in Town", climbed to number one on the charts.

The iconic title track "Hotel California" reached number one in May 1977 and emerged as the band’s defining song. Henley provided lead vocals while Felder and Walsh performed a memorable guitar duet. Written collaboratively by Felder, Henley, and Frey, its lyrics delve into themes revealing the darker facets of American prosperity and indulgence.[4][5]

Walsh’s presence was further cemented by the hard rock track "Life in the Fast Lane", which peaked at number eleven on the charts. The album concludes with "The Last Resort", a piece Frey described as "Henley's opus," though Henley himself regarded it as "fairly pedestrian."[6]

An instrumental titled "Victim of Love" was recorded live without any overdubbing; nevertheless, friction arose when Felder claimed he had been promised lead vocals but was ultimately replaced by Henley after unsuccessful recording attempts.[6]

Hotel California earned a spot at number thirty-seven on Rolling Stone’s list of greatest albums,[7] selling in excess of twenty-six million copies across the U.S., with global sales surpassing thirty-two million.[8][9]

At the 20th Annual Grammy Awards, the album won "Record of the Year" for "Hotel California" and "Best Arrangement for Voices" for "New Kid in Town." It topped multiple charts and was nominated for Album of the Year but lost to Fleetwood Mac's Rumours. The extensive worldwide tour that followed only intensified tensions within the band.

Hotel California marked Randy Meisner’s final contribution to the group. After an exhaustive eleven-month tour in 1977 worsened his stomach ulcers and affected his vocals during "Take It to the Limit," Meisner declined to perform an encore at a Knoxville show due to illness. This triggered backstage disputes with Frey, leading Meisner to exit mid-concert and eventually leave after completing the tour.[10][11][12][10] His replacement was Timothy B. Schmit, who had previously taken over Meisner’s role in Poco.[13]

In addition to their own projects in 1977, all members except Don Felder contributed instrumentally and provided backing vocals on Randy Newman's album Little Criminals, including participation on its popular single "Short People."

1978–1980: The Long Run and dissolution

The Eagles commenced work on The Long Run in 1978, a project that extended over eighteen months. Originally intended as a double album, it was ultimately condensed due to a shortage of suitable material. Released on September 24, 1979, the record, while regarded by some critics as inferior to Hotel California, achieved remarkable commercial success, reaching the top of the charts and selling seven million units. It yielded three singles that reached the Top 10: "Heartache Tonight", which ascended to number one on the Hot 100 on November 10, 1979, alongside the title track and "I Can't Tell You Why", both peaking at number eight. The band secured their fourth Grammy Award for "Heartache Tonight". Songs such as "In the City" and "The Sad Cafe" became regular features in their live performances. Additionally, during these sessions, they recorded two holiday-themed tracks, including "Please Come Home for Christmas", which climbed to number eighteen on the charts.

Frey, Henley, and Schmit contributed backing vocals to Boz Scaggs' single "Look What You've Done to Me", which appeared in an alternate version on the Urban Cowboy soundtrack alongside the Eagles' hit "Lyin' Eyes".

On July 31, 1980, tensions reached a boiling point in Long Beach, California, during an event later nicknamed the "Long Night at Wrong Beach". A backstage confrontation between Felder and Frey escalated into open hostilities throughout their performance, with threats exchanged visibly during their set.

Despite internal conflicts, the group honored its contract with Elektra Records by releasing Eagles Live in November 1980. The album's production was split between coasts—Frey stayed in Los Angeles while other members worked in Miami. Producer Bill Szymczyk mentioned that vocal harmonies were coordinated via Federal Express due to growing estrangement among band members. Frey had departed from the band and cut ties with manager Irving Azoff. The album's liner notes ended with the phrase "Thank you and goodnight," symbolizing the fractured state of the band. The live single "Seven Bridges Road", penned by Steve Young, reached number twenty-one in 1980 and represented their final Top 40 appearance until 1994.

1980–1994: Period of inactivity

Following the Eagles’ breakup, individual members embarked on solo ventures. Their longtime label Elektra initially held rights to their solo releases. Joe Walsh enjoyed solo popularity throughout the 1970s and released There Goes the Neighborhood (1981), though subsequent albums received less acclaim. He also worked extensively as a session musician and producer for artists including Dan Fogelberg, Steve Winwood, and Ringo Starr.

Don Henley achieved considerable commercial acclaim with solo records such as I Can't Stand Still (1982), featuring "Dirty Laundry," and Building the Perfect Beast (1984), which included hits like "The Boys of Summer" and "All She Wants to Do Is Dance." His 1989 release, The End of the Innocence, also enjoyed strong sales before contractual disputes halted his solo output until the Eagles’ reunion in 1994.

Glenn Frey found success with albums like No Fun Aloud (1982) and The Allnighter (1984), generating hits such as "The One You Love" and "Sexy Girl." He also reached number two on charts with "The Heat Is On" from Beverly Hills Cop and "You Belong to the City" from Miami Vice, contributing to other prominent soundtracks including Ghostbusters II and Thelma & Louise.

Cameron Crowe—formerly a music journalist—and Eagles manager Irving Azoff co-produced the 1982 film Fast Times at Ridgemont High along with its soundtrack, which showcased solo tracks from Henley, Walsh, Schmit, and Felder. The Eagles’ song "Life in the Fast Lane" was covered within the movie.

Don Felder released a solo album and contributed songs to the Heavy Metal film soundtrack, including "Heavy Metal (Takin' a Ride)" featuring Henley and Schmit. His solo effort Airborne contained the minor hit "Bad Girls."

Timothy B. Schmit maintained an active solo career with songs like "So Much in Love" from the Fast Times at Ridgemont High soundtrack. He lent vocals to Crosby, Stills & Nash’s Daylight Again, provided backing vocals on Toto’s Toto IV, toured with Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band (1983–1985), and scored Top 40 hits from his album Timothy B. Schmit collaborated with Richard Marx and toured with Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band in 1992. He released two solo albums—Playin' It Cool (1984) and Tell Me the Truth (1990)—and was the sole Eagle featured on the 1993 tribute album Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles.

Randy Meisner charted three Top 40 singles during this period, including "Hearts on Fire" (1981).

1994–2001: Reunion and Hell Freezes Over Era

After the 1993 Eagles tribute compilation Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles, the group officially reassembled in 1994. This reunion featured the five members from the Long Run period—Frey, Henley, Walsh, Felder, and Schmit—alongside touring musicians such as Scott Crago on drums and Timothy Drury handling keyboards and guitar.

Their return was marked by the album and MTV special both named Hell Freezes Over, which launched at number one on the Billboard charts. The release included four newly recorded studio songs, with "Get Over It" and "Love Will Keep Us Alive" reaching the Top 40. In the United States alone, the album sold six million copies.

The band embarked on a tour in 1994 that was temporarily halted due to Frey’s diverticulitis but resumed until 1996. In 1998, all seven members performed together when the Eagles were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Subsequent reunion tours broke records for ticket pricing.

Performances at Las Vegas’s Mandalay Bay Events Center and Los Angeles’s Staples Center in late 1999 marked Felder’s final appearances with the band. Recordings from these concerts were included in the four-disc platinum-certified box set Selected Works: 1972–1999, released in 2000.

Touring activities continued in 2001 with Frey, Henley, Walsh, Schmit, and Steuart Smith filling Felder’s position. The lineup was supported by Michael Thompson, Will Hollis, Scott Crago, Bill Armstrong, Al Garth, Christian Mostert, and Greg Smith.

2001–2007: Legal Dispute with Don Felder

Don Felder was dismissed from the Eagles on February 6, 2001. Subsequently, he filed lawsuits against "Eagles, Ltd.", Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and others, accusing them of wrongful termination, breach of implied contract, and breach of fiduciary duty, seeking damages totaling $50 million. Felder asserted that starting with the 1994 Hell Freezes Over tour, Henley and Frey insisted on a disproportionate share of earnings—shifting from an equal five-way split to receiving triple their previous portion from Selected Works: 1972–1999 revenues.

Represented by attorney Daniel M. Petrocelli, Henley and Frey maintained they had lawful grounds to remove Felder based on creative differences and performance issues. They filed a countersuit against Felder for breach of contract related to his revealing memoir Heaven and Hell: My Life in the Eagles (1974–2001).

The Los Angeles County Superior Court merged these cases in January 2002 with a trial initially scheduled for September 2006; however, an out-of-court settlement was reached in May 2007 for an undisclosed sum.

In 2003, the Eagles issued a two-disc compilation titled The Very Best Of, encompassing their career from debut through Hell Freezes Over. The album debuted at number three on Billboard charts and earned triple platinum certification. It included a new track called "Hole in the World", inspired by the events of September 11. That same year saw Warren Zevon working on his final album The Wind, featuring contributions from Henley, Walsh, and Schmit.

On June 14, 2005, a two-DVD package titled Farewell 1 Tour-Live from Melbourne was released by the Eagles. This set featured two fresh songs: Frey's "No More Cloudy Days" and Walsh's "One Day at a Time." A special Walmart-exclusive edition in 2006 added a bonus CD containing three new tracks planned for their forthcoming studio project: "No More Cloudy Days," "Fast Company," and "Do Something."

Felder’s autobiography encountered publication obstacles; Hyperion Books withdrew its U.S. release in September 2007 after recalling all printed copies for revisions. The book was published in the United Kingdom on November 1, 2007. The American edition later appeared through John Wiley & Sons on April 28, 2008, supported by an extensive promotional campaign.

2007–2012: Long Road Out of Eden world tour and potential eighth album

By 2007, the Eagles' roster consisted of Frey, Henley, Walsh, and Schmit. On August 20 of that year, they unveiled the single "How Long", penned by JD Souther, accompanied by a video released online through Yahoo! Music and premiering on Country Music Television on August 23. Although the band had performed this track live during the 1970s, it was never recorded earlier as Souther had reserved it for his solo work. Souther had also co-authored several Eagles classics, such as "Best of My Love" and "Heartache Tonight".

The Eagles issued Long Road Out of Eden on October 30, 2007, marking their first album of entirely new songs since 1979. Initially, the album was exclusively available in the U.S. via the band's official website, Walmart, and Sam's Club, while international distribution followed conventional retail channels. Upon release, it debuted at number one across the U.S., UK, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, and Norway. This project became their third studio album—and seventh overall—to earn a minimum seven-times platinum certification from the RIAA. Henley hinted that this might serve as their final studio effort.

The group made their awards show debut on November 7, 2007, performing "How Long" at the Country Music Association Awards.

The album’s second single, "Busy Being Fabulous", was issued on January 28, 2008, climbing to number 28 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and number 12 on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart. In 2008, the Eagles secured their fifth Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for "How Long".

Supporting Long Road Out of Eden, the band embarked on a global tour beginning March 20, 2008, at The O2 Arena in London. The North American segment concluded on May 9, 2009, at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah—marking the venue’s inaugural concert event. The tour wrapped up in Europe on July 22, 2009, in Lisbon. During summer 2010, they toured North American stadiums alongside the Dixie Chicks and Keith Urban, later headlining England’s Hop Farm Festival on July 1, 2011.

In November 2010, Schmit expressed doubts about producing another album due to the demanding process behind their last release but did not dismiss the possibility entirely. Walsh hinted at one final album before retirement. In a 2012 interview, Frey discussed plans for an EP featuring both original compositions and cover tracks.

2013–2016: History of the Eagles, Glenn Frey's passing, and second hiatus

February 2013 saw the release of History of the Eagles, a documentary chronicling their career milestones. Concurrently, they launched a supporting tour titled History of the Eagles – Live in Concert, commencing with eleven arena shows across the U.S. in July. Henley described this tour—expanding internationally through July 2015—as potentially their final journey together. The lineup included former guitarist Bernie Leadon to revisit early material and illustrate their musical evolution. Walsh welcomed Leadon's return enthusiastically, anticipating it would enhance live performances. Former members Randy Meisner and Don Felder were absent; Meisner declined due to health concerns while Felder was excluded amid ongoing legal disputes despite previous settlements.

The Eagles—comprising Frey, Henley, Walsh, and Schmit—were slated to receive Kennedy Center Honors in 2015 but postponed participation until 2016 due to Frey’s health complications.

On January 18, 2016, founding member Glenn Frey passed away at age 67 from complications related to rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and pneumonia following intestinal surgery.

At the 58th Annual Grammy Awards in February 2016, the Eagles—joined by Leadon, touring guitarist Steuart Smith, and co-writer Jackson Browne—performed "Take It Easy" as a tribute to Frey’s legacy. Following this event, Henley suggested that future performances by the band were unlikely. [[File:Secretary Kerry Poses for a Photo With the 2016 Kennedy Center Honorees (31289769511).jpg|thumb|Eagles pictured at the Kennedy Center Honors]

2017–present: Resuming tours and updated lineup

Contrary to Henley's earlier remarks, the band took center stage at the Classic West and Classic East events in July 2017, which were organized by their manager Irving Azoff. The lineup expanded to include Glenn Frey's son Deacon and country artist Vince Gill. At Classic West, Bob Seger joined to perform "Heartache Tonight," a song he co-wrote. The group maintained a touring schedule across the United States that autumn.

Their sole studio track without Glenn Frey, a rendition of Dan Fogelberg's "Part of the Plan," was issued in the fall of 2017 as part of a tribute compilation. Touring recommenced in North America in March 2018 with Gill and Deacon Frey onboard, alongside Henley’s son Will on guitar. Early 2019 saw the band touring Europe and Oceania. This lineup's initial live recording was released in 2020, featuring a concert special broadcast on ESPN and the live album Live from the Forum MMXVIII.

During September and October 2019, the band performed their 1976 album Hotel California in its entirety over three Las Vegas shows, accompanied by a 46-piece orchestra and a choir of 22 voices, followed by a set of greatest hits. They announced the Hotel California 2020 Tour, planned for six cities between February and April 2020.

After completing ten performances, the tour was interrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic but resumed in North America from August through November 2021, continuing with additional U.S. and European dates into 2022. On April 6, 2022, Deacon Frey departed to focus on a solo career but has occasionally appeared as a guest with the band since.

On July 6, 2023, the Eagles revealed plans for their farewell The Long Goodbye Tour commencing September 7 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, with Deacon Frey rejoining the group. Later that month, founding bassist Randy Meisner passed away at age 77 from complications related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Henley and Leadon now stand as the only original members remaining. The band acknowledged Meisner's vital role in their early achievements.

In a 2022 interview, Timothy B. Schmit expressed skepticism about producing new recordings following Long Road Out of Eden (2007), emphasizing that audiences tend to favor classic tracks like "Best Of My Love" and "One Of These Nights."

In September 2024, the Eagles initiated a concert residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas. The initial eight performances generated $42.2 million from selling 131,000 tickets. This residency is slated to continue through November 2025.

In 2025, Steuart Smith, who had been serving as touring lead guitarist, retired due to Parkinson’s disease and was succeeded by Chris Holt.

Musical style

Drawing inspiration from 1960s rhythm and blues, soul music, bluegrass, and rock groups such as the Byrds and Buffalo Springfield, the Eagles’ sound is frequently categorized as "California rock."

Their musical approach has also been identified within genres like country rock, soft rock, and folk rock. Over time, they became associated with album-oriented rock and arena rock styles.

The band's early records blended elements of rock and roll, country, and folk music. Their third album On the Border introduced a more pronounced hard rock influence—a direction lightly explored previously. The 1975 release One of These Nights presented a mellower tone with hits including "Take It to the Limit" and "Lyin' Eyes." Following guitarist Bernie Leadon's departure—who was chiefly responsible for their country sound—the band gravitated toward a more rock-driven style on Hotel California. Their 2007 comeback effort Long Road Out of Eden incorporated influences from country rock, blues rock, and funk.

Band members

Present lineup

  • Don Henley – drums, percussion, rhythm guitar, lead and harmony vocals
  • Joe Walsh – lead and rhythm guitars, keyboards, lead and backing vocals
  • Timothy B. Schmit – bass guitar, harmonica, lead and backing vocals
  • Vince Gill – rhythm and lead guitars, lead and backing vocals
  • Deacon Frey – rhythm and lead guitars, lead and backing vocals [14][15]


Touring musicians currently with the band

  • Scott F. Crago – percussion, drums
  • Will Hollis – synthesizers, keyboards, percussion, backing vocals
  • Michael Thompson – piano, keyboards, accordion, backing vocals
  • Chris Holt – lead and rhythm guitars, backing vocals [16]


Past members

  • Glenn Frey – keyboards, harmonica, rhythm and lead guitars, lead and backing vocals
  • Bernie Leadon – banjo, mandolin, pedal steel guitar, dobro, rhythm and lead guitars, backing and lead vocals
  • Randy Meisner – bass guitar, guitarron, rhythm guitar, lead and backing vocals
  • Don Felder – organ, banjo, mandolin, pedal steel guitar, rhythm and lead guitars, backing and lead vocals


Former touring personnel

  • Joe Vitale – percussion, drums, keyboards, backing vocals
  • John Corey – percussion, piano, rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Timothy Drury – additional guitars, keyboards, vocals
  • Al Garth – trumpet, saxophone, violin, percussion
  • Steuart Smith – mandolin, lead and rhythm guitars, backing vocals
  • Bill Armstrong – trumpet
  • Chris Mostert – alto saxophone, tenor saxophone
  • Greg Smith – baritone saxophone
  • Les Lovitt – trumpet
  • Richard F. W. Davis – keyboards, percussion, backing vocals
  • Will Henley – rhythm guitar


Discography

Studio albums

Awards and honors

Grammy Awards

The band has earned 18 Grammy Award nominations, securing six wins.

|- |1973 || Eagles || Best New Artist || |- |rowspan="3"|1976 ||rowspan="2"|"Lyin' Eyes" || Record of the Year || |- |Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals || |- |One of These Nights ||rowspan="2"|Album of the Year || |- |rowspan="4"|1978 ||rowspan="2"|Hotel California || |- |Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals || |- |"Hotel California" || Record of the Year || |- |"New Kid in Town" || Best Vocal Arrangement for Two or More Voices || |- |1980 || "Heartache Tonight" ||rowspan="2"|Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal || |- |rowspan="3"|1996 || "Hotel California" (Hell Freezes Over version) || |- |"Love Will Keep Us Alive" || Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals || |- |Hell Freezes Over || Best Pop Vocal Album || |- |2004 || "Hole in the World" || Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals || |- |2008 || "How Long" || Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal || |- |rowspan="4"|2009 || Long Road Out of Eden || Best Pop Vocal Album || |- |"I Dreamed There Was No War" || Best Pop Instrumental Performance || |- |"Long Road Out of Eden" || Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal || |- |"Waiting in the Weeds" || Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals ||

See also

Sources


External links

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  13. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  14. ↑ Parkel, Inga. "The Eagles announce final farewell tour after 'miraculous 52-year odyssey'." The Independent, 2023-07-07.
  15. ↑ Haward, Jenny. "The Eagles Announce 'The Long Goodbye' Final Tour: 'The Time Has Come to Close the Circle'." Peoplemag, 2023-07-06.
  16. ↑ Rapp, Allison. "Eagles Lineup Changes After Guitarist's Parkinsonism Diagnosis." Ultimate Classic Rock, 2025-01-23.
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