The Eagles

First Steps

Glenn Frey (guitar and keyboard), Bernie Leadon (guitar, mandolin and banjo) and Randy Meisner (bassist) had been playing as a band with Linda Ronstadt until they met up with drummer Don Henley and decided to form their own band in 1971. All the band members had had individual musical experience in the past, varying from rhythm and blues to rock, so they decided to pool their experiences by creating an easy-feel rock style, similar to country rock. This was reflected in the release of their first album 'The Eagles' in 1972, which featured the songs 'Take It Easy' and 'Witchy Woman', both of which hit the Top 10, and 'Peaceful, Easy Feeling', which made it to the Top 20.

Succession And Progression

Following their first tour, the band released their second album, entitled 'Desperado', in 1973, which was based on the 'outlaw' wild west way of life. 'Tequila Sunrise' proved to be a popular number, reaching the Top 40.

After their 'Desperado' tour, they began work on their third album. Their producer at the time, Glyn Johns, was keen to carry on down the country rock style road they had been travelling up until now. However, the band had other ideas, wanting to incorporate a heavier rock feel to their music. So the band left their producer and hired Bill Szymczyk, producer of one of their tour's supporting performers, Joe Walsh. Bill introduced guitarist Don Felder to the band, who was originally intended for session work only, but once the band heard his impressive techniques, they asked him to join them full time.

With new member Don Felder, The Eagles finally released their third album 'On The Border' in March '74. In three months the album had hit the Top 10, with the most popular song being 'The Best Of My Love', which made Number 1 on the Easy Listening Charts and announced the band's presence to the world.

Hotel California

Wanting to build on their success, The Eagles went on to release 'One Of These Nights' in June of 1975, an album which brought their greatest recognition yet, hitting Number 1 the very next month. 'Lyin' Eyes' and 'Take It To The Limit' reached the Top 5. This prompted another tour, this time overseas destinations were also booked. Mid-tour, guitarist Bernie Leadon decided that the direction the band was taking music-wise was not for him, so he quit in December '75. The timing may have been awkward but the remaining Eagles managed to replace Bernie with Joe Walsh and continued on with their tour.

Touring prevented any new recordings for a while but the band released a compilation, 'Their Greatest Hits', in February of '76. That December, though, The Eagles released 'Hotel California', which was probably their best album. After only a week it reached platinum status, with the title song and 'New Kid In Town' hitting the Number 1 spot. Their continued success resulted in their world tour in 1977, after which bassist Randy Meisner decided he had had enough of the limelight. Timothy B. Schmit took over Meisner's spot and in March of 1978, the updated band began working on a new album. After almost a year and a half of work, 'The Long Run' was finally released in September of 1979, going platinum after four months. Featured songs included 'Heartache Tonight', which hit the Number 1 spot, 'I Can't Tell You Why' and 'The Long Run', both of which made it to the Top 10.

Taking It Easy

1980 saw the release of 'Eagles Live', a compilation of hits performed live at the Civic Auditorium in Santa Monica, which reached the Top 5. With the exception of another couple of greatest hits compilations, the constant quarrels between band members prompted a break-up, which lasted until 1994.

When Hell Freezes Over!

The Eagles reunited in '94 with an MTV concert recording and subsequent album release in November, 'Hell Freezes Over', entitled so because of a comment made when the band initially broke up! Despite the extended break, this album was well received, achieving platinum status and featuring another Number 1 hit with 'Love Will Keep Us Alive'.

Reunited

The Eagles' induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame saw all seven band members reunited in January of 1998. They performed in Los Angeles on the eve of the new millennium and subsequently released 'Selected Works 1972-1999' in November 2000, a 4-disc compilation of previous works plus the recorded performances in LA.

Today

After being inducted into the Vocal Group Hall Of Fame in 2001, band disagreements resulted in guitarist Don Felder's dismissal, which led to various lawsuits for rights. Since then, The Eagles have released a few singles, with their current line-up of Frey, Walsh, Schmit and Henley, accompanied by backing musicians for large performances. 2006 tour venues have already been set.

Albums

• Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975)
• Hotel California
• The Very Best Of The Eagles (2003)
• The Eagles
• Desperado
• The Very Best Of The Eagles (1994)
• One Of These Nights
• Selected Works: 1972-1999
• Greatest Hits Volume 2
• The Very Best Of The Eagles (2001)
• On The Border
• Hell Freezes Over
• The Long Run
• Eagles Live

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