Philadelphia’s shocking implosion marks a missed opportunity that will continue to haunt its football-mad city for years – yet also emphasizes just how vital Eagles music still is.
Henley and Frey created an American sound that resonated with highway dust and tequila sunrises, culminating in 1976 with Hotel California: an album which effortlessly combined country authenticity with Hollywood studio calculation.
The Eagles are a rock band from Los Angeles.
No matter their intent, The Eagles became a symbol of 1970s America – an era when Americans wanted to “chill out”. Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Randy Meisner and Joe Walsh helped cement country and soft rock into popular music during that era.
In 1975, On the Border was their debut album without Leadon and earned two top-40 hits and a number-one single: “Already Gone”. However, by 1977’s One of These Nights Frey had left and been replaced by Joe Walsh.
In 1994, The Eagles issued a best-of compilation called Hell Freezes Over and began touring regularly. Reunited again for Long Road Out of Eden – their first studio album since 28 years – as well as History of the Eagles documentary released in 2013, their current lineup consists of Walsh, Schmit and Henley along with Deacon Frey of Frey’s son Deacon as well as Vince Gill from country band Alabama covering some of his vocal parts.
They are best known for their songs “Take It Easy,” “Life in the Fast Lane,” and “One of These Nights.”
Glenn Frey, Don Henley and Randy Meisner’s musical talent lies in their harmonies and songwriting expertise, contributing greatly to their band’s immense popularity. Their music captures Los Angeles with its vibrant mix of glamorous narcissism and desperate rootlessness of spirit.
Eagles reached new heights of success with One of These Nights. Considered the pinnacle of post-Byrds Southern California rock music, it showcased their ability to blend various musical influences together into an innovative new sound.
The album was recorded at two different studios – Criteria in Miami and the Record Plant in Los Angeles. Producer Bill Szymczyk preferred lusher music from The Eagles on this record; to give more hard rock sounding elements he requested guitarist Don Felder be brought in, whom they met backstage during a concert in Boston and jammed together backstage; Felder would later join the group formally in 1974.
They have sold more than 100 million records.
Even though The Eagles often receive harsh criticism from critics and “cool kids,” they remain one of rock music’s biggest bands. Two of their albums — Greatest Hits 1971 – 75 and Hotel California — rank among America’s three best-selling albums.
Hard to imagine any other band can top this achievement; certainly not The Beatles, Led Zeppelin or Michael Jackson (who ranks second with Thriller).
Greatest Hits was an extraordinary success story when released in 1976; selling over 38 million units and giving their earlier studio albums an unprecedented sales boost to set new records for record sales figures.
Eagles albums like Desperado, Long Road Out of Eden and On the Border have sold an astounding 17 million units since their initial release – which speaks to their widespread appeal and incredible sales figures. It seems unlikely that this runaway success will ever stop!
They have won five Grammy Awards.
The Eagles have won five Grammy Awards, including Record and Album of the Year honors for “Life in the Fast Lane” and “Hotel California,” as well as six Golden Globes and three American Music Awards – induction into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is another feat achieved.
Desperado marked their 1972 debut album with its easygoing grooves, as well as later studio work that would showcase emotional swings transcending both country music and rock genres. While Henley and Frey were heavily influenced by country singers, their collective music eventually created its own blend of traditional and modern sounds that is timeless today.
Over time, The Eagles lineup would change drastically; original members Frey and Leadon would eventually be joined by guitarist Randy Meisner and drummer Don Henley before Henley and Meisner were eventually replaced with bassist Timothy B Schmit, previously associated with Poco and Rick Nelson’s Stone Canyon Band before becoming part of The Eagles in 1977.
