The Eagles are one of the most controversial bands in rock history, being both hall of famers and legends while simultaneously being disdained by some fans and critics as “overrated or tacky.”
But the band – with new member Vince Gill joining longtime co-founder Glenn Frey – was stunning onstage in Philadelphia.
The Eagles’ History
At its height, the Order boasted more than 1,800 Aeries across North America with over 350,000 members enrolled. Members enjoyed free medical attention and weekly payments in case of sickness – benefits which existed prior to social security and medicare becoming widespread in our society.
Unfortunately, not. But with any luck, the time will come soon enough when we will all come together again in our respective corners to enjoy what the world can offer us all – in other words a full and healthy life! As The Eagles came together in 1971, members came from every region of America: singer Glenn Frey had relocated west from Texas with his band Shiloh; drummer Don Henley was an experienced rocker from Michigan; bassist Randy Meisner played bluegrass music with both Scottsville Squirrel Barkers and later with James Taylor before joining The Eagles; while keyboardist Joe Walsh had just come from The James Gang before becoming part of The Eagles. Though their backgrounds were widely disparate, the group united into a classic California band with songs that navigated both desert highways and tequila sunrises. Their songs often advocated “taking it easy,” yet during their subsequent years post-Hotel California they struggled with drug abuse issues and personal matters leading up to its inevitable disbandment in 1980.
The Eagles’ Sound
With their blend of genres, the band quickly developed their own distinct sound. Frey’s effortless vocals and Henley’s lyrics combined into an engaging artistic vision.
Co-written with Jackson Browne, this chill anthem served as the Eagles’ debut single and instantly became fan favorites for its relatable lyrics and melodic hook.
Walsh brought with him an arsenal of guitar skills and hard rock sensibility that revolutionised their sound; you can hear this influence on tracks such as Life in the Fast Lane and Heartache Tonight.
At this point in their career, The Eagles truly reached their stride. Songs like Hotel California and Lyin’ Eyes propelled them to the top of the charts and proved unstoppable; even after their break-up in 1980 they would eventually reunite to release Hell Freezes Over, an extensive double-disc compilation showcasing their greatest hits catalogue and cementing the band’s legacy.
The Eagles’ Style
Featuring a Western outlaw theme, this album showcased both Henley and his band’s storytelling abilities as well as Henley’s emotive vocals. Both “Tequila Sunrise” and the title track became top hits from this collection of work.
As multi-instrumentalist Don Felder joined, The Eagles gradually transitioned away from their country-rock style and introduced more rock elements into their music, as evidenced in songs like “New Kid in Town” and the timeless classic, “Hotel California.”
This song showcases Henley’s emotive vocals to illustrate the group’s remarkable harmony and dynamic interplay among its members. Their combination of country, folk and rock influences enabled them to craft an iconic sound that dominated music industry for decades to come.
The Eagles’ Legacy
The Eagles have returned as one of the premier touring acts worldwide since their long hiatus from performing, earning $253 million during 147 shows of History of the Eagles tour (documented by Farewell 1, Part I 2-DVD set) with sales exceeding 2 million tickets and grossing $253 million overall (Helle Freezes Over remains the second best-selling live record after Michael Jackson’s Thriller with over 30 million sales). Rhino will release Legacy box set featuring seven studio albums, three live albums, single versions / B-sides along with two brand new concert videos in November; followed in early 2019 by The Eagles In Their Prime 2-DVD box set with additional live recordings!).
