Eagles were one of the most successful American rock bands of the 1970’s. The group recorded a number of hit songs throughout the 1970’s that featured a distinctive country sound and catchy melodies and lyrics.
The Eagles were formed in 1971 by guitarist Glenn Frey (1948-2016), drummer Don Henley (1947-…), guitarist Bernie Leadon (1947-…), and bass player Randy Meisner (1946-2023). The band added guitarist Don Felder (1947-…) in 1974. Joe Walsh (1947-…) replaced Leaden in 1975, and Timothy B. Schmit (1947-…) replaced Meisner in 1977.
Henley and Frey wrote most of the band’s songs. The Eagles’ album Hotel California (1976) sold more than 16 million copies. The band’s hit singles included “Take It Easy” (1972), “Witchy Woman” (1972), “Best of My Love” (1974), “One of These Nights” (1975), “Lyin’ Eyes” (1975), “Take It to the Limit” (1975), “New Kid in Town” (1976), “Life in the Fast Lane” (1976), “Hotel California” (1976), “Heartache Tonight” (1979), and “Seven Bridges Road” (1980).
The Eagles unofficially broke up in 1981. The members of the group all pursued individual careers in music, with Henley becoming the most successful. The band reunited to tour at times from the middle 1990’s through the early 2000’s. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. The Eagles released Long Road Out of Eden in 2007, their first studio album in 28 years. The Eagles became Kennedy Center Honorees in 2016. Glenn Frey died in 2016, and Randy Meisner died in 2023.
