FORMED: 1971, Los Angeles, CA DISBANDED: 1982
1971 in California, Don Henley and Glenn Frey meet as members of Linda Ronstadt's band. They realize they have a mutual goal - the formation of their own band - which is realized when teamed with Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner by Ronstadt's manager, John Boylan, as a projected backup band. Instead, the Eagles are formed.
Signed by Asylum Records, the Eagles travel to London to record with producer Glyn Johns. Their debut album is released in 1972 titled Eagles. The first single "Take It Easy" earned them instant national recognition. Another single, "Witchy Woman" hits #9 on the charts and the Eagles tour through the end of the year.
Their follow -up album is also recorded in London; however, halfway through recording the Eagles want a more rock-oriented sound and move recordings to California with producer Bill Szymczyk. The album Desperado is released in 1973 and evolves into what becomes the group's hallmark of storyteller writing.
While recording their next album, Don Felder is called in for guitar work. When the album is released Felder is made a member of the band. On The Border is released in 1974. The single "Best of My Love" hits #1 on the adult contemporary charts, placing them as a favorite among listeners. This also gives the Eagles' their first gold single record as well as multiple Grammy nominations.
In 1975, the Eagles are ready to release their fourth album One of These Nights. The title track "One of These Nights," a rhythm and blues song, is released early and the album is gold certified within a week of its release. By years end, Bernie Leadon departs from the band and is replaced by Joe Walsh.
By 1976, the band's success is still growing. Asylum releases Eagles: Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 and sells over a million copies upon its release, earning the first RIAA platinum award given in that category. This album is also the third in history to sell at the million-unit mark upon release. This same year, the band is awarded its first Grammy for the single "Lyin Eyes."
At years end, the new incarnation of the group releases their next album Hotel California, receiving outstanding commercial and critical success and reaching #1 on the Billboard Charts and goes gold. At that point, Hotel California sells nine million units, which surpasses the seven million units of Eagles: Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975. The following year is spent touring the US, Canada, England, Scotland, Europe, and Scandinavia. In August, Randy Meisner leaves the band and is replaced by Timothy B. Schmit.
1978 proves to be a successful year for the band. The Eagles receive two Grammy awards: Best Vocal Arrangement for "New Kid In Town" and Record of the Year for Hotel California. The band spends that year recording The Long Run. During recording breaks for this album, the Eagles release "Please Come Home for Christmas" and "Funky New Year." The single became the first Christmas record to break into the top 20 on national music charts in over 20 years.
The band was falling apart; however, they fulfilled promises of a long awaited Japanese tour with a stop in Hawaii. The Long Run is released and reaches #1 on the Billboard Charts. The Eagles do an extensive tour of the United States. No official announcements are made about the band until after the release of the 1981 album Eagles Live. This album reaches #6 on the charts. Even with all the success, the Eagles decide to go their own directions and declare that they would not get back together until hell froze over.
After a 14-year "vacation" the Eagles returned for an MTV special. This live recording became the bands' 1994 release quintessentially titled Hell Freezes Over, which reaches #1 on the Billboard Charts. During the next two years, the band tours, breaking all kinds of sales and attendance records proving to be the most successful tours in music history. Hell Freezes Over went on to sell over 15 million copies. In 1998, the Eagles were inducted into the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame.
1999, the new millennium was arriving and the Eagles decided to play a New Year's Eve show opening the new Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Later that year a four CD box set Eagles Selected Works 1972-1999 is released which includes highlights from that New Year's Eve show as well as hit songs throughout the bands' career.
The band now consisting of Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Joe Walsh, and Timothy B. Schmit, toured Europe in the summer of 2001. The Eagles, in their third decade of entertaining fans around the world have amazing longevity that has lasted the test of time. They are currently in the studio recording their next album.
