Started: 1971
City and Country of Origin: Los Angeles, CA
Music Training:
Awards: inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998
Top Recordings: "Take It Easy," "Witchy Woman," "Desperado," ""Best of My Love," "One of These Nights," "Lyin' Eyes"
The Eagles Biography: The group drew much of its membership from Linda Ronstadt's backing musicians. The group was composed of Bernie Leadon (born July 19, 1947, Minneapolis, Minn; guitar, vocals) boasted the most prodigious pedigree, having embraced traditional country music with the Scottsville Squirrel Barkers, before gaining significant rock experience as a member of Hearts and Flowers, Dillard and Clark and the Flying Burrito Brothers. Randy Meisner (born March 8, 1947, Scottsbluff, Neb.; bass, vocals) was formerly of Poco and Rick Nelson's Stone Canyon Band; Glenn Frey (born Nov. 6, 1948, Detroit, Mich.; guitar, vocals) had recorded as half of Longbranch Pennywhistle. Don Henley (born July 22, 1947, Gilmer, Texas; drums, vocals). This musical background brought immediate interest and the group signed a contract with David Geffen's Asylum Records label. Their first album The Eagles contained the singles "Take It Easy" and "Witchy Woman." Both recordings reached the top 20 and established The Eagles smooth country-rock sound. They followed with the critically acclaimed Desparado which contained the title cut. They followed with On The Border which contained the groups first number 1 track "Best of My Love." After Don Felder (born Sept. 21, 1947, Topanga, Calif.; guitar, vocals), joined making The Eagles a quintet they released One of These Nights whose title track also topped the charts. The album also contained the Western sound of "Lyin' Eyes" and the anthemic "Take It to the Limit." Leadon left the group and was replaced by Joe Walsh (born Nov. 20, 1947, Wichita, Kan.). The new organized Eagles hit the top of the charts with Hotel California, including the number 1 single "New Kid in Town." After a Christmas album, which was their lone offering for 1978, entitled "Please Come Home for Christmas" the group began to experience internal friction leading to Meisner's departure. He was replaced by Timothy B. Schmit (born Oct. 30, 1947, Sacramento, Calif.). By this time the groups popularity was beginning to wane. Their next offering The Long Run was considered disappointing even if it contained yet another number 1 chart topper "Heartache Tonight." In 1982 a temporary hiatus due to internal bickering became a full fledged breakup. Henley, Frey and Felder pursued solo careers. The group reuntied in the mid '90s and proved that it still had the magic touch with the album Hell Freezes Over. Their 1994-95 U.S. tour was second only to the Stones in gross sales. Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 is the biggest-selling album of all time.

Music by the Decade:

Sounds of the Fifties

Sounds of the Sixties

Sounds of the Seventies

Sounds of the Eighties

Sounds of the Nineties