• They formed in Los Angeles after converging there from four different places and going to work for another transplant: Linda Ronstadt. Don Henley (from Texas) and Glenn Frey (from Michigan) joined Ronstadt's touring band in 1971 and played on her third solo album in 1972 along with Randy Meisner (from Nebraska) and Bernie Leadon (from San Diego). With Ronstadt's blessing, they formed the Eagles in 1972 and quickly became more popular than she was. Ronstadt's career really took off in 1975; for the rest of the decade, she and the Eagles were two of the biggest American acts.
• In America, Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 is the best-selling album of all time, according to the RIAA, which certified it at 38 million units in 2018, five million ahead of Michael Jackson's Thriller.
• They were the first band to charge over $100 for arena shows. They did it on their 1994 Hell Freezes Over tour, and when fans paid the price, other acts like The Rolling Stones followed suit.
• Henley, Frey and Felder were the three official owners of the band, which existed as a corporate entity called Eagles, Ltd. Felder claims that after the band reunited in 1994, he was cut out of most of the decisions, and was fired in 2001 for asking too many questions. He sued Henley and Frey, which resulted in an out-of-court settlement they are not allowed to discuss.
• They sued the American Eagle Foundation, a charity dedicated to saving the birds, for using the domain name eagles.org and the phone number 1-800-2EAGLES. The case was dismissed when the band couldn't make court appearances.
• Their concert in 2001 was the first event ever at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. Good tickets were reselling for about $1,500.
• Frey was in a short-lived TV show called South of Sunset. It was canceled after one episode.
• Henley was in a band called Shiloh, which recorded an album produced by Kenny Rogers. Recording for the same record label was Longbranch Pennywhistle, a band featuring Frey and J.D. Souther, who would later co-write many Eagles songs.
• Leadon was in many groups before the Eagles, including Hearts and Flowers, the Dillard-Clark Expedition, and the Flying Burrito Brothers.
• Although The Eagles are usually identified with the West Coast music scene, only Schmit was born in California.
• Walsh can be seen as a prisoner in the final scene of the movie The Blues Brothers.
• When Henley married Sharon Summerall in 1995, performers at the wedding included Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Sting, Jackson Browne, John Fogerty, and Sheryl Crow.
• Bernie Leadon went on to form RUN C&W, a band that played Motown in a bluegrass Style. They released two albums. >>

  Suggestion credit:
  James - Leesville, LA
• Joe Walsh was asked to join in 1976 when Bernie Leadon left. He had previously played in the hard rock band The James Gang who had released four albums, two of which who went gold. He added a harder edge to the Eagles' sound and helped write the hits "Hotel California" and "The Long Run." >>

  Suggestion credit:
  Tim - Manassas, VA
• Meisner was in the group Poco before joining the Eagles. Poco replaced Randy with Timothy B. Schmit, who replaced Randy when he left the Eagles. >>

  Suggestion credit:
  Chuck - Tulsa, OK
• The Eagles got back together after the Country tribute album A Common Thread sold very well. Travis Tritt said he would sing a song on the album only if some members of the Eagles sang back up. After they saw how popular they still where, they reunited. >>

  Suggestion credit:
  andrew - jackson, MS
• They have never done an endorsement deal or let their music be used for commercial use.
• Dan Fogelberg is good friends with the band and opened for them for about two years.

Comments: 61

• Dodgerblu6 from Hawai’i Their precursors were the Byrds amalgamation of Country and Rock.
• Todd from Mesa,azBest band ever. Love the facts about the band.
• Mike Costlow from Hot Springs Village, ArkansasI have watched the Melborn, Australia 3 times this week, The greatest band of all time, better than the Beatles.
• Eaglesfan4ever88 from Michigan Mostly correct info besides the part regarding Joe Walsh. It's really don Felder responsible for adding an edge to the laid back sound of the eagles
• L J Cox from Colac, VictoriaI love music trivia and this is the best site to find it. A great resource, thanks.
  
• Chris from Richmond, VaGlenn Frey played a smuggler pilot on the television series Miami Vice with Don Johnson.
• Mark from Orange CountyNot endorsing???? That horrible concert in Long Beach in 1980 they were endorsing Sen. Alan Cranston. Henhouse endorses his "Walden Woods Project" Don't kid yourself. And btw, Joe Walsh is not credited for Hotel California. The composers are Felder, Henhouse, and Fried.
• Rob from TampaDan- Felder is one of my favorite guitarist and the soul of the Eagles- but didn't write lyrics for Hotel. That was Henley. Felder wrote all the music and arrangements including all 3 guitar parts and the bass at his beach house in Malibu. They came up with the lyrical storyline together and Henley wrote the words.
• Vicki from Sydney, AustraliaWill they tour here in Australia 2014?
• Ken from Louisville, KyGlenn Frey played guitar and sang backup for Linda Rondstat at the Troubador night club in LA. When she wanted to put a band together for a tour, she asked Frey who agreed and suggested she also ask a drummer he knew named Don Henley. While on tour with Linda, Frey and Henley decided to start their own band. Linda was very supportive and even suggested two musicians she knew who recently split from bands they were in - Bernie Leadon (Flying Burrito Brothers) and Randy Meisner (Poco).
• Cindy from Lakeland, FlJackson Browne wrote "Take It Easy." Glenn Frey helped him finish the second verse.
• Doug from Calgary, AbI saw the Eagles play in Hawaii in the early 70's. I seem to remember that they were actually the back-up band for someone?? Is my memory correct or was I just way too stoned?
• Glen from Cronulla, AustraliaIf you asked me why I like the Eagles ? I Cant Tell You Why ??????? Glen , Sydney.........
• Glen from Cronulla, AustraliaAnd why must we grow up so fast ! Pretty maids all in a row ! Oh the memories... Windang Caravan Park , South Coast , Sydney....
  
• John from Saugus, CaIn Hotel Californis the line: "They stab it with their steely knives but they just can't kill the beast" is a reference to Steely Dan. They shared the same manager and had a friendly rivalry. The year before, Steely Dan included the line "Turn up The Eagles, the neighbors are listening" on the song "Everything You Did."
• John from Saugus, CaTo Peanut, Pomonkey, MD it is "Warm smell of colitas, rising up through the air"
  
• Dan from 505, NmThe comment about not endorsing anything is a bit off....Timothy B. Schmidt endorsed Carvin basses for a good many ears and the white bass you see him playing is indeed a Carvin signature model.
• Peanut from Pomonkey, MdFelder came up with the lyrics for Hotel California. My favorite part is "Warren Snell of Coleetus, rising up like a bear"...
• Jerry from Los Angeles, CaThe Eagles only backed up Linda Ronstadt for one gig and that was at Disneyland in or around 1973.
• Jerry from Los Angeles, CaI saw the Eagle's in 1973 in Long Beach California, they opened for Yes and The Edgar Winter group. I still think the original band was the best line-up they have had over the year's but I am a big Don Felder fan and after reading his book "Heaven And Hell" I've really changed my opinion of Frey and Henley. He refer's to them in the book as the "Gods" because they actually thought they were because of their success. Glenn Frey even told Don Felder that the Eagles sound changed for the better when he joined the band and that's exactly what they wanted, a harder edge to their sound. Don Felder worked at a music store long before joining the Eagles giving guitar lessons to young beginners, one of his student's was a kid named Tom Petty, yes the same one.
• Tom from Marble Falls, ArMy teenage daughter is really into the Eagles. I can't believe how much this generation is so into them! It's great when they "get" why I like a band.
• Roldan from Tagbilaran City, PhilippinesDon felder and Duane allman were good friends long time ago. Duane taught him how to use the sliding glass to create a sexy sound. When Don felder was in the eagles, he played the slide guitar in the "Good Day in Hell".
  
• Ken from Louisville, KyThe Eagles broke up because of tensions within the band. Frey and Hendley ended up not speaking to each other during much of their final recording sesions and subsequent tour. Frey and Feder openly threatened each other on stage during the 1980 tour. When the group broke up, they still owed one additional new album to Asylum, which was fulfilled by Frey's and Hendly's first solo albums in 1981. Both Frey and Hendly made "statements" on their 1981 album covers by having yuppie hairstyles and clothes (Frey ever wore a suit!) - The Eagles, and the 70's, were over.
• Joanna from Dallas, TxI have never thought of the Eagles as "country." Never heard anything that good in country music either.
• Emma from Surigao, OtherThe Eagles is the best Band that I've known all my life. They are so great guys playing and singing counry and rock music from the 70's until the present. It's just so sad about a member fired and gone. D. Felder is really so good in guitar. Guys keep on rockin' please! I only see you in computer but you really make me crazy for your style and songs. The best ever. . . . .THE EAGLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• William David Snyder from Phoenix, AzAs Linda Ronstadts back up band.They were known
  as "Stone Ponies"
• Shorty from Floral City, Fli love all their songs!!!!!
• R. Frank Krajenbrink from Anaheim, CaThe Eagles are not the Eagles without Don Felder especially when when it comes to song like Hotel California and New Kid in Town where the guitar solos still sound great today. I saw the Hell Freeze's over tour twice, excellent show. I caught the show in Anaheim and I had to get up and leave to use the restroom during the solo of Hotel California. I was not hearing those tasty and crafty guitar notes of Don Felder. I was disapointed. For the average ear I am sure what Sturart was playing was fine but Stuart is no match for Don, Sorry Stuart. What was Henly and Frey thinking? Come on guys, hug and make up! It seems Henly is so hard to get along with and he is really not good drummer. It really sucks not to see and hear Don Felder in the band. What a great guitar player. Don is at the top of my list of all time great guitar players.
  fkrajenbrink@yahoo.com
• Ken from Dupont, PaActually, "Take It Easy" was written by Jackson Browne. Glenn Frey later changed some words and played it more in the Eagles style. Both Browne and Frey have writing credits.
• Ray from Stockton, NjI have to say that thanks to the Eagles, I got into music by listening to their music and becoming a guitar player. I just wish that Don Felder wasn't fired because he is in my opinion the best guitarist ever and he's my guitar hero.
• Ray from Stockton, NjI absolutely love The Eagles but i don't like that they don't have any more concerts or at least I couldn't find them. I also feel that The Eagles are one of the most underrated bands of all time. Every thinks of great band in the 70s as Led zeppelin, the who, the rolling stones, and clapton. Don't get me wrong they're great but The Eagles are way too underrated. And Don Felder, he is an amazing guitarist but he is very underrated. Every thinks of good guitarists as clapton, page, hendrix, townshend, slash, santana, george harrison, jeff beck, keith richards, peter frampton. I think Joe Walsh and Don Felder are way too underrated. Don Henley is very underrated too. Every thinks of great dummers as john bonham, ringo starr, keith moon, neil peart. Don Henley was a lead singer, drummer, songwriter, and even guitar player. He was amazing, hes also very underrated. Thats why I think The Eagles are the most underrated band of all time.
• Jimmy from ViennaThere will be a new Eagles album in spring 2007! (www.joewalsh.com)
• Jimmy from ViennaJ.D. Souther has never been a part of the Eagles, but he wrote many songs together with Henley/Frey. "Take it easy" is one of his songs!
• Garrett from Nashville, TnJoe Walsh had no hand in writing either "Hotel California" or "The Long Run." He did chime in on "Life In the Fast Lane," however.
• Francesca from London, EnglandIm only 16 and i went to the hell freezes over concert i must of been about 8 or 9 and it was wicked !!!
• Annabelle from Eugene, OrWasn't J.D. Souther a part of The Eagles at one point in time? Or am I mistaken?
• Loony Moony Lupin from VirginiaIn response to the comment made about Simon Cowell not liking Country Music but liking "Desperado": I like the Eagles...but some Country music I just don't get into.
• Patty from W.va., Wvthe eagles are so friggen cool i love them, i m listneing to them rite now ^.^ im doin a collage report on them rock ouyt
• Kartik from Peace River, CanadaThe Eagles are an amazing band. That pretty wicked that they have the top US album. Its not coo that they sued the eagle foundation but i still love em'.
• Kelli from Cedar Rapids, IaIf you want a Joe Walsh page, start one! You click on add an artist fact at the bottom...its not a conspiracy, crazy.
• Curtis from Kitimat, Canadaany one who does not like the eagles is as useless and stupid as the mother that spawned them.
• Lawrance from Eagle River, WyGlenn Frey also had a major part in the CBS cult classic "WiseGuy". Frey was excellent in the part.
• Diana from Here, Co"American Idol's" Simon Cowell has said that "desperado" is probably his favorite song of all time, yet has also said the he "doesn't get country music". The Eagles consider themselve more "country" than rock.
• Shayne from Edmonton, KyI read that Kenny Rogers helped Don Henley finance the creation of The Eagles.
• Alan from Singapore, SingaporeGlenn Frey also acted in Miami Vice and wrote a song featured on the Miami Vice soundtrack called Smugglers Blues
• Andrew from Ny, Nyi heard that one of the Eagles' members once dated batgirl from the batman tv show). how cool would that have been! i don't know who is was, though.
• Jemima from Detroit, MiThe Eagles broke up because the two main contributors to songwriting in the band (DH and GF) had been together for so long and "had been going to the well for so long." There was friction between almost every single member of the band before they broke up.
  When they reformed for HFO and Farewell I, I guess they got over their differences for the fans. Or the money. Or both.
• Dan from Winthrop, MaEagls have the best selling recording in the U.S.Michael Jackson's Thriller holds the record for most albums at over forty million worldwide.
• Martin from Worcester, MaActually England doesn't suck. I'm from the States too but a lot of great bands came from England, i.e. Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, the list goes on.
• Wil from Marco Island, FlMan, who could like a band that sued a Eagle foundation. They had some good songs, but weren't that great.
• Luke from Martin, TnAnyone else notice that there's an Eagles page, a Don Henley page, but NO JOE WALSH PAGE? The liberals have taken over!
• Ray from Sunshine Coast, AustraliaHaving a band like the Eagles still kicking ass after 32 yrs is absolutely remarkable. I saw them in Toronto in 94 and again last month in Brisbane. They never fail to please! Don, Glenn, Joe and Tim are as spot on as ever. Too bad to see Felder gone . Oh well Life goes on.. Keep Rockin guys..
  Ray. Sunshine Coast .Australia
• Tom from Trowbridge, EnglandThe best selling album ever is Thriller- 54 million copies. Eagles greates hits is only the top selling in the US.
• Katie from AustraliaI saw the Eagles play two weeks ago in Sydney, an they were fantastic. They sold out about ten shows here in Australia where they are huge. The concert was brilliant, they can still rock with the best of them.
• Don from Pittsburgh, PaThe Eagles have a lengthy and strong discography, but IMO "Desparado" is there best album. Followed by "On the Border."Both came out in the early 70's.
• Chris from Albuquerque, NmAt a concert in Santa Fe after the initial break-up of the band, Joe Walsh was touring in support of one of his solo albums. In an off-hand comment he referred to himself as the last Eagle, cuz everyone else in the band had quit.
• Phil from Rochester, NyHenley had a lengthy solo period in the 80s. In fact, he's spent more time as a solo artist than as a member of the Eagles. I'm wondering why the band broke up in the first place?
• Jason from Chicago, IlThe actual piano that they recorded "Desperado" on, is located at "The Firehouse" recording studio on the campus of Southwest Texas University (now Texas State Univ.)
• Marlow from Perth, Australiahow many different best of albums could one band have with the same songs.........TOO MANY!
• Mazen from Lebanon, OtherGlenn Frey (pronounced like fry) played the football team owner on the movie "Jerry McGuire"
• David from Auburn, AlDon Henley attended the University of North Texas whose mascot is the eagle. Many people believed that this is the origin of the "Eagles," but he stated in an interview that it is not.DH

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