Of the groups who are still together, this band is by far the most consistent, and unlike others who have been around 40 years or more, are not merely shadows of themselves. In fact, on their album Long Road Out of Eden, the Eagles recorded some of the best work of their careers. The amazing story of the Eagles can be told with great personnel moves, able to replace talented singers and musicians, the loss of whom would doom most groups.
Despite beginning over 40 years ago after playing backup for Linda Ronstadt, the lineup for this amazing supergroup has remained remarkably intact. Glenn Frey (vocals, guitars, keyboards, harmonica), Don Henley (vocals, drums, percussion, guitar), Randy Meisner (bass, vocals, guitar) and Bernie Leadon (guitars, vocals, banjo, mandolin, pedal steel) formed the group in 1971 in Los Angeles. The Eagles continued with that lineup through 1974, when Don Felder (lead guitar, mandolin, vocals, keyboards, pedal steel) joined the band. The following year, Leadon left.
What happened next was nothing short of a major coup for the band. They hired Joe Walsh, already one of The Top Guitarists of the Rock Era* for the James Gang and as a solo performer. Already highly respected for their insightful, relevant lyrics and superb harmonies and melodies, the hiring of Walsh instantly gained the Eagles more respect as musicians. It also gave the group a wonderful combination of two outstanding lead guitarists that would change their sound.
Meisner left in 1977 to pursue a solo career, and the Eagles made another spectacular move, replacing him with Timothy B. Schmit, bassist, vocalist and acoustic guitarist from Poco. The already world-beating harmonies got even better, if that's possible. Schmit added songwriting and vocal ability that would pay huge dividends to this day.
Although the group temporarily disbanded in 1980 after recording one of their best career albums, The Long Run, they thrilled their millions of fans when they returned in 1994. Felder continued with the group until 2001. Frey, Henley, Walsh and Schmit have been touring and recording some of the best music around since that time.
Despite beginning over 40 years ago after playing backup for Linda Ronstadt, the lineup for this amazing supergroup has remained remarkably intact. Glenn Frey (vocals, guitars, keyboards, harmonica), Don Henley (vocals, drums, percussion, guitar), Randy Meisner (bass, vocals, guitar) and Bernie Leadon (guitars, vocals, banjo, mandolin, pedal steel) formed the group in 1971 in Los Angeles. The Eagles continued with that lineup through 1974, when Don Felder (lead guitar, mandolin, vocals, keyboards, pedal steel) joined the band. The following year, Leadon left.
Meisner left in 1977 to pursue a solo career, and the Eagles made another spectacular move, replacing him with Timothy B. Schmit, bassist, vocalist and acoustic guitarist from Poco. The already world-beating harmonies got even better, if that's possible. Schmit added songwriting and vocal ability that would pay huge dividends to this day.
Although the group temporarily disbanded in 1980 after recording one of their best career albums, The Long Run, they thrilled their millions of fans when they returned in 1994. Felder continued with the group until 2001. Frey, Henley, Walsh and Schmit have been touring and recording some of the best music around since that time.
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