If there was one constant I could always depend on growing up in the 70's and 80's , it was my love for music. Having a variety of musical styles and artists to choose from, there was always one group I always turned to for a guaranteed satisfying song for what ever mood I was in. That group is my beloved Eagles. Over thirty years later, I still consider myself one of their biggest fans. No words on a page can even come close to describing the musical impact and inspiration this legendary group has had on the music industry, aspiring artists, their fans, and on a generation of fellow music lovers. Here’s my attempt at paying tribute to a truly legendary group, and my favorite band in the world. This Is The Eagles.
Coming from all around the country, the original members of the Eagles at one time were back up band members for Linda Ronstadt’s band. They got together at first to form a band called “the soul survivors”, not to be confused with the east coast group from the 60's. In Los Angelos, Ca. 1971, they signed with Asylum records, and adopted the name The Eagles. The original band members, as well as members that followed go like this:
Randy Meisner: Scottsbluff, Ne. (Vocals, Bassist)
Bernie Leadon: Minneapolis, Mn. (Vocals, Guitarist)
Glenn Frey: Detroit, Mi. (Vocals, Guitar)
Don Henley: Gilmer, Tx. (Vocals, Drums)
Don Felder: Gainsville, Fl. (Vocals, Guitarist) - fired from band in 1999, later sued henley and frey for wrongful termination.
Joe Walsh: Wichita, Ks. (Vocals, Guitarist) - replaced bernie leadon in 1975 after he quit the band.
Timothy B. Schmit: Sacramento, Ca. (Vocals, Bassist) - replaced randy meisner in 1977 after he quit the band.
Being all songwriters in their own rights, every member of the eagles contributed to the endless sea of eagles tunes. Most of their songs were either written by them or as a collaboration with other members, or other writers such as J.D Souther, Jackson Browne, etc. With writing so many songs, came the release of many great albums. The Eagles currently have nine albums, and well over a dozen compilation albums spanning their 37 year career. Without getting into the many compilation albums and greatest hits series, here are their more notable albums:
1972: Eagles
1973: Desperado
1974: On The Border
1975: One Of These Nights
1976: Hotel California
1979: The Long Run
1980: Eagles Live
1994: Hell Freezes Over
2007: Long Road Out Of Eden
Throughout the seventies and eighties, the Eagles were household names, you couldn’t turn on a rock or a country station without hearing an Eagles tune. Their style and performances earned them credibility in both country and rock and roll genres, which is why their music is so appealing to so many. However, with success always comes the inevitable pitfalls. Constant bickering and infighting lead to two original members to leave, and be replaced, and one to be fired. The Eagles
disbanded in 1982, and with the exception of a few greatest hits albums, never recorded together as a group again till the early/mid 90's. The success they had in the 70's was great enough for the next generation of singers who were brought up on Eagles music to convince the group to get back together and record again. The “Common Threads” country album of eagles songs covered by great country singers was enough to get the Eagles to come out with a new album, and appropriately titled “Hell Freezes Over”, which is when us Eagles fans thought would be the next time we would see the group together again. The Eagles began touring again, coming out with a few more songs and albums. They recently released their latest album “Long Road Out Of Eden”, and already have two very “eagles” sounding potential smash hits coming out of this one. (cont,)
Page Two,
