(Artist Report)

Written by: Jake Beach  

This week, Soundwave Music Media explores the legacy of the iconic folk-rock band The Eagles. Formed in Los Angeles in 1971, they have had a remarkable 54-year career, with five number-one singles and six number-one albums, solidifying their place as one of the most successful musical acts of the 1970s. The Eagles are an iconic American rock band with six Grammy Awards and five American Music Awards. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. Musically, the Eagles are known for their distinctive blend of California rock, incorporating rhythm and blues, soul, bluegrass, and rock elements.

The Eagles' origins trace back to early 1971 when singer-songwriter Linda Ronstadt invited Frey and Henley to join her band. Henley had moved to Los Angeles from Texas, while Frey, originally from Michigan, had previous collaborations with Henley. The lineup was completed with the addition of Meisner, who came from Ricky Nelson's band, and Leadon, who had ties to the Flying Burrito Brothers. This collaboration was instrumental in supporting Ronstadt on her Silk Purse tour and laid the groundwork for their subsequent success.

The band's name, "Eagles," emerged from a memorable outing in the Mojave Desert. However, its origin remains a point of contention. While some credit Bernie Leadon with the suggestion, others attribute it to Frey's reaction upon seeing the birds. Notably, comedy legend Steve Martin proposed the name "the Eagles." Still, Frey insists that the band is officially known simply as "Eagles."

Initially managed by Geffen and Elliot Roberts, the Eagles made a significant management shift to Irving Azoff while recording their critically acclaimed third album. Their breakout hit, "Take It Easy," featured Frey on lead vocals accompanied by Meisner's harmonies. The self-titled debut was produced by Glyn Johns and released on June 1, 1972. It included three Top 40 singles: "Take It Easy," which climbed to number 12 on the charts; "Witchy Woman," peaking at number 9; and "Peaceful Easy Feeling," which reached number 22.

In 1973, the Eagles released their follow-up album, Desperado, which showcased a thematic focus on Old West outlaw culture. This album featured co-written tracks by Frey and Henley, such as "Tequila Sunrise" and the title track. Although Desperado peaked at number 41 on the Billboard 200, it represented a pivotal turning point in the band's artistic evolution.

From 1973 to 1975, they transitioned from country to a rock-oriented sound with On the Border, produced initially by Glyn Johns and later by Bill Szymczyk. The album included hits like "Already Gone," which reached number 32, and the number one song "Best of My Love," along with "Ol' '55" and "James Dean."
Their performance at the California Jam festival on April 6, 1974, expanded their visibility despite Don Felder missing the event. On June 10, 1975, the Eagles released One of These Nights, featuring the title track and Grammy-winning "Lyin' Eyes," which solidified their status as international superstars and earned them a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year.

However, this album marked a turning point. In December 1975, founding member Bernie Leadon departed the band following a contentious exchange with Frey over the band's evolving musical direction. Leadon's exit underscored the tensions within the group as they shifted from their country roots towards a more rock-oriented sound.Their next release, Hotel California (1976), is known for its signature title track and has sold over 26 million copies in the U.S. Although tensions during the subsequent tour strained relationships, the band continued to produce hits, with Randy Meisner departing in 1977 and Timothy B. Schmit taking his place.

In 1979, they released The Long Run, which included the number 1 hit "Heartache Tonight." After disbanding in 1980, members pursued successful solo careers, with Joe Walsh, Don Henley, and Glenn Frey achieving notable fame.
In 1993, the Eagles were honoured with a tribute album titled Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles, which reignited public interest in the band. This led to a highly anticipated reunion in 1994, featuring the classic lineup from the Long Run era. At their first live performance, the Eagles recorded the Hell Freezes Over album, which debuted at number one on the Billboard charts and included the new hits "Get Over It" and "Love Will Keep Us Alive," ultimately selling six million copies in the U.S.
The band embarked on a successful tour later that year. However, it was briefly interrupted by Glenn Frey's recurrence of diverticulitis. In 1998, the Eagles were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, where all seven members performed together, showcasing their enduring legacy with renditions of "Take It Easy" and "Hotel California." Subsequent reunion tours featured record-setting ticket prices, although Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner did not participate.
In late December 1999, the Eagles performed at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. They held a New Year's Eve concert at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. These shows were significant as they marked the last appearances of guitarist Don Felder, who later filed a lawsuit against bandmates Don Henley and Glenn Frey, highlighting tensions within the group.
The live recordings from these concerts were included in the four-disc box set Selected Works: 1972–1999, released in November 2000 and certified platinum in 2002. After a brief hiatus, the Eagles returned to touring in 2001 with key members Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Joe Walsh, and Timothy B. Schmit.

On February 6, 2001, Felder was dismissed from the band and filed two lawsuits against them, claiming wrongful termination, breach of contract, and breach of fiduciary duty, seeking $50 million in damages over disputes regarding profit distribution since the 1994 Hell Freezes Over tour.
On January 23, 2002, the Los Angeles County Superior Court consolidated two complaints, with a trial date set for September 2006. Still, the case was ultimately dismissed on May 8, 2007, following an out-of-court settlement.
In 2003, the Eagles released The Very Best Of, a greatest hits album that debuted at number three on the Billboard charts and achieved triple platinum status. It featured the new single "Hole in the World." That year, Warren Zevon began work on his final album, The Wind, with contributions from Eagles members.

On June 14, 2005, the band released "Farewell 1 Tour: Live from Melbourne," including new tracks and a special edition released in 2006. After initial delays, Don Felder's book was published in the UK and U.S. between 2007 and 2008.
From 2007 to 2012, the Eagles toured with Frey, Henley, Walsh, and Schmit, releasing new music, including "How Long" and the album Long Road Out of Eden, which debuted at number one in several countries. In early 2008, they earned a Grammy for "How Long."

2016, Glenn Frey passed away, leading to tributes and uncertainty about the band's future. However, they reunited in 2017 for the Classic West and Classic East concerts, featuring Deacon Frey and Vince Gill.
In 2019, the Eagles performed Hotel California entirely, announcing a postponed tour due to COVID-19. The tour resumed in 2021, but Deacon Frey left in 2022 to pursue a solo career.
Randy Meisner passed away on July 26, 2023, and the Eagles announced a farewell tour with a concert residency in Las Vegas starting September 2024. The tour has already grossed $42.2 million from ticket sales.
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