CA Guitar Repair Blog: The Eagles | '70s History in Brief

I first heard about the Eagles as a fifteen-year-old in 1977, when my English teacher decided to share her take on the lyrics of Hotel California in class. As of this year, both Randy Meisner and Glenn Frey are no longer with us, God rest their souls. However, I'm still discovering Eagles songs that I've never heard before, and facts about the band that pique my interest. This post highlights a number of milestones in the band's history from 1971 to 1980. Now, while there's always been lots of controversy and speculation surrounding the Eagles; we won't be delving into any of that. With that out of the way, let's begin our journey.

Founding Members L-R: Leadon, Meisner, Henley, Frey

In July 1971, Don Henley [drums], Glenn Frey [guitar], Bernie Leadon [guitar] and Randy Meisner [bass] played their first show together as the backing band for Linda Ronstadt. The week-long gig was at Disneyland, and part of Ronstadt's Silk Purse tour. Later that year, with Ronstadt's blessings, these four young men formed the Eagles [Lewis 2013, Graff 2016, Whitaker 2022].

Eagles, Jackson Browne and Linda Ronstadt, circa 1976

The Eagles signed on to David Geffen’s Asylum Records in 1971. Their first single, Take It Easy, was released on May 1, 1972. Following this, Eagles, their debut album was released on June 1, 1972 [McNamara 2012, Cashmere, 2022, Patton 2023].

Eagles Cover

Eagles Foldout

Eagles Inner Sleeve

Desperado, the second Eagles album, was released on April 17, 1973. Desperado was an "Old West" concept album [Gallucci 2013, Ruhlmann 2012b, Cashmere 2022].

Eagles, circa 1973

Desperado Cover

On the Border was to be the third Eagles album produced by Glyn Johns. However, in the midst of recording this album, the band decided they could no longer work with Johns. Bill Szymczyk was then hired as Johns' replacement. Of the Johns-produced recordings, only two songs were retained [Buskin 2010, Ruhlmann 2012d].

The Eagles with Bill Szymczyk [far right]

On the Border also marked the debut of Don Felder, who was recruited to play slide on Good Day in Hell. Felder later accepted Glenn Frey's invitation to join the band. On the Border was released on March 22, 1974 [Fong 1993, Ruhlmann 2012d, Sisk 2022a].

1974 Lineup L-R: Leadon, Henley, Frey, Felder, Meisner

On the Border Cover

On June 10, 1975, the Eagles released their fourth studio album, One of These Nights. After completing the tour in support of the album, founding member Bernie Leadon left the Eagles. This was in December 1975, and within the month, Leadon was replaced by Joe Walsh [Kay 2007, DeRiso 2015, Ruhlmann 2012c].

One of These Nights Cover

One of These Nights Inner Sleeve

Hotel California, released on December 8, 1976, was the fifth Eagles studio album and the first to feature Joe Walsh. Walsh co-wrote two songs on this album, Life in the Fast Lane and Pretty Maids All in a Row; singing lead vocals on the latter [Fong 1993, Ruhlmann 2012a, Chilton 2020].

1976 Lineup L-R: Felder, Henley, Walsh, Frey, Meisner

Hotel California Cover

Hotel California Gatefold

Hotel California Inner Sleeve

Hotel California would also be the last Eagles album to feature founding member Randy Meisner. He participated in the tour to promote Hotel California but left the band after a show at Houston's Jeppesen Stadium on July 9, 1977 [Kerns 2022, Sisk 2022b].

Fort Worth, July 8 1977. ©Bob Jones

In September 1977, Glenn Frey gave Timothy B. Schmit a call, inviting him to join the Eagles as Meisner's replacement. Soon after that, Schmit accepted Frey's offer [Kay 2017, Hall 2017, Marten 2021].

1977 Lineup L-R: Frey, Felder, Henley, Walsh, Schmit

On March 1, 1978, the Eagles started work on their sixth studio album, The Long Run. The first song to be completed was I Can't Tell You Why, which Timothy B. Schmit co-wrote and sang lead vocals on. Produced once again by Bill Szymczyk, The Long Run was released on September 24, 1979 [Fong 1993, Giles 2015b, Kay 2017].

The Long Run Cover

The Long Run Gatefold

The Long Run Inner Sleeve

So, that's about it for the Eagles as far as the '70s are concerned. On July 31, 1980, Glenn Frey and Don Felder "threatened each other with physical violence" onstage during a fundraiser for Senator Alan Cranston. The event was held in Long Beach, California. Timothy B. Schmit called Frey the following day, only to be told that "the Eagles were finished" [Giles 2015a, Whitaker 2021, Das 2021].