Eagles
Caitlin Finn
• The Eagles formed in 1971 by Glenn Fry, Don
Henley, Randy Meisner, and Bernie Leadon
• They rehearsed in a small studio called Bud’s
in the San Fernando Valley.
• They first played in front of a live audience at
a place in Aspen, Colorado called “The
Gallery”.
• They recorded their first album in London in
1972.
• Their next album “Desperado” came out in
1973.
• Their first number one hit “Best of My Love”
was in their third album in 1974.
• Bernie Leadon left the band and was replaced
by Joe Walsh. Randy Meisner also left and was
replaced by Timothy B. Schmit.
• In 1979 the band broke up and went their
separate ways.
• In 1933 the group got back together for an
appearance on Travis Tritt’s video for his cover
of “Take it Easy.” (Eagles Online Central).
• They produced the album “Hell Freezes Over”
in 1994 and finished touring in 1996.
• The Eagles were inducted into the Hall of
Fame in 1998.
• The next album they produced was in 2007
called “Long Road out of Eden” and have been
touring off and on.
• Their most recent development has been their
documentary called “The History of the
Eagles” in 2013.
“Best of my Love”
• Written by Glenn Fry, Don Henley, and J.D.
Souther (a good friend if Glenn Fry’s).
• The Eagles’ first number one hit in 1974.
• According to Don Henley, he, Souther and Frey
wrote some of the lyrics over libations at the Los
Angeles restaurant Dan Tana's where they were
regulars. There, they studied women and
relationships. Henley says they were "typical,
frustrated, young men" at the time” (Song Facts).
Listening Guide to Best of My Love
• 0:00 Intro: Acoustic guitar plays simple melody; steel
guitar joins in along with bass guitar and continues to
play throughout entire song in 4/4 time
• 0:22 Verse 1: lead singer begins in soft dynamic (piano)
to set mood of song
• 1:05 Verse 2: lead singer is joined by other band
members for some harmony
• 1:49 Chorus: great harmonizing!!
• 2:13 Bridge: key change, song has begun to build
• 2:32 Verse 3: lead singer and group bringing song to a
close
• 3:16 Chorus (repeat 4x); everything fades out
Hotel California
• Written by Don Felder, Don Henley, and Glenn
Fry.
• Released in 1977.
• Don Henley states “Hotel California was our
interpretation of the high life in Los Angeles”
(Song Facts).
• Don Felder came up with the music and Don
Henley came up with the majority of the
lyrics.
Listening Guide to Hotel California
• 0:00 Intro: Acoustic 12 string and electric 12 string guitars
playing, one more electric guitar joins in along with drums
• 0:53 Verse 1: Lead singer begins to sing and bass guitar
joins in
• 1:44 Chorus: one more electric guitar joins in along with
other band members to harmonize
• 2:10 Verse 2: several of the guitars can be heard playing
different parts of the song and drums continue to keep a
steady beat
• 3:03 Chorus: as above
• 3:28 Verse 3: lead singer slows down with only 2 guitars
playing and then returns to normal speed with all
instruments playing
• 4:20 Guitar solo
Desperado
• Released in 1973.
• Don Henley started to write this song in the
late 1960’s but never finished it.
• It wasn’t actually made into a song until
Glenn Frey was able to help him put the rest
of it together.
Listening Guide to Desperado
•
•
•
•
0:00 Intro: Piano starts playing mezzo-piano
0:20 Verse 1: lead singer begins solo in 4/4 time
0:55 Chorus 1: strings join in
1:24 Verse 2: Singer, piano, strings, background
singers with “ooo’s”
• 1:58 Chorus 2: drums, guitar, and bass join in,
other band members harmonize
• 2:30 Verse 3: Lead singer and others harmonize;
song ends with piano and strings
• The Eagles have a ton of great songs that
show off each of their member’s talents. They
have shown us how hard work and long hours
can pay off. I personally believe they are one
of the best groups to harmonize with one
another. They have great pitch and dynamic in
each of their songs. And for a bunch of old
guys, they sure know how to bring the house
down!
Works Cited
• Eagles Online Central. n.d.
http://www.eaglesonlinecentral.com/biograp
hy.htm. 25 February 2014.
• Song Facts. n.d.
http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=958
7. 28 February 2014.