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 Their next album “Desperado” came out in Their first number one hit “Best of My Love” was in their third album in 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 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 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 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 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. hy.htm. 25 February Song Facts. n.d February 2014.