Eagles through the years: From the beginning to now
Follow their legendary journey from formation to Vegas residency
Few rock bands have left a legacy as powerful as the Eagles, who continue to captivate fans worldwide. In 2024 they launched 'The Long Goodbye farewell tour', including hugely anticipated UK arena dates, while their Las Vegas Sphere residency has since become the venue’s longest-running show, with more than 50 shows and over 700,000 fans.
With well over 100 million certified album sales in the US alone and more than 200 million worldwide, plus multiple Grammys and American Music Awards, they remain one of the best‑selling and most decorated bands in history.
Like many iconic rock bands, the Eagles’ journey has been filled with both triumphs and challenges. From their meteoric rise in the 1970s to a timeless catalogue of hits such as 'Hotel California', 'Desperado' and 'Take It Easy', their story is nothing short of legendary.
Alongside their chart-topping music, they’ve also made a lasting impact through philanthropy, including high-profile wildfire benefit work in California; and now 'The Long Goodbye, Act III' stadium shows in May 2026 will give fans a final chance to see them live after the Sphere residency ends in April this year.
Who are the band members?
The founding members of Eagles were Glenn Frey (guitars, vocals), Don Henley (drums, vocals), Bernie Leadon (guitars, vocals) and Randy Meisner (bass guitar, vocals).
However, like all bands, musicians come and go - so at present the group's current lineup comprises founding member Don Henley alongside Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmit, Vince Gill and Deacon Frey, son of late founding member Glenn Frey.
Where is the band from?
The Eagles are from Los Angeles, California, US.
When did Eagles form?
Eagles are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1971, who released their self-titled debut studio album 'Eagles' in June 1972, spawning hits like 'Take It Easy' and 'Witchy Woman'.
They released a run of hugely successful singles and albums throughout the 1970s before splitting in 1980, then returned in 1994 with their 'Hell Freezes Over' reunion album and tour and have remained active on the touring circuit ever since.
How did the Eagles band start? Their incredible career so far:
1971: The band's formation
In 1971, Glenn Frey and Don Henley were recruited to play in Linda Ronstadt's band. Randy Meisner and Bernie Leadon were also scouted to perform and tour with Linda Ronstadt in the same year.
On this tour, the foursome decided to form a band, and in September 1971, they were signed to Asylum Records.
1972: The band's first album
The Eagles' self-titled debut album was released in 1972, with their first single, 'Take It Easy', released in June that year. The song reached Number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, propelling the band into the mainstream.
The album also had two other hit singles, 'Witchy Woman' and 'Peaceful Easy Feeling', which charted at Number 9 and Number 22 respectively.
1973: Peaking too soon
The Eagles' second album, 'Desperado', failed to make a hit, causing friction in the band. Eight records on the album were written by Glenn Frey and Don Henley, with their first single, 'Tequila Sunrise', peaking at Number 61 in the US charts, and their second, 'Outlaw Man', reaching Number 59.
1975: Becoming international superstars
Following the success of their third album, 'On the Border', which won them their first US Number 1 with the single, 'Best of My Love', Eagles released their fourth studio album, 'One of These Nights', in 1975. The album made the band global icons, as it was the first of four consecutive Number 1 albums.
Their first single from the album under the same name went straight to the top of the charts, with the second single, 'Lyin' Eyes', reaching Number 2. This single also won the band their first Grammy for "Best Pop Performance by a duo or group with vocal." The Eagles even launched a worldwide tour to support the album, which ended up being nominated for a Grammy award for Album of the Year.
1976: Setting a new world record
After Bernie Leadon left the band and was replaced by Joe Walsh, the band released their first compilation album, 'Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975)', which until Michael Jackson's death in 2009, was the highest-selling album of the 20th century in the United States.
It has sold 29 million copies in the U.S and 42 million copies worldwide.
1979: Chart success
After two years of recording their next album, Eagles released 'The Long Run' in 1979. The album became Number 1 and sold seven million copies.
The album included their last Number 1 single, 'Heartache Tonight', as well as 'The Long Run' and 'I Can't Tell You Why', which both peaked at Number 8. 'Heartache Tonight' also won the band their fourth Grammy Award.
1980: The split
Following arguments between Don Felder and Glenn Frey, friendships in the band started to crack. Despite releasing their first live album, 'Eagles Live', albeit in different parts of the US following the tensions, the band announced their split in 1980.
1980 - 1993: Solo careers
After breaking up, all band members from Eagles embarked on solo careers. Joe Walsh released his own album and Don Henley achieved chart success, collaborating with Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac fame on the record 'Leather and Lace.'
Deacon Frey achieved musical success after producing songs for films, including 'The Heat Is On' from the Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack and 'You Belong to the City' from the Miami Vice soundtrack. Both tracks reached Number 2 in the US.
1994: A successful comeback
In 1994, the band made a comeback, releasing the album, 'Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles', which peaked at Number 1. The band went on to perform at various concerts and performed headline tours for five years after their comeback.
2001: Don Felder lawsuit
In 2001, Don Felder was fired from the band. He then launched a lawsuit, alleging wrongful termination, breach of implied-in-fact contract and breach of fiduciary duty, reportedly seeking $50 million in damages. In 2002, the case was settled outside of court for an undisclosed amount.
2015: A one-off Grammy performance
Over the next 14 years, Eagles continued to tour across the globe and release more singles and albums. However, they didn't reach the top of the charts like their previous music. In 2016, the band performed at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards. They sung "Take It Easy" in memory of Glenn Frey who had recently passed away.
2020: Eagles toured
In 2020 the band were set to go on their 'Hotel California 2020' tour, but this was postponed due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.
2022: Eagles performed in the UK
Eagles, with a line-up of featuring Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit and Vince Gill, performed in Liverpool Anfield Stadium, Edinburgh BT Murrayfield Stadium and London BST Hyde Park in June 2022.
2022: Timothy B. Schmit says there will be no new Eagles music
In September 2022, Timothy B. Schmit said that it isn't likely that we'll get new Eagles music.
In an interview with Louder Sound, he was asked if there was new music on the horizon, to which he said: "I sincerely doubt it. We toured behind our last album, 'Long Road Out Of Eden', and put in five to seven of those songs. But we don't do them any more because there wasn't a big reaction. When people come to see Eagles they want to hear Best Of My Love, One Of These Nights, all these things. So we give it to them."
2023: Eagles announce farewell tour
In July 2023, Eagles announced that they were heading out on a farewell tour called The Long Goodbye, describing it as the final chapter in their 'miraculous 52‑year odyssey'.
The tour began in September 2023 and, instead of wrapping in March 2024 as initially expected, it has been repeatedly extended with extra North American and European dates, including 2024 UK arena shows and additional legs into 2025 and 2026, culminating in 'The Long Goodbye, Act III' stadium concerts.
2023: Founding member Randy Meisner dies
In July 2023, founding member, bassist and vocalist Randy Meisner sadly passed away aged 77, due to complications from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
The band said: "Randy was an integral part of Eagles and instrumental in the early success of the band. His vocal range was astonishing, as is evident on his signature ballad, 'Take It to the Limit'."
2024: Eagles announce a residency in Manchester
The Eagles announced a five-night residency in Manchester, which took place at the Co-op Live Arena in May 2024 - the month the venue opened. Initially announcing three dates, the band added two extra shows due to phenomenal demand.
2025: Eagles add more dates to their residency at Sphere
The Eagles' Live in Concert at Sphere residency began in September 2024, with a setlist featuring classics like 'Hotel California', 'One of These Nights', 'Lyin' Eyes' and 'Life in the Fast Lane', plus solo hits such as 'Life's Been Good' and 'The Boys of Summer'.
Originally scheduled for a limited run, it was extended multiple times through 2025 and then again into early 2026, with additional February and April 2026 dates added to meet demand and bringing the residency total to 58 shows.
Eagles’ most famous songs
As one of the most legendary rock band of all time, the Eagles have plenty of timeless classics under their belt - so we've put together a handy guide to take a look at their biggest tracks of all time - from their 1976 hit 'Hotel California' to 'Victim of Love'.
Take a look at the Eagles' biggest and best songs.
How many albums did Eagles release?
Surprisingly, the band have only released seven studio albums including, Eagles (1972), Desperado (1973), On the Border (1974), One of These Nights (1975), Hotel California (1976), and The Long Run (1979). Their self-titled debut, 'Eagles', reached Number 22 on the US Billboard 200 and later going Platinum.
Albeit a while now, their latest studio album, 'Long Road Out of Eden', was released in 2007, topping both the US and UK album charts, going multi‑Platinum and winning two Grammy Awards, including Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for How Long.
'One of These Nights'
In 2025, the Eagles celebrated 50 years of 'One of These Nights', their fourth album. The album, which was released on 10th June 1975, featured hits such as, the title track 'One of These Nights', 'Lyin' Eyes' and 'Take It to the Limit'.
At the time of the album's original release it was a Top 10 record for the band in the UK, going to Number 1 in the US.
To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the band shared a 4K video of the title track being performed live back in 1977 at Capital Centre in Largo, Maryland.
In March 2026, The Eagles announced a deluxe edition of their album 'One of These Nights', out 1st May, featuring a new mix plus an unreleased 16-song 1975 Anaheim Stadium concert.
It will be available as 3LP and 3CD/Blu-ray, with a live cover of Chuck Berry’s Carol released digitally for the first time. A limited-edition One of These Nights merch line is also on sale via their official store.
Did they split up?
Yes. The Eagles split up in 1980 after their Long Beach 'Long Night at Wrong Beach' show and remained inactive for 14 years.
They reunited in 1994 for the 'Hell Freezes Over' album and tour, mixing live recordings with new studio tracks, and have since focused mainly on live, compilation and reunion releases rather than frequent new studio albums.
Do Eagles still perform?
Indeed they do - and after performing around the globe in 2024, they played an epic 'Eagles – Live in Concert' at Sphere residency in Las Vegas, which ran through to February 2026 and became one of the venue’s landmark shows.
After their hugely successful Sphere run, the band have confirmed extra Las Vegas dates through April 2026, and are also gearing up for three 'The Long Goodbye, Act III' stadium concerts in Atlanta, Nashville and Arlington in May 2026.
Prior to the 2024/2025 residency, the band performed their whole 1976 album 'Hotel California' for three concerts at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas in 2019.
In 2022, the band embarked on a European stadium tour, which saw them perform in Liverpool, Edinburgh and Dublin, in addition to at the BST Hyde Park festival. The band embarked on their 'Long Goodbye Final Tour' in 2024, performing at a host of venues across the United States until March 2024, and beginning a residency in the UK, in Manchester, in May.
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