Four musicians Linda Ronstadt recruited, and the band they became

The Eagles began as a favour to Linda Ronstadt. Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner had each been recruited by her as band members, some touring with her, and all four played on her 1972 self-titled album. Then they ventured out on their own in Los Angeles in 1971, on David Geffen's new Asylum Records label. Their debut album, Eagles, produced two top-20 singles in the US and Canada, “Take It Easy” and “Witchy Woman”.

Success came step by step. Desperado peaked at number 41, though its title song became a popular track. In 1974 the guitarist Don Felder joined, and On the Border gave them their first US and Canadian number one, “Best of My Love”. In 1975, One of These Nights became their first number-one album, with the title track and “Lyin' Eyes” among the hits. Leadon left that year, replaced by Joe Walsh.

The next album made the legend. Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) is the best-selling album in the United States, with 40 million copies sold, and Hotel California, released in late 1976, sold more than 28 million in the US. “New Kid in Town” and “Hotel California” were both number ones in the US and Canada. Timothy B. Schmit replaced Meisner in 1977, and The Long Run in 1979 brought “Heartache Tonight” and the top-10 hit “I Can't Tell You Why”. The Eagles broke up in 1980.

They reunited in 1994 for Hell Freezes Over, a mix of live and new studio tracks, and toured consistently. Long Road Out of Eden in 2007 gave them a sixth number-one album in the US. After Frey's death in January 2016 the band re-formed in 2017, with Glenn's son Deacon Frey and the country singer Vince Gill sharing his lead vocals. They have sold more than 200 million records worldwide and entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. Whether “Peaceful Easy Feeling” or “Tequila Sunrise” is playing, the harmonies carry that history.