Eagles are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1971, whose founding members were guitarist and singer Glenn Frey (born November 6, 1948 in Detroit, Michigan), drummer and vocalist Don Henley (born July 22, 1947 in Gilmer, Texas), guitarist and vocalist Bernie Leadon (born July 19, 1947) who was replaced by Joe Walsh (born November 20, 1947 in Witchita, Kansas) in 1975, and bassist and vocalist Randy Meisner (born March 8, 1946 in Scottsbluff, Nebraska), who was replaced in 1977 by Timothy B. Schmit (born October 30, 1947 in Oakland, California). Eagles began in early 1971, when Linda Ronstadt recruited local musicians Glenn Frey and Don Henley for her band, and they soon decided to go it alone after the tour, although they still backed Ronstadt on her self-titled album. Eagles released their debut album in 1972, instantly becoming chart stars with a string of hit songs, and hit their peak in 1976 with the album Hotel California which sold 42 million copies worldwide. Eagles originally split somewhat acrimoniously in 1980, but reformed in 1994 and went on to score a UK Official Albums Chart Number 1 with Long Road Out Of Eden in 2007. Eagles are still touring, although with different replacements after Frey died on January 18, 2016 from complications of rheumatoid arthritis, acute ulcerative colitis, and pneumonia. Image: Peter Mazel/Sunshine/Shutterstock
