Eagles, The

(Vocal/guitar: Glenn Frey, b. Detroit, Nov. 6, 1948; drums/vocal: Don Henley, b. Gilmer, Tex., July 22, 1947; banjo/mandolin/guitar/vocal: Bernie Leadon, b. Minneapolis, July 19, 1947; bass/vocal: Randy Meisner, b. Scottsbluff, Nebr., Mar. 8, 1946; after 1974, guitar: Don Felder, b. Gainesville, Fla., Sept. 21, 1947; after 1975, guitar: Joe Walsh, b. Wichita, Kans., Nov. 20, 1947, to replace Leadon; after 1977, bass/vocal: Timothy B. Schmit, b. Sacramento, Calif., Oct. 30, 1947, to replace Meisner.) Influential country-rock band of the 1970s.

First formed as a backup group for singer Linda Ronstadt, the Eagles recorded soft country-rock in the early 1970s, scoring early hits with Take It Easy, a mellow, hippie-cowboy anthem, and Desperado. They reached their greatest success when they became a more hard-rocking outfit, focusing on social commentary (1977's Hotel California, Life in the Fast Lane).

In 1980 the group disbanded following internal squabbling; 14 years later, they rebanded (with the late 1970s personnel) for a hugely successful reunion tour and album. Henley went on to the greatest individual success, although Frey also had solo hits.