Entertainment Music Eagles Share PINTEREST Email Print Music Rock Music Top Artists Top Picks Holiday Music Pop Music Alternative Music Classical Music Country Music Folk Music Rap & Hip Hop Rhythm & Blues World Music Punk Music Heavy Metal Jazz Latin Music Oldies Learn More By Dave White Dave White Dave White is a longtime radio DJ and music journalist who covered classic rock for more than four decades. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on 08/08/18 The Eagles were an American rock band that started in Los Angeles in 1971. With five No. 1 singles, six Grammy Awards, five American Music Awards, and six No. 1 albums, the Eagles were one of the most successful musical acts of the 1970s. At the end of the 20th century, two of their albums were among the 20 best-selling albums in the United States . Hotel California is ranked 37th in Rolling Stone's list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time" and the classic rock band was ranked number 75 on the magazine's 2004 list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. The Eagles are one of the world's best-selling bands of all time, having sold more than 150 million records — 100 million in the U.S. alone. "Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975)" was the best-selling album of the 20th century in the U.S. They are the fifth-highest-selling music act and the highest-selling American band in U.S. history. The Eagles released their self-titled debut album in 1972, which resulted in three top 40 singles: "Take It Easy", "Witchy Woman", and "Peaceful Easy Feeling". They released On the Border in 1974, adding guitarist Don Felder as its fifth member midway through the recording of the album. Their 1975 album One of These Nights included three top 10 singles: "One of These Nights", "Lyin' Eyes", and "Take It to the Limit", the first hitting the top of the charts. The Eagles hit theirl peak in late 1976 when they released Hotel California, which would go on to sell more than 32 million copies worldwide. The album yielded two number-one singles, "New Kid in Town" and "Hotel California". Original Eagles Members Glenn Frey - guitar, keyboards, vocalsDon Henley - drums, guitar, vocalsBernie Leadon - guitar, mandolin, banjoRandy Meisner - bass Significant Eagles Facts Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 is the biggest selling album of all timeInducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998 and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2001Released six studio albums, and nine live albums and compilations between 1972 and 2003Released 21 singles, all of which made the U.S. singles charts Early Eagles History Glen Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner were backup players for Linda Ronstadt in 1971 when they decided to form their own group. Their early sound was a combination of country music and Surf Rock. Their first album, released in 1972, was a million-seller. Guitarist-vocalist Don Felder was added in 1974. Joe Walsh replaced Leadon in 1975, and Timothy B. Schmit replaced Randy Meisner in 1977. Eagles Then and Now After recording five more albums, the band broke up in 1980, and band members pursued solo careers with varying degrees of success. The band reunited in 1994 for a tour and live album, and they have toured sporadically since. Their 2007 release, Long Road Out Of Eden was their first new studio album since 1979. Essential Eagles CD Their Greatest Hits 1971 - 1975In addition to being the biggest selling album of all time this album showcases the diverse musical styles the group employed. 1974-75 Lineup l-r: Bernie Leadon, Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Randy Meisner, Don Felder. Courtesy Elektra/Asylum Records In flight since 1971 Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner were backup players for Linda Ronstadt in 1971 when they decided to form their own group. Their early sound was a combination of country music and Surf Rock. Their first album, released in 1972, was a million-seller. Five more albums followed before the band dissolved in 1980. Guitarist-vocalist Don Felder was added in 1974. Joe Walsh replaced Leadon in 1975, and Timothy B. Schmit replaced Randy Meisner in 1977. Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 is the biggest selling album of all time. Eagles Courtesy Elektra/Asylum Records The band released six studio albums and nine live albums and compilations between 1972 and 2003. Eagles Courtesy Elektra/Asylum Records The Eagles released 21 singles, all of which made the U.S. singles charts. 1977-82 Lineup l-r: Glenn Frey, Don Felder, Don Henley, Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmit. Photo by Lorrie Sullivan, courtesy Elektra/Asylum Records They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998 and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2001. Eagles in 2003 l-r: Joe Walsh, Don Henley, Glen Frey, Timothy B. Schmit. Courtesy Eagles Recording Co. II After pursuing solo careers with varying degrees of success, the band reunited in 1994 and Frey, Henley, Walsh and Schmit continue to tour today. Farewell I Tour: Live in Melbourne Photo by Jim Shea, courtesy Rhino Media Performing in Melbourne, Australia as part of their Farewell I Tour. Glenn Frey Live in Melbourne 2004. Photo by Jim Shea, courtesy Rhino Media Co-founder, guitarist-vocalist Glenn Frey, live in Melbourne. Don Henley Live in Melbourne 2004. Photo by Jim Shea, courtesy Rhino Media Founding member, drummer-vocalist Don Henley live in Melbourne. Timothy B. Schmit Live in Melbourne 2004. Photo by Jim Shea, courtesy Rhino Media Bassist-vocalist Timothy B. Schmit, who joined the band in 1977, live in Melbourne. Joe Walsh Live in Melbourne 2004. Photo by Jim Shea, courtesy Rhino Media Guitarist-vocalist Joe Walsh, who joined the band in 1975, performs live in Melbourne. Eagles Courtesy Elektra/Asylum Records A new Eagles album, The Long Road to Eden is expected to be released by the end of 2006. Eagles Photo by Jim Shea, courtesy Elektra/Asylum Records All but two of the Eagles' studio albums have reached #1 on the U.S. album charts.