It's Eagles, Not 'The' Eagles: Things You Never Knew About The '70s Rockers

By | September 8, 2022

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Photo of EAGLES; 1973 - L-R Bernie Leadon, Don Henley and Randy Meisner and Glenn Frey. (Photo by GAB Archive/Redferns)

The Eagles may not have invented country rock, but Glenn Frey, Don Henley and company can certainly be credited with helping to spread the local Los Angeles genre throughout the entire world during the 1970s. What began as a backing band eventually took the world by storm with some of the most popular albums of all time. As the psychedelic trends were dying, the Eagles transformed the spirit of the ‘60s into a new era of free-spiritedness -- a life of peaceful easy feelings and tequila sunrises. With members who came from all different country and rock bands, the Eagles proved to be a significant piece of California and American music history.

Glenn Frey Couldn’t Play In Bob Seger’s Band Because They Were Caught Smoking Weed

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Source: Rolling Stone

The story of the Eagles begins with frontman Glenn Frey. Growing up in Michigan, Frey played in small bands throughout the ‘60s including The Mushrooms and The Four of Us. He made a substantial career shift when he met rocker Bob Seger in 1967, the musician who helped Frey secure a management contract with the label Hideout Records. Frey would have actually joined Seger’s band had his mother not caught the pair smoking weed together. Frey continued to work with Seger by providing acoustic guitar and background vocals on Seger’s solo hits "Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man," "Fire Lake," and "Against The Wind." Seger recognized Frey’s undeniable talent and was the one who encouraged Frey to step out on his own and start writing originals. In 1968, Frey made the big move to Los Angeles where he met and moved in with fellow musicians Jackson Browne and J.D. Souther. As anyone can imagine, the days and nights in this home were full of writing and recording music. Browne especially helped Frey immensely with songwriting and even wrote the future Eagles hit "Take It Easy" during their days as roommates.