The Eagles’ breakup came to a head at a political fundraiser in 1980, which was attended by the band members themselves. Don Felder, the Eagles’ lead guitarist, was reportedly unhappy about being at the event and made his displeasure known to his bandmates.
This upset Glenn Frey, the band’s co-founder and primary songwriter, who felt that Felder was being unprofessional and disrespectful. As tensions continued to rise, threats were exchanged between the band members during their performance, ultimately leading to a bitter split.
Years of Resentment and Animosity
While the political fundraiser incident was the catalyst for the Eagles’ breakup, it was far from the only issue that had been simmering beneath the surface.
The band members had been dealing with personal and professional tensions for years, which had only grown worse over time. Frey and Don Henley, the band’s drummer and co-founder, were known to be perfectionists and had high expectations for themselves and their bandmates.
This put a strain on their relationships with other members, including Felder, who had clashed with Frey over creative differences and the direction of the band.
The Eagles Reunion
After their bitter split in 1980, the Eagles went their separate ways, pursuing solo projects and dealing with personal issues. However, in 1994, the band reunited for their “Hell Freezes Over” tour, which was met with great success.
The Eagles continued to tour and perform throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, but it wasn’t until 2007 that they released their first album in approximately three decades.
Glenn Frey’s Farewell
On January 18, 2016, the music world was shocked by the news of Glenn Frey’s death. The Eagles guitarist and founding member had been battling various health issues for months, including rheumatoid arthritis, acute ulcerative colitis, and pneumonia. His death marked the end of an era for one of the most iconic and influential bands in American music.
Despite this, the Eagles’ legacy lives on, and their music continues to inspire new generations of musicians and fans.
The Eagles will always be remembered as one of the greatest American rock bands of all time, and their story serves as a reminder of the importance of communication and collaboration in any creative endeavor.
The Eagles Featured Image by: Steve Alexander, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons