The Eagles Take Flight – Their 5 Best Rock Songs Live

After paying dues in several unsuccessful bands, Don Henley and Glenn Frey were asked to be part of Linda Ronstadt’s backing band for an up-coming tour. Also on board were the Flying Burrito Brothers guitarist Bernie Leadon and bassist Randy Meisner, who had been a member of Rick Nelson’s Stone Canyon Band. Along the way musician and future producer John Boylan suggested the four start a group.

A meeting between Frey (with the other Eagles present) and David Geffen at a house Frey was sharing with Jackson Browne, convinced Geffen to sign the band to his Asylum Records.

While The Eagles “Greatest Hits” is the #1 selling album of all time the band also was top concert attraction for decades. The Eagles didn’t jump around onstage like many performers but they did artfully expand upon the studio version of their songs. Here are the live version of The Eagles Top 5 Rock songs.

#5. Life In The Fast Lane

Written by Glenn Frey, Don Henley and Joe Walsh, the song was based on an encounter Frey had with a drug dealer while they were driving at high speed to Vegas.  Frey wanted the dealer to slow down. “What do you mean,” dealer responded. “It’s life in the fast lane!”

#4. Hotel California

Widely regarded as one of the greatest Rock songs of all time, “Hotel California” reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was performed in concert well over 1,000 times.

#3. Take It Easy

Jackson Browne started writing “Take It Easy” in 1971 f but was having difficulty finishing the song. Frey, having heard an early version, asked Browne about it. Browne then played the unfinished second verse which Frey completed.  Browne was happy with the result he suggested that they finish the song together

#2. James Dean

Composed by Henley, Frey, Jackson Browne and J.D. Souther, “James Dean” is a song about the late actor/movie star who died in a car crash in 1955. The lyrics, “too fast to live, too young to die” referred to Dean’s life and abrupt death. 

Bernie Leadon played the guitar solo.

#1. Already Gone

The song’s creation did not involve any band member. It was written by Jack Tempchin, who had written “Peaceful, Easy Feeling” for the band, and Robb Strandlund 

Frey was the lead vocalist. with new guitarist Don Felder providing the song’s solo lick.

###

The Eagles (Original Line-Up):

Glenn Frey – Guitar/Vocals

Bernie Leadon – Guitar/Vocals

Randy Meisner – Bass/Vocals

Don Henley – Drums/Vocals

Key Additions:

Don Felder – Guitar/Vocals: 1974–1980, 1994–2001

Joe Walsh – Guitar/Vocals Guitar/Vocals: 1975–1980, 1994–2016, 2017– (replaced Bernie Leadon)

Timothy B. Schmit– Bass/Vocals: 1977–1980, 1994–2016, 2017– (replaced Meisner)

###