The legendary Glen Frey once said that the most remarkable singer he ever collaborated with was none other than Don Henley, whom he affectionately referred to as "the rock" of their band, the Eagles.
Every member of the Eagles took immense pride in showcasing some of the finest vocal talents California had to offer. When you join forces with an iconic artist like Linda Ronstadt, simply playing your instrument isn't enough; you must be ready for the spotlight. Frey had to prove his mettle in delivering the perfect vocal nuances for each chorus he penned. Despite his successful collaborations with Ronstadt and his solo endeavors, he consistently regarded Don Henley as the most exceptional vocalist he had ever encountered.
Henley’s vocal prowess contributed significantly to the Eagles' tremendous success. While the early years of the band could be seen as Frey's domain, the numerous songs he co-wrote with Henley are a testament to their creative synergy—a true musical treasure.
To illustrate this, let's explore some standout tracks from their greatest hits compilation. Frey certainly has his share of classics, including fan favorites like "Lyin' Eyes" and "Take It Easy." He also managed to launch some lesser-known hits into the airwaves, such as "Already Gone." While Randy Meisner contributed to the iconic "Take It to the Limit," a majority of their most celebrated songs featured Henley’s vocals. If we set aside some of the more obscure tracks like "New Kid in Town," Henley’s voice dominated pieces such as "Desperado," "Witchy Woman," and the timeless "Hotel California," where his tenor voice shone brilliantly, even though he naturally leaned towards being a baritone.
The Eagles were known for their ability to interchange vocal roles with ease during recordings. However, Frey had no hesitation in declaring Henley as the ultimate talent among them. In his words from "Life in the Fast Lane," he stated, "Don Henley is the rock, along with being the greatest singer that I’ve ever worked with. Randy is the perfect ribbon on the package.”
It’s quite rare to find a drummer who also takes on lead vocal duties, yet Don Henley does this exceptionally well, often surpassing many traditional frontmen. His voice has a smooth, buttery quality; it can convey both strength and vulnerability in successive notes while delivering poetic lyrics through his performances. This remarkable vocal balance played a crucial role in transforming the Eagles from just another band into one of the best-selling groups in history, captivating the admiration of his bandmates, particularly Frey.
Frey was so impressed by Henley’s vocal abilities that he even attempted to exclusively feature Henley in their songs. For example, when considering replacing Don Felder’s vocals on "Victim of Love" with Henley’s, Frey candidly admitted in "History of the Eagles," "If you look at [that period], I sang less and less. It was intentional. We had Don Henley."
However, it’s important to recognize that Frey may not have fully acknowledged the contributions of the other members when it came to their harmonies. While nobody would argue that Joe Walsh was the leading vocalist in the band, the experience of hearing all their voices blend beautifully in songs like "Seven Bridges Road" or "No More Walks in the Wood" from their final album remained one of their most cherished moments, right up until Frey’s passing in 2016.
Even after the Eagles parted ways, it came as no surprise that Henley emerged as the standout star, sharing the limelight with Walsh in creating unforgettable hits such as "The End of the Innocence" and "The Boys of Summer." Although the Eagles albums typically focused on harmonious arrangements, if one were to assess the technical capabilities of each vocalist, it’s evident that everyone except Henley would be vying for a distant second place.
