![\"Glenn](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Glenn-Frey-The-Eagles-Guitarist-Singer-Far-Out-Magazine-02-F-1140x855.jpg\")
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(Credits: Far Out \/ TIDAL)<\/p>\n
Sat 27 December 2025 22:30, UK <\/p>\n
As the co-vocalist of the Eagles<\/a>, Glenn Frey\u2019s voice soundtracked the sound of California rock\u2019s most defining songs. <\/p>\n Springing from their influences in rhythm and blues, bluegrass and soul, as well as the burgeoning folk, country and rock that overtook the 1960s, the Eagles emerged in 1971, harnessing their knack for soulful melodies and enchanting instrumentals.<\/p>\n The Eagles\u2019 inception, however, came from another icon of the California rock movement: Linda Ronstadt. In 1971, she and her manager, John Boylan, recruited Frey<\/a> and Don Henley for her backing band. The two musicians were signed to Amos Records at the time and moved from Michigan and Texas, respectively, to Los Angeles, meeting while spending time at the famed West Hollywood nightclub, the Troubadour. They, along with Randy Meisner and Bernie Leadon (of the Flying Burrito Brothers), joined Ronstadt\u2019s group of musicians for her summer tour, promoting her 1970 album, Silk Purse. <\/p>\n While on the road, Frey and Henley decided to form a band and, letting Ronstadt know of their plans, recruited Leadon at her suggestion. Ronstadt even devised to have Leadon play for her so that the pair could propose their idea. They enlisted Meisner, too, and played together on Ronstadt\u2019s 1972 self-titled album, and appeared altogether with Ronstadt only once on stage, at a concert at Disneyland. <\/p>\n Soon after, they were signed to Asylum Records, a label started by David Geffen, and the four set out to refine the Eagles\u2019 sound<\/a>.<\/p>\n Though the Eagles\u2019 origins came from the likes of Ronstadt and the emerging folk and country rock revivals, Frey would name a later work of the singer\u2019s as his favourite. Speaking to the Express in 2012 about the six albums he loved most<\/a>, Ronstadt\u2019s 1983 album What\u2019s New featured on his list.<\/p>\n \u201cLinda was our muse and a brave artist who followed her instincts,\u201d he said. \u201cThis album, the first of three with Nelson Ridids my benchmark.\u201d <\/p>\n What\u2019s New marked a major shift for Ronstadt, who, at the time, was lauded as the leading woman in rock \u2018n\u2019 roll. But, she was determined to expand beyond the borders of the genre, and convinced her record company and manager, Peter Asher, to allow her to realise her vision.<\/p>\n