Some of the world\u2019s most famous bands have often dealt with somewhat inauspicious beginnings. Not Eagles. The group immediately established themselves as country rock pioneers and pop crossover threats with their self-titled debut album.<\/p>\n
What was a little bit different about that first LP from the rest of their career was how evenly balanced the division of labor turned out to be. In fact, the band received a lot of help from some talented friends to bring the record to fruition.<\/p>\n
Ronstadt\u2019s Backing Band<\/p>\n
Linda Ronstadt was the catalyst. Ronstadt hired both Don Henley and Glenn Frey to play in her backing band to support a tour behind her 1970 album Silk Purse. Realizing the talent Henley had, Frey, who\u2019d recently moved on from Longbranch Pennywhistle, a collaboration with JD Souther, immediately began thinking about a new band.<\/p>\n
Ronstadt encouraged this, even as she knew it meant Frey and Henley weren\u2019t long for her band. She suggested Bernie Leadon as a possible group member. John Boylan, who\u2019d helped Ronstadt find Frey and Henley in the first place, promoted Randy Meisner as a potential addition. The lineup for Eagles was in place.<\/p>\n
The next order of business was finding a record deal. That happened pretty quickly thanks to some help from Jackson Browne. Browne, who had become fast friends with Glenn Frey, suggested the band to David Geffen, head of Asylum Records. Eagles got their deal and prepared to fly.<\/p>\n
Going with Glyn<\/p>\n
The band focused on Glyn Johns, the Brit known for engineering and producing records by rock heavyweights, in their search for a producer. But Johns only warmed to the group once he heard them playing acoustic and singing in four-part harmony. He emphasized those strengths on the debut record, which is why it had more of a country than a rock vibe to it.<\/p>\n