Over the weekend I ended up watching The Eagle's concert DVD, 'Farewell 1 Tour.' to be honest, I watched it then immediately started it over and watched it again. There's no denying the catalog of music they gave us from 1972 to 1980. They played all the hits, including a couple, at that time, new tracks from their 'Hell Freezes Over' and 'Long Road Out of Eden' albums. The four part harmonies never sounded sweeter.

The original lineup included; Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Randy Meisner, Don Felder & Bernie Leadon. In 1977 Leadon and Meisner left, taking their spots were former James Gang member, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit. Ironically, Schmit had replaced Meisner in his previous group, Poco. Felder would end up leaving the group for good in 2003. To hear his 'side of the story' you can always check out his bio book, 'Heaven and Hell: My Life in the Eagles.

Just so you know where I am coming from and why I pulled the songs I did for this list, here is the criteria that I went by:

The song had to come from a complete solo album.

The album had to come out after the 'artist' left the group or the band broke up, whichever came first (Meisner)

Soundtracks were not included, since various artists showed up on those albums.

(Heavy Metal, Beverly Hills Cop, Fast Times at Ridgemont High)

A duet would count IF the song was from their album vs. them singing on another persons' album. (see Stevie Nicks' 'Leather & Lace')

  • Don Henley - 'Johnny Can't Read' 1982

    I would say that out of all the members in the group, Henley has had the most post-Eagles success. He's had five songs in the Top 10, including; 'The End of the Innocence,' 'The Boys of Summer' and the second single of his debut album, 'Can't Stand Still.'

    Not counting his duet on Leather & Lace with Stevie Nick's from her solo album, 'Bella Donna,' this was the lead off song from his debut album. Sadly, it didn't even crack the Top 40 (#42).

  • Glenn Frey - 'I Found Somebody' 1982

    Glen secured two songs into the Top 10 after the breakup of the Eagles. It's interesting to note that both songs came off of soundtracks. A trend you will soon see with other group members. 'The Heat Is On' came off the 'Beverly Hills Cops' soundtrack (1984), while 'You Belong to the City' was from 'Miami Vice' one year later. His debut solo album was called 'No Fun Aloud' and the first song released to radio was this song. He fared a little better than Henley did with the first radio release. 'I Found Somebody' at least cracked the Top 40 (#31).

  • Joe Walsh - 'A Life of Illusion' 1982

    I like to call Joe "the oddest apple in the batch." He once said that he 'only had one drink, but it lasted more than 10 years.' Joe really brought humor and a kiddish feel to all of his music. He had pre Eagles success with his group, the James Gang and even a couple of solo hits before joining the Eagles ('Rocky Mountain Way' & the classic rock staple, 'Life's Been Good.' But, I'm keeping this post Eagles and non-soundtrack, so I am bypassing 1980's 'All Night Long' (#19) from the 'Urban Cowboy' soundtrack and bringing us up to his first solo album from 1981, 'There Goes The Neighborhood.'  You will still find this on Classic Rock/Classic Hit radio, but for the Top 40 audience 'A Life of Illusion' stalled at #34.

  • Timothy B. Schmit - Playin' It Cool 1984

    In my opinion, one of the best soprano voices ever comes from Timothy Bruce Schmit. You can hear his lead vocals on 'I Can't Tell You Why' and 'Love Will Keep Us Alive.' Like I mentioned earlier, Schmit repaced Meisner in Poco and then did it again in the Eagles. He only had three solo songs between 1982 to 1987, starting with a song from the 'Fast Times At Ridgemont High' soundtrack. It was a remake of the Tymes' number one hit, 'So Much in Love.' Schmit's version stalled at #59. His third song was his biggest, 'Boys Night Out,' my personal favorite, which broke the Top 30 (#25). 'Playin' It Cool' would be his first non soundtrack release. Sadly, this was one notch below the Top 100.

  • Don Felder - Bad Girls 1983

    Don Felder was a little less busy than the rest of the members of the group and really the least successful. He only had two songs released to radio. The one he 'may' be most remembered for was from the soundtrack to 'Heavy Metal.' Although, I consider Sammy Hagar's song off the same soundtrack as the official title track, 'Heavy Metal,' this could almost be considered the other one. But to keep out confusion, Felder's song was called 'Heavy Metal (Takin' A Ride).' The only song released off a solo album was this one from 'Air Born,' called 'Bad Girls.'

  • Randy Meisner - Deep Inside My Heart 1980

    Because Meisner left the Eagles three years before they called it quits he had a head start on working on his first solo record. He was the first member of the group to have success as a solo artist, but only had four songs available for radio play. His first, 'Deep Inside My Heart,' went to #22 in 1980 and was a duet with Kim Carnes. Unlike the Nicks & Henley duet, this one came off of Randy's solo album, so that's why this meets the criteria to be part of this list. He also rolled out two more songs that got some good 'spins' on radio, the follow up, 'Hearts On Fire' (#19) and 'Never Been In Love' (#28).

     

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