TheThe Extended Extended Family Family TheThe often-surprising often-surprising connections connections between between the the Eagles Eagles and and other other rock rock notables notables
J.D. Souther Jackson Frey’s pre-Eagles Browne roommate and The L.A.songwriter bandmate lived in the same (Longbranch/ building as Frey Pennywhistle), Souther and Souther and went on to co-write co-wrote “Take Eagles (“New Kid in It Easy,” “James Town”) and Henley Dean” and“Doolin- (“Heart of the Matter”) Dalton” with hits and dated Linda various members Ronstadt. of the Eagles.
James Taylor The Flying Post-Poco, Burrito Bros. Meisner played Bob Seger Leadon joined bass on a couple Frey’s pal from these country- of Sweet Baby Michigan, Seger soul pioneers James tracks co-write Timothy B. Schmit Don Henley Bernie Leadon Joe Walsh during their – for “Suite for “Heartache Gram Parsons 20 G,” Meisner Tonight” and Randy Meisner Glenn Frey Don Felder days, and, yes, was paid $85. recruit Henley, that’s Leadon Frey and Schmit to onstage with the Jimmy Buffett sing on 1980’s Burritos at the Against the Wind. He opened for the Altamont show in Eagles in the ’70s, but Gimme Shelter. there’s a more lasting Shiloh connection: While in Linda Poco Henley’s Longbranch/ James Gang Buffett’s band in the Ronstadt pre-Eagles band Barnstorm 1980s, Schmit coined First Meisner, was formed in Pennywhistle Cleveland band in Walsh’s “Parrotheads” to She accidentally then Schmit Texas and Frey and Souther which Walsh post-James Crosby describe Buffett’s fans. kick-started the played bass with released one met when they wrote some of his Gang, and Nash Eagles by these country- album wound up dating best-known songs pre-Eagles recruiting Henley rock pioneers, – produced by sisters – and then (“Walk Away,” Before joining band, best and Frey for her an offshoot of Kenny Rogers! formed this band, “Funk #49,” the Eagles, known for band, which also Buffalo which released “Midnight Man”). Felder played backing him on included Meisner Springfield. one decent-but- lead guitar on “Rocky and Leadon; she flop LP in 1969. tour with this duo cut the Mountain Way”; (even earlier, he best-known drummer Joe played in a high “Desperado.” Vitale was also school band with Jack a touring Eagle. pre-CSNY LaLanne Stephen Stills in Florida). Twisted During his fitness makeover in the Sister 1980s, Frey Schmit’s Eighties Bruce appeared in a TV gigs also ad for this chain Randy included backup Hornsby fronted by the Newman vocals After Hornsby hit physique guru. The singer- (sometimes with “The Way It songwriter uncredited) on Is,” Henley called recruited Frey, albums by bands and asked him to Henley, Walsh, like Twisted collaborate, Leadon and Sister, Poison resulting in “The Meisner to sing and Toto. End of the on Good Old Innocence.” Boys and Little Criminals.
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