Don Henley was born July 22, 1947 in Gilmer, Texas and raised in Linden, Texas. In 1963 he joined with some friends, Richard Bowden, Jerry Surratt, and Freddie Neese in forming a band – the FOUR SPEEDS. Freddie Neese was replaced by Joey Brown and the band’s name changed to FELICITY. In 1969 Joey Brown left FELICITY, and Richard Bowden took over guitar duties. Mike Bowden, cousin of Richard, joined the band as their bass player. Jerry Surratt was killed in a motorcycle accident in 1970 and was replaced by Jim Ed Norman.

In 1969 FELICITY wanted to augment their line-up by adding another guitarist. When they attended a concert by a group called FOXX, they found the musician they were looking for – Al Perkins. The band changed its name to SHILOH. The band had met Kenny Rogers, who encouraged them to go to Los Angeles. Under the aegis of Kenny Rogers as their producer, Shiloh recorded an album. In April 1971 SHILOH disbanded. Al Perkins replaced Sneaky Pete Kleinow in the FLYING BURRITO BROTHERS and Jim Ed Norman became a producer. Richard and Mike Bowden, and Don teamed with Glenn Frey from LONGBRANCH PENNYWHISTLE and Linda Ronstadt to form the LINDA RONSTADT BAND.

 Don Henley and Glenn Frey left in September 1971 to form the EAGLES with Randy Meisner and Bernie Leadon, Richard Bowden stayed for the reformation of the LINDA RONSTADT BAND. The EAGLES became one of America’s most popular acts during the 70s, and they are still touring to sell-out audiences in 2004. Don’s distinctive voice took lead on the bulk of their best-known songs, many of which he also co-composed. He enjoyed his first taste of single chart success without the EAGLES when a duet recorded with Stevie Nicks, “Leather And Lace”, reached the US Top 10 in 1981. Although surprised when the EAGLES’ problems led to a breakup, Henley shook off its legacy with the excellent “I Can’t Stand Still”. A songwriting partnership with guitarist Danny Kortchmar resulted in several strong compositions, notably the acerbic “Dirty Laundry”, which reached US Number 3 in 1982. A second set, “Building the Beast”, proved highly popular, attaining platinum status in 1985 and spawning two US Top 10 singles in “The Boys of Summer” and “All She Wants To Do Is Dance”.

Don’s skill as a perceptive songwriter was enhanced by the release of “The End of Innocence”, which underlined the artist’s ever maturing skills. He enjoyed his biggest singles success to date in 1992 when his duet with Patty Smyth, “Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough”, spent several weeks at US Number 2. He was back with the EAGLES in 1994, showing that the passage of time had not diminished their extraordinary popularity. Five years later Henley was in the headlines once more, orchestrating a campaign against the “work of hire” amendment to the Copyright Act which made record companies the sole owners of an artist’s work in perpetuity. The issue was also addressed on the title track of his Warner Brothers Record Debut, “Inside Job”.

Don Henley was inducted (with the Eagles) into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998, and into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2000. His music legacy is complemented by his renowned efforts to help preserve the environment and historic places. He was instrumental in establishing the Walden Pond preservation fund, the preservation and restoration of Texas’ Caddo Lake, and in the on-going efforts to preserve historic buildings in his hometown of Linden, Texas and to revitalize Linden’s economy.

Credit: www.theiceberg.com (revised)

Links: www.donhenley.com
www.musiccitytexas.org
www.eaglesband.com
www.walden.org