The Eagles are a band.
Donald Hugh `` Don '' Henley ( born July 22 , 1947 ) is an American singer-songwriter , producer , and drummer , best known as a founding member of the Eagles before launching a successful solo career . The Eagles are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1971 by Glenn Frey , Don Henley , Bernie Leadon , and Randy Meisner . The Eagles are one of the world 's best-selling bands of all time , having sold more than 150 million records -- 100 million in the U.S. alone -- including 42 million copies of Their Greatest Hits ( 1971 -- 1975 ) and 32 million copies of Hotel California . They are the fifth-highest-selling music act and the highest-selling American band in U.S. history . Following the death of Frey in January 2016 , Henley stated in several interviews that he did n't think the band would perform again .