FLASHBACK: The Eagles’ Rock Hall Induction in 1998
The Eagles were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. They were part of an induction class that saw some of the biggest acts of the…
The Eagles were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. They were part of an induction class that saw some of the biggest acts of the 1960s and 1970s get recognized. Among them were Fleetwood Mac, Santana and The Mamas and the Papas.
The Eagles were inducted into the Rock Hall by Jimmy Buffett, who traded his beachwear for a tuxedo for the festivities. Buffett recalled his interactions with the Eagles over the years. He often was an opening act for the band on various bills and tours. Buffett made a point to recognize the Eagles for always treating him with respect, even though he was often their opener.
"I was the apprentice in the workshop, and I was glad to be there," said Buffett. " ... It was the little things I was privileged to witness backstage that helped me survive and become a better performer."
Buffett playfully said in closing, "And here I am still opening for this goddamn band."
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Don Henley, Timothy B. Schmit, Bernie Leadon, Randy Meisner, Joe Walsh, Don Felder and Glenn Frey all gave remarks. As expected, Henley and Frey spoke longer than their bandmates. Henley quipped during his speech, "You know the Hall of Fame is making money. I asked for a second bottle of water over here at my table, and the waiter brought me a check for $13." Henley also said of Eagles manager Irving Azoff, "He may be Satan, but he's our Satan!"
Frey touched on the drama of the Eagles during his speech. He said, "A lot has been made and a lot has been talked about and speculated about over the last 27 years about whether or not we got along. We got along fine, we just disagreed a lot! Tell me one worthwhile relationship that has not had peeks and valleys."
As for their performance, The Eagles played two of their iconic tracks: "Take It Easy" and "Hotel California." The latter song's performance is below.
The Eagles changed the game on February 17, 1976 with Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975).
Meant as a way to boost record label revenue while the band was making Hotel California, Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975) was a monster. The collection has a unique place in music history. In fact, it was the first release to be Platinum certified (1 million copies sold) by the RIAA.
Of course, this set would go on to sell far more than 1 million copies. In honor of its release anniversary, here is Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975) by the numbers.
Copies sold: 38 Million
Rick Diamond/Getty Images...
Place Held On RIAA’s Highest-Certified Albums List: 1st
Rick Diamond/Getty Images'Their Greatest Hits' dethroned Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' in August 2018 as the biggest selling album of all time.
Copies sold difference between 'Their Greatest Hits' and 'Thriller': 5 Million
Danny E. Martindale/Getty Images...
Tracks Included On 'Their Greatest Hits': 10
Rick Diamond/Getty Images"Take It Easy," "Witchy Woman," "Lyin' Eyes," "Already Gone," "Desperado," "One of These Nights," "Tequila Sunrise," "Take It to the Limit," "Peaceful Easy Feeling" and "Best of My Love."
Tracks That Went #1 On Billboard’s Hot 100: 2
Rick Diamond/Getty Images“Best Of My Love” and “One Of These Nights.”
Tracks That Hit Top 10 On Billboard’s Hot 100: 3
Rick Diamond/Getty Images“Witchy Woman” (#9), “Lyin’ Eyes” (#2) and “Take It To The Limit” (#4).
Other tracks that made the Billboard Hot 100: 4
Rick Diamond/Getty Images“Take It Easy” (#12), “Already Gone” (#32), “Tequila Sunrise” (#64) and “Peaceful Easy Feeling” (#22).
Only song not to chart on the Billboard Hot 100: 1
Rick Diamond/Getty Images“Desperado,” only because the Eagles didn’t release the song as a single, but it was covered by many artists notably Linda Ronstadt, Neil Diamond and Johnny Cash.
