(Credits: Far Out / ShowTime / Dan Tana’s)
Sat 3 January 2026 18:30, UK
While we look through the lenses of our rose-tinted glasses and remember the 1970s as music’s most exciting decade to date, one glaring contradiction seems to pierce into view. Because while on the surface, the chart-topping success and unrelenting opulence of the era’s best bands seemed something to envy, the reality that existed behind the scenes was often different.
As you go through the list of the decade’s biggest bands, you will quickly notice that they all had one thing in common: they absolutely hated each other. Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd and Eagles all ascended to the dizzying heights of commercial success in that decade, while simultaneously holding a grudge with a band member that could bring the whole house of cards to a dramatic close.
While Fleetwood Mac and Pink Floyd limped on in the face of their disputes, trying to push at musical greatness no matter what, Eagles instead decided to pay homage to the fraught reality of their band and go out with a true bang. In a now-famed Long Beach gig in 1980, the band broke out into a raging fist-fight over next to nothing, ultimately bringing their glittering career to a close.
Despite the delicate harmonies and cool breezed melodies, this closing chapter was far from surprising. There was a burning fire of tension that lived beneath this otherwise sunny sonic disposition, and it was only a matter of time before it caught light. But really, that was the magic of the band, that they were bound together by a musical obligation that almost negated the obvious conflict that existed.
So it was a wonder whether this new chapter of solodom would be freeing or exposing for each of the members. The results? Well, they were relatively unsurprising. The vocal figureheads of the band naturally went on to experience more successful careers, whereas those who existed in the comfort of the group’s harmonies didn’t quite reach the same heights.
So, which Eagle had the most solo number ones?
Well, not a single member of the Eagles achieved a number one as a solo artist.
Sadly, their careers proved that their time in the band would be unbeatable, no matter how painful an experience it was for them. But Joe Walsh, Glenn Frey and Don Henley did all enjoy successful solo careers nonetheless, reaching the Billboard top 100.
But, Don Henley only peaked at number three in the charts, while his songwriting partner Glenn Frey topped him more often, hitting number two twice, with ‘The Heat Is On’ and ‘You Belong to the City’.
The former of the two tracks saw Frey enter more commercial territory than his bandmates, for it was a soundtrack to the 1984 movie Beverley Hills Cop. Capitalising on this cross-platform opportunity, Frey wrote something that stormed the charts in tandem with the box offices, and earned him a higher Billboard chart spot than any of his contemporaries.
However, it was a loss Henley was likely willing to accept, given the fact that his discography was in pursuit of something a little more artistic.
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