Henley: Eagles' Song, Career Kickoff

 

Don Henley's journey as a songwriter traces back to a time before the Eagles, to the early days when he found joy playing jazz in Linden, Texas. Music flowed freely from his fingers, and he happily performed instrumental Dixieland jazz music, snagging his first paying gigs.

However, fate took a turn when The Beatles graced The Ed Sullivan Show. Witnessing their rockstar charisma, Henley's musical DNA underwent a profound change. Enthralled by the idea of being a proper rock star, he gathered a group of friends to form the band Shiloh. This move eventually led them to California after catching the attention of country music legend Kenny Rogers.

In the West Coast music scene, the group embraced the country-rock sound inspired by Gram Parsons and The Byrds. It was during these formative years that Henley had the opportunity to perform with Linda Ronstadt, where he crossed paths with rhythm guitarist Glenn Frey. Although they fit well in the Los Angeles club scene, Henley envisioned a more significant musical partnership with Frey.

The Eagles, with Randy Meisner and Bernie Leadon, were born. Under the wings of Asylum Records, they honed their craft, spending time in Aspen, Colorado, refining their songs. Collaborating with producer Glyn Johns, the album took shape, featuring tracks they had been performing for years, including contributions from friends like 'Nightingale' and 'Peaceful Easy Feeling.'

Yet, it was during a session with Bernie Leadon that 'Witchy Woman' emerged. A caustic rock and roll lick sparked inspiration, and Henley, immersed in a feverish state, penned most of the lyrics. The song, with its bluesy narrative about a mystical woman, marked a pivotal moment. Henley credited it as the turning point from being merely a musician to a professional songwriter.

Reflecting on 'Witchy Woman' in The Very Best of the Eagles, Henley shared, "I had a high fever and wrote most of the lyrics. I read a book on Zelda Fitzgerald, and that mixed with memories of girls from the Whisky and the Troubadour. An important song marking the beginning of my songwriting career."

Although Leadon was Henley's first collaborator, it was the partnership with Glenn Frey that solidified everything. Together, they went on to create masterpieces like 'Desperado' and 'Hotel California' in the years to come. 'Witchy Woman' wasn't just a song; it was the first sign that the Eagles were moving in the right direction, setting the stage for their legendary success.

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