Biography
Who is Don Henley?
Early life and education
Donald Hugh Henley was born on July 22, 1947, in Gilmer, Texas. He grew up in the town of Linden, Texas, as the son of Hughlene and Con Junell Henley. His background includes English, Scottish, and Irish heritage. During his time at Linden-Kildare High School, he initially played football before joining the school band. He started by playing the trombone and later shifted his focus to percussion.
After finishing high school in 1965, he attended Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches. Later, he studied at North Texas State University in Denton from 1967 until 1969. He eventually left his university studies to spend time with his father, who was suffering from cardiovascular and arterial disease at the time. While in high school, he had already begun his musical path by joining a jazz band and later forming a group called the Four Speeds, which was eventually renamed Felicity.
Formation of the Eagles
In 1970, Don Henley moved to Los Angeles after his band, Shiloh, signed with Amos Records. He eventually met Glenn Frey, and they were recruited to serve as the backing band for Linda Ronstadt. This collaboration served as the catalyst for the pair to form their own group. Together with Randy Meisner and Bernie Leadon, they founded the Eagles in 1971.
The band signed a recording contract with Asylum Records and released their first album in 1972. Don Henley served as a drummer and vocalist, co-writing many of the band's most recognizable tracks, often alongside Glenn Frey. Some of the songs he sang lead vocals on include Witchy Woman, Desperado, Best of My Love, One of These Nights, Hotel California, and Life in the Fast Lane. The group achieved immense success, winning six Grammy Awards and becoming one of the highest-selling American bands in history. Following a breakup in 1980, the band reunited in 1994 and continued to tour and record until the death of Glenn Frey in 2016.
Solo career and music
Following the initial breakup of the Eagles in 1980, Don Henley started on a solo career. His first solo studio album, I Can't Stand Still, arrived in 1982. The single Dirty Laundry, released in early 1983, reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned Gold certification for sales exceeding one million copies in the United States. He continued his solo work with the 1984 release of Building the Perfect Beast, which featured the hit The Boys of Summer.
His third studio album, The End of the Innocence, was released in 1989 and included the title track, which was a collaboration with Bruce Hornsby. This record earned him a Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance in 1990. Throughout his solo career, he has sold over 10 million albums worldwide, secured eight top 40 singles, and received two Grammy Awards and five MTV Video Music Awards. Beyond his musical endeavors, he has supported various political and environmental causes, most especially the Walden Woods Project.
Birthday and age
Don Henley was born on July 22, 1947, which makes Don 79 years old today. That birthday falls under the Leo sign. Don shares the date with 43 other famous people.
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