Eagles band members then and now: How they have changed over time
The Eagles band members then and now reveal a story of evolution and legacy. The original members were Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon, and Randy Meisner. After a brief hiatus, the American rock band reunited, with new members joining the group.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- The Eagles band was formed in 1971.
- In 1974, Don Felder joined as a guitarist, while Bernie Leadon left in 1975 and was replaced by Joe Walsh.
- Randy Meisner left the group in 1977 and was replaced by Timothy B. Schmit on bass and vocals.
- The band disbanded in 1980 but reunited in 1994.
- Glenn Frey passed away in 2016, and his son Deacon Frey and Vince Gill joined the group.
Eagles band members then and now
The Eagles' albums, One of These Nights and The Long Run, solidified their place as one of the most successful bands of their era. They won multiple Grammy Awards and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Below are the members who contributed to the band's success.
| Member | Role | Duration |
| Glenn Frey | Guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter | 1971–2016 |
| Don Henley | Drummer, lead singer, songwriter | 1971–date |
| Bernie Leadon | Multiple instruments | 1971–1975 |
| Randy Meisner | Bassist | 1971–1977 |
| Don Felder | Lead guitarist | 1974–2001 |
| Joe Walsh | Guitarist, singer | 1975–date |
| Timothy B. Schmit | Bassist, vocalist | 1977–date |
| Deacon Frey | Frontman, vocals, guitar | 2017–2022 |
| Vince Gill | Vocalist, guitarist | 2017–date |
| Chris Holt | Guitarist | 2025 |
Glenn Frey
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Glenn Lewis Frey
- Date of birth: 6 November 1948
- Date of death: 18 January 2016
- Age: 67 years old (as of January 2016)
- Place of birth: Detroit, Michigan, United States
Glenn Frey was a true cornerstone of the Eagles from 1971 until his passing in 2016. He was not just a lead singer and frontman but also a crucial part of their sound and success. Frey teamed up with others after a stint in Linda Ronstadt's backup band to make the band. He played guitar and keyboards, sang, and co-wrote many of their biggest hits.
Frey was married twice, first to artist Janie Beggs from 1983 to 1988. He later married Cindy Millican, a dancer and choreographer, in 1990. The two had three children: Taylor, Deaco, and Otis. He sadly passed away on 18 January 2016 due to complications from pneumonia.
Don Henley
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- Full name: Donald Hugh Henley
- Date of birth: 22 July 1947
- Age: 78 years old (as of August 2025)
- Place of birth: Gilmer, Texas, United States
Don Henley, born in Texas in 1947, is a founding member of the Eagles along with Glenn Frey. He has been with the band since its formation in 1971, serving as their drummer, lead singer, and a key songwriter. Before the Eagles, Henley played in Linda Ronstadt's band.
Don Henley married American model Sharon Summerall in 1995. They have three children: Will Henley, Annabel Henley, and Julia Sophia Henley. The American musician is still with the band.
Bernie Leadon
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- Full name: Bernard Matthew Leadon III
- Date of birth: 19 July 1947
- Age: 78 years old (as of August 2025)
- Place of birth: Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Bernie Leadon is also a founding Eagles member, who shaped the band's early sound. The American singer, musician, and songwriter brought a unique blend of bluegrass and country rock. Leadon played multiple instruments, from guitar and banjo to mandolin and steel guitar. He left the band in 1975 due to the band's shift towards a more rock-oriented sound.
Since leaving the Eagles, Leadon's music career has been low-key, with only two solo albums, Natural Progressions and Mirror. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Eagles in 1998, with seven current and former Eagles members.
Randy Meisner
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Randall Herman Meisner
- Date of birth: 8 March 1946
- Date of death: 26 July 2023
- Age: 77 years old (as of July 2023)
- Place of birth: Scottsbluff, Nebraska, United States
Randy Meisner was one of the four founding members and the bassist for the Eagles. Before joining the Eagles, he was with a country-rock group called Poco. Randy was uncomfortable with the constant touring and spotlight despite his vast talent, leaving the band in 1977.
Meisner was married and divorced twice to Lana Meisner and Jennifer Barton. He has three children: Dana Scott Meisner, Eric Shane Meisner, and Heather Leigh Meisner. The former musician passed away in 2023, but his contributions to the Eagles' sound are still a big part of their legacy.
Don Felder
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Donald William Felder
- Date of birth: 21 September 1947
- Age: 77 years old (as of August 2025)
- Place of birth: Gainesville, Florida, United States
Don Felder joined the band in 1974 as lead guitarist. He is famous for his guitar work and for helping to write some of their most iconic songs. Felder co-wrote Hotel California, a defining song in rock history. He also contributed his distinctive guitar sound to hits such as Life in the Fast Lane.
Don left the group in 2001 after legal disagreements with the other members. However, his contributions to the band's legacy are immense and unforgettable. The popular guitarist was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the rest of the band in 1998.
Joe Walsh
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- Full name: Joseph Fidler Walsh
- Date of birth: 20 November 1947
- Age: 77 years old (as of August 2025)
- Place of birth: Wichita, Kansas, United States
Joe Walsh is an American guitarist and singer-songwriter who joined the Eagles in 1975. His arrival brought a more rock-oriented edge to their existing country-rock style. Walsh was with the band when they released Hotel California.
After the band disbanded in 1980, Joe continued his solo career, releasing his first solo album, There Goes the Neighbourhood. He married Marjorie Bach in 2008, having been married and divorced four times before. The guitarist has four children: Lucy, Emma, Kristen, Alden, and Emerson Walsh.
Timothy B. Schmit
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Timothy Bruce Schmit
- Date of birth: 30 October 1947
- Age: 77 years old (as of August 2025)
- Place of birth: Oakland, California, United States
Timothy B. Schmit is a popular musician and songwriter best known as the bassist and vocalist for the Eagles. He joined the band in 1977, replacing Randy Meisner. Before the Eagles, Timothy had a long and respected career playing for the Poco band.
Timothy B. Schmit has been married to Jean Cromie since 1983. They have three children: Jeddrah Schmit, Owen Schmit, and Ben Schmit. Schmit lives in Calabasas, California, and is still with the band.
Deacon Frey
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Deacon Frey
- Date of birth: 17 April 1993
- Age: 32 years old (as of August 2025)
- Place of birth: Los Angeles, California, United States
Deacon Frey is one of the more recent members of the Eagles. After almost five years of carrying on his father's musical legacy, he left the band in 2022 to pursue personal projects. However, Deacon returned in 2023 to participate in the band's final tour.
Vince Gill
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Vincent Grant Gill
- Date of birth: 12 April 1957
- Age: 68 years old (as of August 2025)
- Place of birth: Norman, Oklahoma, United States
Vince Gill is a respected American country music singer who joined the Eagles in 2017 after Glenn Frey's passing. He is known for his incredible guitar skills and warm singing voice, which brought a lovely country-rock feel to the band. Gill mainly plays rhythm guitar for the Eagles, supporting their classic songs.
Vince plans to continue making his music even with the band's farewell tour. Gill is married to Amy Grant and has two children: Corrina Grant Gill and Jennifer Jerene Gill.
Chris Holt
- Full name: Christopher Holt
- Date of birth: 5 June 1972
- Age: 53 years old (as of August 2025)
- Place of birth: Dallas, Texas, United States
Chris Holt is the newest full-time touring guitarist and backing vocalist for the Eagles. He joined the band in early 2025, stepping into the big shoes of longtime guitarist Steuart Smith. During their Las Vegas residency tour kick-off, Don Henley introduced Chris Holt, a seasoned musician from Dallas, to Eagles fans.
The singer built a good reputation working with Don Henley and played with other big names like Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, and Stevie Nicks. Chris has described his new role as a "ream gig," recognising the honour of filling the shoes of past legendary guitarists.
How many original members of the Eagles are still alive?
Two of the four original members of the Eagles band are still alive. These are Don Henley and Joe Walsh. Two members, Glenn Frey and Randy Meisner, passed away in 2016 and 2023, respectively.
What happened between Don Felder and Glenn Frey?
The feud between Don Felder and Glenn Frey started from a power struggle within the Eagles regarding songwriting and financial control. This feud led to a physical altercation, and Felder was fired from the band.
Who is the lead singer for the Eagles now?
The band has several lead singers, including original Don Henley and newcomers Vince Gill and Deacon Frey.
How old are the Eagles band members
The current members' ages are as follows:
| Name | Age (as of August 2025) |
| Don Henley | 78 |
| Bernie Leadon | 78 |
| Don Felder | 77 |
| Timothy B. Schmit | 77 |
| Deacon Frey | 32 |
| Vince Gill | 68 |
| Chris Holt | 53 |
The Eagles band members then and now show how the lineup has transformed, with original greats like Don Henley and Joe Walsh joining forces with newer talents such as Vince Gill and Deacon Frey. Recent additions like Chris Holt ensure their iconic sound continues to captivate new generations.
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Proofreading by Kola Muhammed, copy editor at Legit.ng.
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