The Eagles' Final Flight: Don Henley Confirms Band's End After 53-Year Run
In a poignant new interview, Eagles co-founder Don Henley has confirmed what many fans have anticipated: the legendary rock band is approaching its final chapter. Speaking with CBS Sunday Morning, the 78-year-old musician indicated that 2026 will likely mark the end of The Eagles' remarkable five-decade journey.
A Miraculous Run Comes to a Close
"I think this year will probably be it. I've said things like that before, but I feel like we're getting toward the end. And that will be fine, too," Henley revealed during the candid conversation. The band, which first emerged onto the music scene in 1972, has enjoyed what Henley describes as "a miraculous run" spanning 53 years of performances and recordings that have left an indelible mark on American music.
The Eagles are currently wrapping up their residency at The Sphere in Las Vegas, with shows scheduled through next month. Following this engagement, they have one final major appearance confirmed at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in May. These performances represent what Henley suggests will be among the band's last before they officially call it quits.
Record-Breaking Legacy and Historic Achievements
The announcement comes as The Eagles continue to break records and cement their place in music history. Just last month, their Greatest Hits album achieved an unprecedented milestone, becoming the first record ever to sell more than 40 million copies worldwide. This remarkable achievement solidifies the compilation as the biggest-selling album of all time.
Henley offered an interesting perspective on the album's title, noting: "Greatest Hits is kind of a misnomer. It should just be called their best songs because every song on that album was not a great hit. There are a couple of songs on that album that didn't break the top 30. But they're good songs."
The band's 1976 masterpiece Hotel California maintains its own impressive standing as the third-biggest selling album in history, with 28 million copies sold globally. Despite performing these iconic tracks countless times over the decades, Henley emphasized that the band approaches each performance with genuine emotion and connection to their audience.
The Long Goodbye and Emotional Farewell
The Eagles first announced their farewell plans in 2023, dubbing it "The Long Goodbye" tour. At that time, the band—which includes core members Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmit, along with Vince Gill and Glenn Frey's son Deacon—expressed their gratitude to fans in a heartfelt statement: "We know how fortunate we are, and we are truly grateful. Our long run has lasted far longer than any of us ever dreamed. But, everything has its time, and the time has come for us to close the circle."
Henley reflected on the emotional significance of performing alongside Deacon Frey, who joined the band following his father's passing in 2016. "I burst with pride. I almost got tears in my eyes the other night," Henley shared, describing the moment when Deacon appears onstage with his late father's guitar. "As Mark Twain said, 'History doesn't repeat itself, but it often rhymes.' And I think that's what's happening now."
Reflections on a Remarkable Journey
In a 2013 interview with the Toronto Sun, Henley offered insights into the band's evolution and longevity. He contrasted the early years—"the highs were higher and the lows lower"—with the more stable period following their 1994 reunion. The musician also reflected on his younger self's journey from a small Texas town to Los Angeles, where he and his bandmates would eventually create some of the most enduring music in rock history.
Henley attributed the band's remarkable endurance to their collective spirit: "The groups—and the civilizations—that last are the ones who realize that the survival of the individual depends on the survival of the collective. They figure out that they must subjugate their individual egos and work co-operatively in order to preserve the common good."
As The Eagles prepare for their final performances, Henley maintains perspective on their extraordinary legacy. "It's been a miraculous run," he repeated, acknowledging both the band's historic achievements and the natural conclusion of their musical journey together. For fans worldwide, these final shows represent a last opportunity to experience the iconic harmonies and timeless songs that have defined generations of American music.
