Don Henley facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Don Henley
Henley performing with the Eagles in 2019
Background information
Birth name	Donald Hugh Henley
Born	(1947-07-22) July 22, 1947 (age 78) Gilmer, Texas, U.S.
Origin	Linden, Texas, U.S.
Genres	Rock country rock pop rock hard rock folk rock
Occupation(s)	Musician songwriter
Instruments	Vocals drums guitar
Years active	1970–present
Labels	Asylum Geffen Warner Bros. Capitol

Donald Hugh Henley (born July 22, 1947) is an American musician. He is a founding member of the famous rock band, the Eagles. In the band, he plays the drums and is one of the main singers. He is also the only member who has been with the Eagles continuously since the beginning.

Henley sang lead vocals on many well-known Eagles songs. These include "Witchy Woman", "Desperado", "Best of My Love", "One of These Nights", and "Hotel California". He also sang on "Life in the Fast Lane", "The Long Run", and "Get Over It".

After the Eagles took a break in 1980, Henley started his own solo music career. His first solo album, I Can't Stand Still, came out in 1982. He has released five solo studio albums, two compilation albums, and one live DVD. Some of his popular solo songs are "Dirty Laundry", "The Boys of Summer", "All She Wants to Do Is Dance", and "The End of the Innocence".

The Eagles have sold over 150 million albums around the world. They have won six Grammy Awards and had many hit songs. They were added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. The Eagles are known as the highest-selling American band in history. As a solo artist, Henley has sold over 10 million albums worldwide. He has won two Grammy Awards and five MTV Video Music Awards. Overall, with the Eagles and as a solo artist, Henley has had 25 songs reach the top 40 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. In 2008, Rolling Stone magazine ranked him as the 87th greatest singer of all time.

Henley has also helped start several important environmental and social projects. One of these is the Walden Woods Project. From 1994 until now, he has balanced his time between playing with the Eagles and working on his solo music.

Early Life and Musical Start

Growing Up in Texas

Donald Hugh Henley was born in Gilmer, Texas, on July 22, 1947. He grew up in a small town in northeast Texas called Linden. His parents were Hughlene and C. J. Henley. He has English, Scottish, and Irish family roots.

Henley went to Linden-Kildare High School. He first played football, but his coach suggested he try something else because he was not very big. So, he joined the high school band instead. He started by playing the trombone and then switched to the drums.

After finishing high school in 1965, Henley went to Stephen F. Austin State University. Later, he attended North Texas State University from 1967 to 1969. He left college to spend time with his father, who was very ill.

First Bands and Moving to Los Angeles

While still in high school, Henley joined a band with his friend Richard Bowden and another school friend, Jerry Surratt. They first called themselves the Four Speeds. In 1964, the band changed its name to Felicity. They recorded a song written by Henley called "Hurtin'".

In 1969, they met Kenny Rogers, a famous musician from Texas, who became interested in their band. They changed their name again to Shiloh. They recorded some songs for Rogers, and "Jennifer (O' My Lady)" was their first single. Sadly, Jerry Surratt passed away in an accident before the song was released.

The band members then included Henley, Richard Bowden, Michael Bowden, Al Perkins, and Jim Ed Norman. Kenny Rogers helped Shiloh sign with Amos Records. In June 1970, the band moved to Los Angeles. They recorded their album, Shiloh, produced by Rogers. The band broke up in 1971 due to disagreements about their music and leadership.

In Los Angeles, Henley met Glenn Frey. They were both signed to the same record label. In 1971, they were asked to join Linda Ronstadt's touring band. While touring, Henley and Frey decided to form their own band. They were joined by Randy Meisner and Bernie Leadon, who also played in Ronstadt's band. This group became the Eagles.

The Eagles: A Legendary Band

Henley performing with Eagles in 2010

Forming and Early Success

The Eagles officially formed in 1971. They signed with David Geffen's label, Asylum Records. Their first album came out in 1972 and included the hit song "Take It Easy". Don Henley often worked with Glenn Frey to write many of the band's most famous songs. "Witchy Woman" was one of his first big hits, co-written with Bernie Leadon. His songwriting partnership with Frey really began with the song "Desperado".

Henley was the lead singer on many of the Eagles' popular songs. These include "Desperado", "Witchy Woman", "Best of My Love", "One of These Nights", and "Hotel California". He also sang on "The Long Run" and "Life in the Fast Lane". The Eagles won many Grammy Awards in the 1970s. They became one of the most successful rock bands ever. They are also among the top-selling bands in America and the highest-selling American band in U.S. history.

Reunion and Continued Tours

The band broke up in 1980 after a difficult tour and some disagreements. They reunited 14 years later in 1994. Don Henley continues to tour and record with the Eagles. Their most recent album, Long Road Out of Eden, was released in 2007. The band has had many successful tours, like the Hell Freezes Over Tour (1994–1996) and the Long Road Out of Eden Tour.

In 2013, Henley announced the History of the Eagles Tour. This tour started in July 2013 and ended in July 2015. At the 2016 Grammy Awards, the Eagles and Jackson Browne performed "Take It Easy" to honor Glenn Frey, who had passed away. Henley has mentioned that in rock bands, the main songwriters often have the most influence.

Don Henley's Solo Career

First Solo Albums and Hits

After the Eagles' initial breakup, Henley started his solo career. He sang a duet with Stevie Nicks called "Leather and Lace" in 1982. Henley's first solo album, I Can't Stand Still, sold well. The song "Dirty Laundry" reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in early 1983. It was a very big solo hit for him and was nominated for a Grammy Award.

In 1984, he released the album Building the Perfect Beast. The song "The Boys of Summer" from this album reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. The music video for this song won several MTV Video Music Awards, including Best Video of the Year. Henley also won a Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance for the song. Other popular songs from the album included "All She Wants to Do Is Dance" and "Sunset Grill".

Henley receiving a Grammy in 1990

Henley's next album, The End of the Innocence, released in 1989, was even more successful. The album's title song, which he worked on with Bruce Hornsby, reached No. 8 as a single. "The Heart of the Matter" and "New York Minute" were also popular on the radio. Henley won another Best Male Rock Vocal Performance Grammy Award in 1990 for "The End of the Innocence".

Fighting for Artists' Rights

Henley spent many years dealing with legal issues related to his record labels. In 1993, he had a public disagreement with Geffen Records. He wanted to end his contract, but the company said he still owed them more albums. Henley believed that artists should have more control over their music and careers. He became a strong supporter of musicians' rights. He spoke out against record labels that he felt did not pay artists fairly.

Henley eventually settled his disagreements with Geffen Records. He also helped the Eagles win a legal battle against another record company that wanted to release a new Greatest Hits album without their permission. During a break from recording new music, Henley sang on songs for other artists. He provided background vocals for Trisha Yearwood's hit "Walkaway Joe" and duetted with Patty Smyth on "Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough".

In 2002, Henley became the head of the Recording Artists' Coalition. This group works to protect musicians' rights and change rules in recording contracts. Henley believes that copyright laws need to be updated to better protect artists and their creative work.

Recent Solo Work and Albums

Don Henley in 2000

In 2000, after 11 years, Henley released another solo album called Inside Job. It reached number 7 on the Billboard 200 chart. It included new songs like "Taking You Home" and "Everything Is Different Now". He performed songs from this album on a VH1 Storytellers episode. A live DVD, Don Henley: Live Inside Job, was released in 2002.

Henley has also performed duets with other artists. He sang "Calling Me" with Kenny Rogers in 2006 and "Break Each Other's Hearts Again" with Reba McEntire in 2007.

In 2011, Henley began working on a solo album of country songs. It featured special guests like Ronnie Dunn and Alison Krauss. His album, Cass County, was released on September 25, 2015. In 2015, Henley received the "Lifetime Achievement" award at the East Texas Music Awards.

Advocacy and Philanthropy

Protecting Nature and Artists

In 1990, Don Henley started the Walden Woods Project. This project helps protect the historic "Walden Woods" area from being developed. The Thoreau Institute at Walden Woods was created in 1998 to support research and education about Henry David Thoreau, a famous writer. In 1993, a music album called Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles was released, and some of the money from sales went to the Walden Woods Project. In 2005, Henley held a concert with Elton John to help buy more land in Walden Woods and turn it into hiking trails.

Henley also helped start the non-profit Caddo Lake Institute (CLI) in 1993. This group supports education and research about the environment. CLI helps protect the Texas wetlands of Caddo Lake, where Henley spent much of his childhood. Because of their work, Caddo Lake was added to the Ramsar Convention's list of important wetlands. This international treaty helps protect wetlands around the world.

In 2000, Henley co-founded the Recording Artists' Coalition. This group works to protect musicians' rights against common practices in the music industry. He has spoken to the United States Congress about these issues, advocating for artists.

Supporting Various Causes

Henley has supported many other charitable causes. These include The Race to Erase MS and the Rhythm and Blues Foundation. He is also a member of the CuriosityStream Advisory Board.

Henley has been a supporter of the Democratic Party throughout his life. He has donated to political campaigns for Democrats. The 2007 Eagles album Long Road Out of Eden includes songs that express his views on important issues. Henley believes that everyone has a duty to help care for our natural environment. He encourages simple actions like not littering.

Personal Life

In 1995, Don Henley married Sharon Summerall. Many famous musicians performed at their wedding, including Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Billy Joel, John Fogerty, Jackson Browne, Sheryl Crow, Glenn Frey, and Tony Bennett. Henley later wrote the song "Everything Is Different Now" for his wife. Sharon Summerall has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. They have three children together: two daughters and a son.

In 2012, Henley was estimated to be one of the wealthiest drummers in the world.

Discography

Studio albums

• I Can't Stand Still (1982)
• Building the Perfect Beast (1984)
• The End of the Innocence (1989)
• Inside Job (2000)
• Cass County (2015)

Awards and Recognition

Don Henley has won two Grammys and another award related to the Grammys, the MusiCares Person of the Year. He has also won several other awards, such as MTV Music Video Awards for "The Boys Of Summer" in 1985 and "The End of the Innocence" in 1990.

In May 2012, Henley received an honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music. He received this award along with his Eagles bandmates Timothy B. Schmit, Joe Walsh, and Glenn Frey. In 2015, Henley was honored with the Trailblazer Award from the Americana Music Honors & Awards.

Grammy Awards

See also

In Spanish: Don Henley para niños