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 77) Gilmer, Texas, U.S.
Origin	Linden, Texas, U.S.
Genres	Rock country rock hard rock pop rock soft rock folk rock
Occupation(s)	Musician singer songwriter record producer
Instruments	Vocals drums percussion 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 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.

Don Henley sang lead vocals on many of the Eagles' biggest hits. These include "Witchy Woman", "Desperado", "Best of My Love", "One of These Nights", and the iconic "Hotel California". He also sang on "Life in the Fast Lane" and "The Long Run".

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. Some of his well-known solo songs are "Dirty Laundry", "The Boys of Summer", and "The End of the Innocence".

The Eagles have sold over 150 million albums worldwide. They have won six Grammy Awards and had many number one songs and albums. 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, Don Henley has sold over 10 million albums and won two Grammy Awards. He has also won five MTV Video Music Awards.

Besides music, Henley has also helped with several environmental and social causes. One of his most notable efforts is the Walden Woods Project. From 1994 to 2016, he balanced his time between touring with the Eagles and his solo music.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Donald Hugh Henley was born on July 22, 1947. He grew up in a small town in northeast Texas called Linden. When he was in high school, he first played football. However, 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 moved to the percussion section.

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

While still in high school, Henley joined a Dixieland band. He played with his childhood friend Richard Bowden. Later, they formed a band called the Four Speeds. In 1964, the band changed its name to Felicity. They released a song written by Henley called "Hurtin'". In 1969, they met fellow Texan Kenny Rogers, a famous musician. Rogers 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.

Shiloh eventually moved to Los Angeles in 1970. They recorded an album there. However, the band broke up in 1971 due to disagreements.

Forming the Eagles

In Los Angeles, Don Henley met Glenn Frey. They were both signed to the same record label. They were asked to join Linda Ronstadt's backup band for her tour in 1971. While touring, Henley and Frey decided to form their own band. They were joined by Randy Meisner and Bernie Leadon. These two musicians also played in Ronstadt's band. Together, they formed the legendary band, the Eagles.

The Eagles' Success

Henley performing with Eagles in 2010

The Eagles officially formed in 1971. They signed with David Geffen's label, Asylum Records. Their first album came out in 1972. It included the hit song "Take It Easy". Don Henley often wrote songs for the band, usually with Glenn Frey. "Witchy Woman" was one of his first big hits with the band. The song "Desperado" marked the start of his strong songwriting partnership with Frey.

Henley sang lead vocals on many of the band's most popular songs. These include "Desperado", "Witchy Woman", "Best of My Love", "One of These Nights", and "Hotel California". The Eagles won many Grammy Awards in the 1970s. They became one of the most successful rock bands of all time. They are also among the top-selling bands in America. In fact, they are the highest-selling American band in U.S. history.

The band broke up in 1980 after a difficult tour. There were also personal disagreements during the recording of their album The Long Run. The Eagles 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 since reuniting.

Don Henley's Solo Career

After the Eagles' breakup, Don Henley began his solo career. He had a duet with Stevie Nicks (his girlfriend at the time) called "Leather and Lace" in 1982. Henley's first solo album, I Can't Stand Still, sold well. The song "Dirty Laundry" became a big hit in early 1983. It reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This song was Henley's biggest solo hit and was nominated for a Grammy Award.

In 1984, he released the album Building the Perfect Beast. A song from this album, "The Boys of Summer", 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 (1989), was even more successful. The album's main song, "The End of the Innocence", was a collaboration with Bruce Hornsby. It reached No. 8 as a single. Other popular songs from this album were "The Heart of the Matter" and "New York Minute". Henley won another Grammy Award in 1990 for "The End of the Innocence".

In 1995, Henley released the song "The Garden of Allah". This song promoted his greatest hits album, Actual Miles: Henley's Greatest Hits. MusicRadar, a music website, has called Henley one of the greatest singing drummers of all time. In his live shows, Henley sometimes plays drums and sings at the same time for Eagles songs. For his solo songs, he often plays electric guitar or just sings.

Recent Solo Work

Don Henley in 2000

In 2000, after 11 years, Henley released another solo album called Inside Job. This album reached number 7 on the Billboard 200 chart. It included new songs like "Taking You Home" and "Everything Is Different Now". In 2002, a live DVD called Don Henley: Live Inside Job was released. In 2005, Henley opened for 10 of Stevie Nicks' concerts.

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

In 2011, Henley started working on a new solo album. This album featured country songs and special guests. His album, Cass County, was released on September 25, 2015. In 2015, Henley received the "Lifetime Achievement" award at the East Texas Music Awards.

Environmental and Social Causes

In 1990, Don Henley started the Walden Woods Project. This project helps protect "Walden Woods" in Massachusetts from being developed. The Thoreau Institute at Walden Woods was created in 1998. It helps with 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. Some of the money from its sales went to the Walden Woods Project. In 2005, Henley held a concert with Elton John to raise money. They bought part of Walden Woods to turn it into a hiking trail.

Henley also helped start the non-profit Caddo Lake Institute (CLI) in 1993. This group supports ecological education and research. As part of the Caddo Lake Coalition, CLI helps protect the Texas wetland where Henley spent much of his childhood. Because of their success, Caddo Lake was added to the Ramsar Convention's list of important wetlands. This is an international agreement to protect wetlands.

In 2000, Henley co-founded the Recording Artists' Coalition. This group works to protect musicians' rights in the music industry. He has spoken to the U.S. Senate about these issues. Henley also supports other charities, like The Race to Erase MS.

Personal Life

Don Henley has had several relationships. In the 1970s, he was involved with Lorelei Shellist. Their breakup inspired parts of the song "Hotel California" and the song "Wasted Time". Later, he dated Fleetwood Mac singer Stevie Nicks for about two years. He was also in a three-year relationship with actress and model Lois Chiles.

In the early 1980s, Henley was engaged to actress Maren Jensen. His first solo album, I Can't Stand Still, was dedicated to her. They separated in 1986.

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

In 2012, Don Henley was estimated to be one of the wealthiest drummers in the world. His fortune was around $200 million.

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 Nominations

Don Henley has won two Grammy Awards. He also received the MusiCares Person of the Year award, which is related to the Grammys. He has won several MTV Music Video Awards. These include 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 other Eagles members Timothy B. Schmit, Joe Walsh, and Glenn Frey. In 2015, Henley was honored with the Trailblazer Award from the Americana Music Honors & Awards.

Grammys

See also

In Spanish: Don Henley para niños