Don Henley

Don Henley is a founding member of the Eagles, serving as the band's songwriter, drummer, and vocalist. Henley contributed to shaping the Eagles' sound, which blends country, folk, R&B, rock, and pop, and helped define American rock music. He sang lead vocals on Eagles songs such as "Witchy Woman," "Desperado," "Best of My Love," "One of These Nights," "Hotel California," "Life in the Fast Lane," and "The Long Run." The Eagles' "Greatest Hits 1971–1975" remains the top-selling album in the United States, and "Hotel California" is among the best-selling albums, certified 26-times Platinum by the RIAA.

The Eagles have sold more than 150 million albums worldwide, achieved six No. 1 albums, and topped the singles charts five times. The band has won six Grammy Awards, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in its first year of eligibility, and received the Kennedy Center Honors. Following the death of co-founder Glenn Frey, Henley became the Eagles' only remaining consistent founding member.

During the Eagles' hiatus, Henley launched a solo career with the gold-certified album "I Can't Stand Still," featuring the hit single "Dirty Laundry," which critiques the media. His solo breakthrough came with "The Boys of Summer" from the album "Building the Perfect Beast," accompanied by a video that won the MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year. Henley's third album, "The End of the Innocence," achieved multi-platinum status. He later released "Cass County," an album that debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and featured collaborations with artists such as Vince Gill, Merle Haggard, Mick Jagger, Alison Krauss, Dolly Parton, and Trisha Yearwood.

Henley is also known for his philanthropic work, particularly in environmental conservation and artists' rights. He founded the Walden Woods Project, a preservation and educational initiative, and the Caddo Lake Institute in East Texas, a nonprofit focused on protecting Caddo Lake. Henley has been active in the Recording Artists' Coalition and has testified before the U.S. Senate to advocate for the rights of recording artists. His songwriting and influence continue to make him a significant figure in rock music and music industry advocacy.