1972 Rock Classic Ranked No. 1 Defines the 'Soft-Rock Highway Sound'
On June 1, 1972, four musicians from Linda Ronstadt's backing band released their first album together as the Eagles.
More than five decades later, the self-titled record still stands as one of the strongest debuts in American rock, with some critics arguing it helped define the "soft-rock highway sound."
Before forming the band, Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner were all part of Ronstadt's backing group. The four musicians worked together on her third solo album, and after David Geffen founded Asylum Records, he quickly signed them as one of his first acts.
A month before the album came out, the Eagles released their first single, "Take It Easy." It hit No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 by July 22, 1972, which was a strong start for a new band trying to break into a market dominated by acts like The Doobie Brothers and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
The second single, "Witchy Woman," peaked at No. 9, making it the highest-charting hit. "Peaceful Easy Feeling" followed later that year, reaching No. 22. The album also landed at No. 22 on the Billboard 200.
While the record was a commercial success in its day, critics are still talking about it decades later. In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked it No. 207 on its updated "500 Best Albums of All Time" list, alongside several other Eagles records.
"This debut created a new template for laid-back L.A. country-rock style," Rolling Stone wrote at the time. "Behind the band's mellow message - ‘Take It Easy,' ‘Peaceful Easy Feeling' - was a relentless drive."
Fans feel the same way, too. One post in the subreddit r/LetsTalkMusic made the case that the debut "Still Defines the Soft-Rock Highway Sound," calling it one of those "strange historical moments" where a band "arrives fully formed."
"These weren't songs designed to overwhelm you," the user wrote. "They were designed to move with you."
Despite their chart success, the Eagles broke up in 1980 after six studio albums and ten years together. They reunited more than once over the years, going through lineup changes and a few hiatuses.
In 2007, they released Long Road Out of Eden, their first album of new material in nearly 30 years.
As of today, Henley continues the Eagles' touring lineup with Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmit, and Vince Gill. Their most recent run was the 2023 "Hotel California Tour," where the band played the entire 1976 album live every night.
Related: '70s Rock Band's Concert Leaves Fan Baffled: 'I've Seen More Movement at the DMV'
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This story was originally published June 1, 2026 at 10:27 AM.