Solo Albums of Glenn Frey and Don Henley Ranked Best to Worst

During the classic rock era, several iconic bands produced members whose solo careers did not achieve the same level of success. For example, legendary figures like Mick Jagger and Keith Richards from the Rolling Stones, Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins from Genesis, Steve Perry of Journey, as well as David Gilmour and Roger Waters from Pink Floyd, often went many years without releasing solo material. This trend also applied to the prominent songwriters and vocalists of the Eagles.

Between 1972 and 1979, Glenn Frey and Don Henley contributed to six successful Eagles albums in a mere eight years. However, when it came to their individual projects, they only managed to release ten solo albums combined after their time with the band. An unexpected reunion in 2007 resulted in the release of Long Road Out of Eden, a double album that, while well-received, seemed to deplete their creative resources moving forward.

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Frey’s solo career came to a close shortly after with the 2012 release of After Hours, which marked his return to the music scene after a long hiatus, since 1992’s Strange Weather. Tragically, he passed away in 2016, leaving behind a limited discography. Similarly, Don Henley has not released new music since the untimely death of Frey. His last album, Cass County, released in 2015, continued the trend of exploring genres outside of his well-known sound, much like After Hours.

For a deeper understanding of their artistic journeys, we present a comprehensive ranked list of Glenn Frey and Don Henley solo albums, highlighting their evolution, including the times they ventured far beyond the rock genre.

Throughout his solo endeavors, Frey shifted towards his R&B roots, while retaining only occasional hints of his previous country-rock style. In contrast, Henley embraced a broader musical spectrum, integrating electronic instrumentation and the polished production techniques that characterized the music of the decade following the Eagles’ split. This exploration led to some noteworthy projects that resonated with audiences.

However, the anticipation surrounding their solo releases often brought with it a significant amount of pressure, which might explain why both artists chose to remain quiet for extended periods. The expectation for new music from such iconic figures can create a challenging environment, making it hard to produce work that meets both their standards and audience expectations.

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