1972 Debut Album 'Eagles' Ranked Among Best Albums of All Time

Though it's their 1976 album Hotel California that's generally considered their best work, American rock band Eagles first broke into the rock scene with their self-titled debut four years earlier. The album, which is often overshadowed by other contemporary releases, was an enormous success that paved the way for one of the defining rock voices of the '70s.

Eagles had only just been formed in 1971 when they were sent by record executive David Geffen to Colorado in order to bond and develop their sound. While the band clearly had talent, it took a while for them to find the unique country/rock sound that would eventually drive them to the top of the charts.

Lead singer Glenn Frey and lead guitarist Bernie Leadon initially had different visions of the band, with Frey seeking a classic rock-and-roll sound while Leadon wanted to incorporate more elements of traditional country music. During their time in Colorado, they managed to blend the two genres together and eventually persuaded record producer Glyn Johns to produce their debut record (via History of the Eagles).

Initially, Johns had been put off by the band's lack of cohesion when they first arrived in Colorado. Frey and Leadon's differing visions of the group made it difficult to market them as a rock band, but that all changed when he heard them play their song "Take the Devil".

"There it was, the sound," Johns said. "Extraordinary blend of voices, wonderful harmony sound, just stunning."

The band travelled to London with Johns to record the album, taking turns providing harmonies and experimenting with acoustic instrumentals to blend the Frey's preferred classic rock sound with elements of country and blues.

The record was an immediate success, with critics praising the unique production and charming vocal performances from the entire band. It rose to No. 22 on the Billboard 200 in its second week, cementing the Eagles as undisputed rising stars within the rock world. Lead singles "Take it Easy" and "Witchy Woman" also broke into the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In the years since its release, Eagles has frequently been ranked among the greatest albums ever recorded. Rolling Stone placed the record at No. 207 on their famous ranking, making Eagles one of the few bands to have multiple entries on the list alongside Hotel California.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published June 1, 2026 at 9:19 AM.