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ALS, five pages, 7.25 x 10.5, July 14, 1974. Lengthy handwritten letter to a fan, reflecting on the Eagles’ first three albums, their identity as a band, his favorite and least favorite songs, and how to make it in the music industry, in part: “Well, I am flattered. Thank you for the interesting letter and the snapshot of the painting. I'd really like to see the painting. I am as good as my picture – some days – some days I'm not – depends on what I did the night before, or how long I've been on the road – things like that. Actually Glenn & Randy are better – their pictures just didn't come out right. In fact, all the pictures (the group shot) came out too blue – they didn't get the color corrected.
You have some interesting opinions about our music, some I agree with and some I don't.
I agree that Desperado is our best album, although there are a couple of weak songs on every album (which is still better than most albums). Oddly enough, our first album and our latest album both sold more than Desperado (which doesn't mean anything), but everybody tells us they like Desperado the best. We have gold records for our first & third albums and Asylum tells us that Desperado will be gold soon, so I guess people are catching on. We can be as ‘artsy’ or as ‘commercial’ as we want to be, but we believe that it’s possible to do both, that is, to make good, honest, high quality, artistic records that sell.
As for the first album I agree that ‘Peaceful Easy Feelin’ was the best tune. I also agree that ‘Early Bird’ stinks (lyrically anyway). Bernie agrees now, but he didn’t at that time. Randy did sing ‘Most of Us Are Sad’…
When Glenn & I put this band together, we decided that not only should its members be first-rate musicians, good singers & songwriters, but that also everybody should look good too. So we consciously tried to put together – not a pretty band – but a handsome band – and we did – also, for what it’s worth, were all water signs – except new member Felder, & we all have blue eyes – obviously (most of the time blue & red)…
We do not always have a choice as to what is a single. Sometimes our singles are picked by record company execs, often by the collective opinions of radio station program directors across the nation and sometimes by scientific laboratory tests using such devices as galvanic skin response, pulse & respiration rate, etc. – this method was used to pick ‘Already Gone’…
If you really want to get into this trip, first I suggest that you read a book called ‘This Business of Music’ by Sidney Shemel and M. William Krasilovsky. It is published by Billboard Publications, Inc. After that, you work some small clubs up and down the coast and get yourself a reputation, then a good personal manager (most of the good, successful ones are here in L.A.), he, in turn will get you an agent, and a recording contract. Also, you will need lots of drugs, neuroses, a couple of good doctors, a big ego, pride, a psychiatrist, unbending will, a few good breaks, a lot of patience, time, tons of luck, a certain amount of cunning & deviousness, reasonable intelligence plus some insanity. ‘Don't let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy.’” Henley adds a quick postscript: “You might need a little talent too.” In very fine condition. A wonderfully detailed response from the band’s legendary drummer dating to the band’s prime, some four months after the release of their third studio album, On the Border.
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