It's mind-boggling to consider that the best-selling album in American history is a hastily compiled 'Greatest Hits' collection, especially when you learn that the band had little to no say in its creation. But here's the twist: should this iconic album be classified as country music? Let's explore this intriguing question on the 50th anniversary of The Eagles' 'Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975)'.
This album's success is truly astonishing, achieving 40x Platinum certification by the RIAA, a feat so rare it's dubbed 'Diamond'. It's outsold Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' by 6 million copies, though Thriller briefly claimed the top spot after Jackson's passing in 2009. The Eagles' compilation regained its crown in 2018, showcasing its enduring appeal.
The compilation's release was a contentious decision made by the band's manager, Irving Azoff, without the band's consent. The Eagles were unhappy, viewing it as a cash grab that disrupted the flow of their albums, particularly with songs like 'Tequila Sunrise' and 'Desperado', which weren't even released as singles and felt out of place.
However, this release inadvertently bought the band time to refine their next masterpiece, 'Hotel California', the third highest-selling album in the US. This album is often seen as The Eagles' shift from their country roots to a more rock-oriented sound, marked by the addition of Joe Walsh and the departure of Bernie Leadon, a bluegrass musician and founding member who backed Linda Ronstadt during her country phase with the Corvettes. Leadon also played with Gram Parsons in the Flying Burrito Brothers and Dillard & Clark, featuring former Byrds member Gene Clark and banjoist Doug Dillard.
As we trace the band's roots, it's clear that if 'Their Greatest Hits' were released today, it would undoubtedly be classified as country, perhaps even traditional country, rooted in Classic California Country. Songs like 'Lyin' Eyes' and 'Peaceful Easy Feeling' were marketed as country, and 'Tequila Sunrise' and 'Desperado' have undeniable country influences, despite being labeled rock due to the band's overall genre association.
The album's resurgence in the early '90s, coinciding with the rise of country music's 'Class of '89' (Alan Jackson, Travis Tritt, Garth Brooks, and Brooks & Dunn), further solidifies its country credentials. Four of these artists participated in the 1993 tribute album 'Common Threads: The Songs of The Eagles', and Travis Tritt's collaboration with Irving Azoff led to The Eagles' reunion.
While The Eagles are primarily known as a rock band, the country appeal of 'Their Greatest Hits' cannot be overstated. It has introduced millions to country sounds, ensuring its popularity across generations. Country music's influence on this iconic album is undeniable, and it deserves recognition for its foundational role in America's most beloved album.
And this leads us to a thought-provoking question: should we reconsider how we categorize music, especially when genres blend and evolve? Share your thoughts below, and let's spark a conversation about the ever-changing landscape of music genres and the impact of these classifications.
