Henley, Eagles receive postponed honor

By Staff Reports

Surviving founders of the Eagles, which included Linden native Don Henley, were recipients of the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors in early December.
The CBS broadcast of this year’s honors was Dec. 27.
Ringo Starr, Kings of Leon, Bob Seger, along with Vince Gill, Juanes, Steve Vai paid tribute to the Eagles, -- one of the best-selling rock bands of all time -- at what has been called the nation’s “classiest” awards program.
President Obama praised the group for both their talent and impact on culture. “Their legacies are measured not just in terms of works of art but [also] the lives they’ve touched,”
The highlight of the tribute was Seger’s performance of “Heartache Tonight,” which he co-wrote with Henley, the late Glenn Frey -- a founding member of the band -- and J.D. Souther and was recorded by the Eagles. 
Henley was the drummer, vocalist and songwriter for the Eagles from 1971–1980, when the band broke up, and from 1994–2016, when they reunited. He sang the lead vocals on Eagles hits such as “Witchy Woman,” “Desperado,” “Best of My Love,” “One of These Nights,” , “Hotel California,” “Life in the Fast Lane,” “The Long Run” and “Get Over It.”
He also has enjoyed a successful solo career with hits such as “Dirty Laundry,” “The Boys of Summer,” “All She Wants to Do Is Dance,” “The Heart of the Matter,” “The Last Worthless Evening,” “Sunset Grill,” “Not Enough Love in the World” and “The End of the Innocence.”
The Eagles were scheduled to receive their Kennedy Center Honor in  2015, but the tribute was postponed in hopes that Frey would recover to be at the star-studded gala. 
Unfortunately, on Jan. 18, 2016,  Frey passed away. Henley noted the honor was bittersweet.
“I want to dedicate this evening to our brother Glenn,” Henley said as the band accepted its honors.. “He was so much a part of our success. He was the driving force in this band. He believed in the American dream.”