The 1976 album Don Henley called “the end of a phase” for the Eagles

Eagles released *Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975)* in 1976, after only four of their six albums, despite the band being early in its career. Don Henley said the group had little control over the decision, which was made by their label, Asylum Records.

The band could choose the tracks, running order and artwork, but Henley criticised the eagle-skull sleeve and was not fully satisfied with the creative choices. He also saw the compilation as marking the end of the Eagles’ first five years and the start of a new era; a later compilation in 1982 added material from their subsequent albums.