In 1969, Bob Seger gave Glenn Frey his first big break. 10 years later, they wrote a number one hit together
Bob Seger helped Glenn Frey early in his career, and years later contributed the chorus that helped turn Frey’s song idea into the Eagles’ hit “Heartache Tonight”. Their collaboration mattered during difficult sessions for the band’s 1979 album *The Long Run*, giving them a major success amid growing internal strain.
Frey had sung on Seger’s “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man” in 1969, an early break for the young musician. A decade later, Frey brought Seger a song framework while working on “Heartache Tonight”; Seger came up with the chorus, and Frey, JD Souther and Don Henley completed the song. It reached number one, though the article notes that the Eagles’ tensions continued and the band soon entered a prolonged period of upheaval.
In short
- Seger gave Frey an early career opportunity in 1969.
- Seger later supplied the chorus for “Heartache Tonight”.
- The Eagles’ 1979 hit came during troubled album sessions.
Explained simply
Bob Seger and Glenn Frey were American musicians whose careers became linked through the Eagles, the rock band Frey helped found. In 1969, Frey sang backing vocals on Seger’s song “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man”, an early opportunity for him as a young musician.
Frey later worked with fellow Eagles Don Henley and JD Souther on songs for the band, including “Heartache Tonight”. The Eagles were recording their 1979 album The Long Run during a period of strain within the group, so the song’s success came amid difficult working relationships.