# In 1971, Glenn Frey joined a backing band. Decades later, he called it a masterpiece album “for all time”

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/in-1971-glenn-frey-joined-a-backing-band-decades-later-he-called-it-a-masterpiece-album-for-all-time/
- Published: 2026-10-23T15:03:59+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-23T15:38:26+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/1971-album-glenn-frey-joined-a-masterpiece-album/
- Topics: Entertainment, Music

## Key points

- Ronstadt helped bring the future Eagles together.
- Frey praised her early solo albums.
- *Heart Like a Wheel* became her breakthrough hit.

## Summary

In 1971, Glenn Frey and Don Henley joined Linda Ronstadt’s touring band, where they began to see country rock as the direction they wanted to pursue. Ronstadt supported their plan to form a group, helped connect them with Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner, and gave the new band space to rehearse. The story highlights her often overlooked role in the Eagles’ beginnings.

Frey later praised Ronstadt’s music, calling one of her albums “an album for all time” at her 2014 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction. He said her four solo albums released between 1969 and 1973 laid the groundwork for 1974’s *Heart Like a Wheel*, her breakthrough record and a number-one hit. Ronstadt had also recruited the future Eagles members to play on her 1971 album.

---
Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.