# The era Don Henley called the worst part of his career: “The whole transition”

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/the-era-don-henley-called-the-worst-part-of-his-career-the-whole-transition/
- Published: 2026-07-19T18:15:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-08-01T06:16:05+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/era-don-henley-called-worst-part-of-his-career/
- Topics: Art, Culture

## Key points

- Henley struggled after the Eagles split.
- Early solo work was uncertain and difficult.
- ‘Dirty Laundry’ helped establish his solo career.

## Summary

Don Henley described the early 1980s, following the Eagles’ break-up, as the toughest transition of his career. Accustomed to working in bands, he struggled with the uncertainty of becoming a solo artist while the music industry was rapidly changing, including the rise of MTV.

His 1982 debut solo album, *I Can’t Stand Still*, initially faltered when its lead single, ‘Johnny Can’t Read’, failed to connect as hoped. Henley said he found firmer ground around 1984–85, helped particularly by songwriter and musician Danny Kortchmar; ‘Dirty Laundry’ became the breakthrough that launched his solo career.

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