Don Henley said former Eagles guitarist Bernie Leadon was never fully suited to the band’s increasingly rock-oriented direction, arguing that Leadon lacked familiarity with the “dirty” sound of rock guitar. The comments help explain Leadon’s departure and the Eagles’ subsequent shift from country rock towards a more conventional rock style.

Leadon brought bluegrass and country influences, including banjo, to early Eagles material such as ‘Peaceful Easy Feeling’, ‘Bitter Creek’ and ‘Journey of the Sorcerer’. Henley said the band believed replacement Joe Walsh could handle both ballads and rock songs; after Leadon left, the group developed the sound that culminated in Hotel California.